(Rodreyer, Smith) The creation of the bomb was considered by many scientists during the 1930’s and 1940’s. Mainly because It was thought that another force would be creating a mass destructive device similar to what the scientists had in mind. This whole project took a course of several years and much dedication. This project is known as, “The Manhattan Project.” The Manhattan Project was the code name for the U.S. creation of the atomic bomb during World War Two. An atomic bomb is a powerful explosive weapon that derives its force from the sudden release of energy in a nuclear reaction called fission, or splitting, of the nuclei of such heavy elements as plutonium and uranium.
In order to end the conflict of the World War II, a weapon that surpassed all other conventional weapons of that time would need to be created. In 1939, rumors of Nazi Germany pursuit to manufacture an atomic bomb and insure their victory in the war terrified the scientist that sought refuge in America. It also heightened the urgency for America to create the atomic bomb first. Albert Einstein was the one of those refugee scientists that was alerted to Germany's intent and wrote letters
With the bomb came advances in technology, the possibility to end millions of lives, and the beginnings of the Cold War. Behind Truman were three important factors that influenced his decision: the scientists who created the bomb, the geopolitics and politicians circling the bomb, and the general military outlook involving the bomb. From each of these key perspectives, the decision is shown to be influenced far more by politics and persons than the battle of Okinawa. To evaluate this claim, the scientists and their influence on the decision must first be examined. 1 Scientist Interventions The U.S’s introduction to the atomic bomb was through the renowned physicist Albert Einstein and
The Making of a Bomb On August 6th and 9th, 1945, two explosions leveled the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The brute destructive force of the atomic bomb was the likes of which had never been seen before. The path taken to bring this marvel to fruition was paved with moral scruples and encompassed the collaboration of thousands of brilliant scientist along with allocation of billions of dollars. The massive undertaking was all kept secret under the Umbrella of the US government’s top secret project, code named “the Manhattan Project.” How is it that a seemingly dooms-day device came to be and what challenges did this endeavor encounter? I plan to explore the makings of the new class of weapon that intimidated nations and presented unparalleled threats to which the world had never experienced before.
The classic film Dr. Strangelove is a black comedy that warns people about the possibilities of global destruction. It is a satirical look at the Cold War and what could have easily been a nuclear war, ending in devastation for much of the world. According to the online dictionary, the definition of black comedy is the combination of morbid and farcical elements (in writing or drama) to give a disturbing effect. The director, Stanley Kubrick uses black humour to respond to the Cold War; Kubrick makes light of the situation of a rogue General causing the apparent end of the world. This film represents a political and cultural parody of Cold War rhetoric and anxiety.
Today that pride must be tempered by a profound concern. If atomic bombs are to be added as new weapons to the arsenals of a warring world, or to the arsenals of the nations preparing for war, then the time will come when mankind will curse the names of Los Alamos and Hiroshima. The people of this world must unite or they will perish. This war that has ravaged so much of the Earth, has written these words. The atomic bomb has spelled them out for all men to understand.
The U.S. believed that if the atomic bomb ended the war, the U.S. would establish postwar supremacy over the Soviets. In addition, the atomic bomb had cost 2 billion dollars and mobilized, at its peak, over 120,000 people. Linking this weapon to the end of the war would help justify that expenditure. In addition to the desire to force Japan's surrender, these considerations led the U.S. to proceed with the atomic bombings. (2) Why did it happen?
In fact, the debates behind using the atomic bombs against Japan began even before the decision was made. Many of the scientists such as Leo Szilard and Dr. James Franck, who made great contributions towards the creation of the bomb, campaigned against its use. President Truman said “We have used it in order to shorten the agony of war, in order to save the lives of thousands and thousands of young Amercicans”. It is completely understandable that President Truman’s aim was always to save the lives as many American people, but was it necessary to do it by dropping the atomic bombs on Japan? And was the reason behind the decision to drop the two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki purely to ‘save the lives of thousands and thousands of young Americans’?
The twentieth century proved to be a great time of advancements in technology. A person may ask their friend, “What was the greatest invention of the 1900s?” and the friend would respond, “Oh, I don’t know, the internet.” The question is though, what has humanity defaced in this century? Surely it is the safety of the world and it’s creatures. With the development of nuclear weapons in the mid-1900s, the human species successfully brought about the most dangerous threat the world has ever seen. Such a poor choice this was, to split the nuclei of atoms.
What were the causes of the atomic bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and their effects on Japan’s economy? By: Ronan Uy ABSTRACT Warfare has been through many periods of technology, in spite of this a single aspect remains constant: death. Though there were numerous deadly weapons utilized in war, the deadliest of them all is the atomic bomb. The atomic bomb, is as defined by britannica.com “a deadly weapon caused by the sudden release of energy after the splitting, or fission, of the nuclei of heavy elements like uranium.” In 1945, the United States (US) dropped two atomic bombs, one in Hiroshima and the other in Nagasaki ending WWII. It was the first event in which the whole world witnessed the power of nuclear weapons and the only time nuclear weapons have been used in war.