ACTON FI. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON COPY N January 29, 1957 MEMORANDUM FOR THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL SUBJECT: Tne Hvman Effects of Nuclear \leapons D pvelopnent REFERENCES: A. B. NSC Action Nes. 1430-p, Dp 1443, and [502 NIE 100-5-55, "Implications of Gro Wing Nuclear Capabilities for the Comm hnist Bloc and the Free World" on the suvject was pr ppared vy a ir, Val Peterson pur Buant to the reference NSC Actions, At the request of the P resident, the Planning; Board has studied this report and subi ts herewith the followin; comments and recomnendations for cons aeration 1, The enclosed report special panel and submitted by by the National Security Council at its meeting on Thursday, February 7, 1957. 2, in accordance with its terms of reference, the Panel prepared estimates of tne pre-attack effects on hum An attitudes and behavior of =vreater public awareness of the conSequences of an attack, and tne post-attack effects of nuclear warfare upon orsanized society, The central conclu Bion of the Panel's estimate is: "A massive nuclear attack on the United States resultin; in casualties of the order of 50,000,000 without drastically improved preparation of the peo ple, would jeopardize support of the National Governinent and o rf the war ip. o)" and might well result in National disintesr Ation," p. 9 3. The Planning Board found the Panel's estin Ates to be useful appraisals of factors of importance to natio nal security. In addition to presenting its estimate, the Panel w pnt beyona its terms of reference to propose "a nationwide pro sramn of continuing discussions in small croups, desicneda to achieve naximum citizen participation and involvement in th P crucial issues raised by the development of nuclear weapons ." (p, 12) While the Panel indicates that it is offering a pro posal for a "program of psychological defense" rather than a ce tailed prosram, it does sujsest the followins as important characteristics of any such program if and when cev Rlopecs DECLASSIFIED E.0. 12356, SEC. 3.4 (b) ENERGY VISION OF CLASSIFICATION, U.S. ISTRATION, mS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ADMIN CONTAINS N DETERMINED THAT THIS DOCUMENT RESTRICTED DATA. ERLY FORM OR DATA ICTED RESTR SSIFICATION, ERDA HAS NO OBJECTION TO ITS DECLA les+«i TOREGED - DAT - ‘ coy Ay ” ay ~ T ee 6