Exactly, today we are used to the idea that the technology to decimate an enemy with nuclear weapons exists, back then it was new, confusing, frightening. The power to destroy the world was now in the hands of humanity, so we, as humans and fully aware of how shitty we are, were scared shitless. Nowadays of course we know no one actually has the balls to drop one. Except for maybe North Korea, those crazy bastards.