HIS 100 Module Three Activity Context Template
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Southern New Hampshire University *
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Apr 3, 2024
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HIS 100 Module Three Activity: Historical Context
Replace the bracketed text below with your responses.
Identify the topic you chose to explore:
Chernobyl
Describe the historical context surrounding your historical event.
The Chernobyl disaster occurred on April 26, 1986, in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, during the final years of the Cold War. At this time, the Soviet Union was striving for technological advancements to compete with the United States, particularly in
the realm of nuclear energy. The era was marked by intense geopolitical tensions between
the Eastern Bloc led by the Soviet Union and the Western Bloc led by the United States, commonly known as the Cold War.
Describe a key historical figure or group’s participation in your historical event.
The key historical figure in the Chernobyl disaster is Anatoly Dyatlov, the deputy chief engineer at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Dyatlov played a crucial role in the events leading up to the disaster, as he was in charge of the safety test that ultimately led to the explosion of Reactor No. 4.
Explain the key historical figure or group’s motivation to participate in your historical event.
Anatoly Dyatlov's motivation stemmed from the pressure to meet production quotas and demonstrate the capabilities of Soviet nuclear technology. Additionally, the political climate of the time emphasized achieving technological superiority over the West, driving individuals like Dyatlov to prioritize meeting objectives even at the expense of safety protocols.
Articulate how the historical context caused or influenced your chosen historical event.
The historical context of the Cold War directly influenced the Chernobyl disaster. The pressure to showcase Soviet technological prowess, coupled with a culture of secrecy and
a lack of transparency, led to a disregard for safety protocols and proper testing procedures at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Additionally, the Soviet government's desire to maintain control and suppress information exacerbated the scale of the disaster and its aftermath.
Explain how connecting your historical event and current event improves the understanding of your topic.
Understanding the historical context of the Cold War and its influence on the Chernobyl disaster provides insights into the motivations and decisions that led to the catastrophic event. Moreover, drawing connections between Chernobyl and contemporary events, such as debates over nuclear energy and environmental conservation, highlights the ongoing relevance and significance of historical events in shaping present-day issues and policies.
James Rodger
“How The Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster Shaped Russia And Ukraine’s Modern History” Forbes, May 1, 2021 https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesrodgerseurope/2021/05/01/how-the-chernobyl-
nuclear-disaster-shaped-russia-and-ukraines-modern-history/?sh=2046a111539a
Erin Blakemore, “The Chernobyl disaster: what happened, and the long-term impact”
20 MAY 2019 https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/environment/2019/05/chernobyl-disaster-what-
happened-and-long-term-impact
Dreicer M. (2010). Chernobyl: Consequences of the Catastrophe for People and the Environment.
Environmental Health Perspectives, 118(11), A500.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2974725/
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