The long aftermath: how Hiroshima and Nagasaki shaped and were shaped by postwar history
19 July 2023 - 19 July 2023
6:30PM - 8:00PM
Lecture theatre 009 Elvet Hill House, adjacent to the Oriental Museum
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Free
The two nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki unquestionably altered the course of the twentieth century. Yet their impact was not predetermined in August of 1945 but unfolded in historically-contingent ways over several decades.
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Urakami Cathedral by Shigeo Hayashi
In this lecture, Dr Adam Bronson (History Department, Durham University) will explore how and why views of the atomic bombings of these two cities changed over time. Doing so highlights the many challenges faced by the survivors of the bombs, who came to be known as hibakusha, and whose testimony is now central to the portrayal and commemoration of the events. Hibakusha of different backgrounds interacted with doctors, scientists, politicians, peace activists, and writers whose post war lives intersected with Hiroshima and Nagasaki to varying degrees. Understanding these interactions enables us to better grasp how Hiroshima and Nagasaki shaped and were shaped by post war history.
This event is delivered in partnership with the Japan Foundation.
This is a hybrid event. To attend this event online, please email oriental.museum@durham.ac.uk to obtain the link.