The real story of the environmental crisis is one of power and profit and the institutional and bureaucratic arrangements and the cultural conventions that create conditions of environmental destruction. Toxic wastes and oil spills and dying forests, presented in the daily news as the entire environmental story, are symptoms of social arrangements, and especially of social derangements. The environmental crisis, more than the sum of ozone depletion, global warming, and overconsumption, is a crisis of the dominant ideology. ~Joni Seager
President Barack Obama's signature on 21 January 2008 of the first U.S. treaty to limit its use. It describes the incendiary weapon's creation through a partnership between government and academia; deployment in both Europe and the Pacific, culminating with the firebombing of Japan's major cities in 1945; extensive use during the Korean War, and many other conflicts; and transformation in public opinion from a marvel to a monster so horrible Pentagon commanders won't mention it, and commentators routinely cite it as an icon of savage cruelty. The history traces this change in public opinion to media coverage during the Vietnam War that raised awareness of the weapon's effects on civilians; protests against the war and the Dow Chemical Corporation that started in 1965 and defined the gel as barbaric; U.S. defeat in Vietnam; commentary by opinion makers after the war, especially Hollywood film-makers; the rise of a global popular culture linked by electronic media; changes in international law; and development of alternative weapons. The study concludes that napalm's story highlights the significance of worldwide communications and popular culture, the increased importance of civilian casualties in war, the important role social movements and international law play in the formulation of social norms, and the increasing power of global opinion to constrain national authorities. CONTENTSILLUSTRATIONS, AND TABLES & GRAPH vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS x DEDICATION xiv PREFATORY ILLUSTRATIONS xvi work if there is to be any hope of success. My greatest thanks are to my wife Maixuan, who supported this project from its earliest days. My children Marco and Sophia leavened an often difficult assignment with irrepressible cheer. They also reminded me of the infinite stakes behind the bland term "civilians." My father Dr. Robert Neer and my step-mother Ann Eldridge offered critiques of immense value and exquisite grammatical accuracy. My brother Professor Richard Neer set a stellar academic example. Columbia University is a superlative place to study American history. My teachers inspire me: they are models of erudition, accomplishment, and collegiality. Professor Herb Sloan, my advisor, gave key advice that enabled me to conceptualize this thesis. Professor Ken Jackson, my departmental sponsor, helped me see history from a perspective both analytical and personal. Professor Sam Moyn suggested a revision to the title that brought the entire study into focus. Professor John Witt galvanized me to tackle popular culture head on. Professor Moyn and he also taught me to treat international law with the respect it deserves. In the process, they brought the field alive. Professor Carol Gluck set a standard of excellence I have tried to honor in every line. Professor Eric Foner encouraged me to return to graduate school after a long absence, taught me how to formulate historical questions and deploy evidence to best effect, and demonstrated the joys of historical study. Professor Alan Brinkley also encouraged me to complete my doctorate. I hav...
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