
Episode 1475
Britain's Secret Atomic Tests in Australia
Exploring the reasons for these tests and their toxic legacy.
Dan Snow's History Hit · History Hit
July 10, 202442m 17s
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Show Notes
<p>During the 1950s, in the remote expanses of Australia's outback, the British government conducted a series of clandestine nuclear tests. These were the early years of the Cold War, and Britain was determined to expand its atomic capabilities and shore up its great power status. But these tests came at a harrowing cost to Aboriginal communities and site personnel, who were not sufficiently protected from the deadly nuclear fallout. The full extent of the harm done by these detonations is still not known.</p><br><p>We're joined by Elizabeth Tynan, author of 'The Secrets of Emu Field: Britain’s Forgotten Atomic Tests in Australia'. She explains the reasons for these tests, the damage they did, and what they tell us about the peculiar bonds of colonialism.</p><br><p>Produced by James Hickmann and edited by Dougal Patmore.</p><br><p>For more episodes on the history of nuclear weapons:</p><p><br></p><ol><li>Oppenheimer - <a href="https://shows.acast.com/dansnowshistoryhit/episodes/oppenheimer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://shows.acast.com/dansnowshistoryhit/episodes/oppenheimer</a></li><li>How to Prepare for Nuclear War - <a href="https://shows.acast.com/dansnowshistoryhit/episodes/how-to-prepare-for-nuclear-war" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://shows.acast.com/dansnowshistoryhit/episodes/how-to-prepare-for-nuclear-war</a></li><li>The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb - <a href="https://shows.acast.com/dansnowshistoryhit/episodes/the-decision-to-use-the-atomic-bomb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://shows.acast.com/dansnowshistoryhit/episodes/the-decision-to-use-the-atomic-bomb</a></li></ol><p><br></p><p>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Sign up <a href="https://eu1.hubs.ly/H09Dmh10" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>HERE</u></a> for 50% off for 3 months using code ‘DANSNOW’.</p><br><p>We'd love to hear from you - what do you want to hear an episode on? You can email the podcast at <a href="mailto:[email protected]" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">[email protected]</a>.</p><br><p>You can take part in our listener survey<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> here</a>.</p>
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