This nationalistic drive proceeded to birth some of the most deadly weaponry known to man. re-established their dominance and place as 1st place among the world powers. By creating the first atomic bomb and dropping it on the unsuspecting Japanese, the U.S.
It then spiraled into the fear of being replaced as a world power, and that America couldn’t bring the same firepower as the Soviet Union, as the Soviets threatened to claim the achievement of ending the war first. Initially, it was driven by fear of Germany after World War II obtaining a weapon of mass destruction, as Germany was rumored to have developed an atomic weapons program of their own. The process of developing an atomic arsenal, and eventually unveiling it to the world in horrific fashion over Japan, was driven by political and militaristic factors. Visitors then encounter the why: the decision process behind the creation and eventual bombing. By doing this the exhibit is setting up the humanity of the events to follow. As audience members walk through, they view the starting location of the Pacific Islands, the home front of the war. The Enola Gay exhibit of the Smithsonian starts by setting up the context for the events surrounding the Enola Gay plane and eventual bombing of Hiroshima.
