A weapon that derives its destructive force from the rapid release of energy caused by nuclear fission or fusion. The detonation of such a device over Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, marked the only instances of their use in warfare. These events resulted in immediate and widespread devastation, with tens of thousands of casualties, and long-term health consequences due to radiation exposure.
The deployment of these weapons brought World War II to a swift conclusion but simultaneously ushered in the nuclear age. This era was defined by a global balance of power based on the threat of mutual annihilation, significantly shaping Cold War politics and international relations. The bombings also prompted profound ethical and moral debates concerning the justifications for targeting civilian populations and the potential for future widespread destruction.
