800°C: Svenska kärnfysikers uppfattningar om atombomben under 1960-talet
2022 (Swedish)Independent thesis Basic level (degree of Bachelor), 10 credits / 15 HE credits
Student thesisAlternative title
800°C : Swedish nuclear physicists views on the atombomb in the 1960s (English)
Abstract [en]
This thesis explores what the nuclear physicists at the swedish national military research institute Försvarets forskningsanstalt (FOA) Rolf Björnerstedt & Katarina Kraft Ahnlund thought of the nuclear weapon in regards to swedish safety during the 1960s. Specifically what they thought of swedish nuclear weapons aquirement, the dangers towards the lives of the swedish population from a nuclear attack and what solutions they thought could be implemented in order to keep the population safe. These two scientists were given the mission to prepare Sweden in case an attack towards swedish soil involving nukes were to happen. The result of the thesis shows that Björnerstedt argued against acquirement of swedish nuclear weapons and criticized several of the supreme commanders (ÖB) of the swedish military. During an attack towards Sweden involving nukes Björnerstedt´s viewpoint was that certain methods such as evacutations, shelters and rescue could be used by the civil defence to save lives during an attack but could make the mission for the rest of the total defence organisation (totalförvaret) too difficult. Certain attacks involving nukes were seen as impossible to allievate such as the case of deliberate use towards the civilian population. Ahnlund researched the longterm dangers and solutions of a nuclear attack on swedish soil. She stated that among other dangers; the healthcare resources were probable to fall short during an attack as well as the lifestock. She predicted that vegetation and ecosystems would be damaged by the radiation from the bomb. Ahnlund proposed enlargement of lifestocks so that creation of nutrients could start off as fast as possible after an attack. There were also concerns that workers would abandon their part in the economy and exclusively do their part in the household; something which Ahnlund thought would paralyze the economy and would have to be dealt with. The thesis illustrates the importance of questioning authority in political issues and how scientific actors in Sweden were given responsibility to save peoples lifes from a nuclear attack in areas which they weren't always prepared through their professional education.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2022. , p. 37
Keywords [sv]
Kärnvapen, Atombomb, FOA, Anskaffning, Björnerstedt, Ahnlund, Faror, lösningar
National Category
History
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-476335OAI: oai:DiVA.org:uu-476335DiVA, id: diva2:1667062
Subject / course
History
Educational program
Bachelor Programme in Historical Sciences
Supervisors
Examiners
2022-06-142022-06-092022-06-14Bibliographically approved