How did the development of nuclear weapons affect American society?

1945 marked the beginning of the Atomic Age for mankind. Not just for the United States, but for the whole world. Nuclear weapons led to to nuclear energy and a cold war. A cold war is a military stand-off between two nations. In this particular case, the cold war was a military stand-off between two NUCLEAR ARMED nations. The US & the rest of world were affected by the cold war, and atomic energy. Pros of nuclear energy: It is clean burning and lasts nearly forever (no need to refuel). Cons of nuclear (atomic) energy: ultimately there is a wasted product (by-product) that must be disposed of; and currently there is NO way of disposing of it, other than burying it somewhere. Secondly, the nuclear material that creates the atomic power is in itself a deadly poison. Third, all man made machines and systems are not perfect; sometimes they break...when an atomic plant has a malfunction, things can become serious (such as a nuclear meltdown). See Film:The China Syndrome, starring Jane Fonda.