The Manhattan Project ~A top secret U.S. project

The Manhattan ProjectoSecret program from 1942-1946 in the U.S. focusing on building the first atomic bomboEven Harry S. Truman did not know about the project until Roosevelt’s death in 1945.

Goals…oto develop the atomic bomb before Germany or Japan did

oIn order to end WWII oTo show it off to the world

The race was on…

They were able to work toward building the atomic bomb through achievements in the area of nuclear physics, including the discovery of fission. They used the idea of fission, the separation of an atom, to build their atomic bombs.

Project ScientistsoMany scientists were involved in the Manhattan Project such as Albert Einstein, Enrico Fermi, and Robert Oppenheimer.oOppenheimer was in charge of the project along with General Leslie R. Groves.oThe Nazis made the mistake of exiling their Jewish scientists, and they then went to the U.S. and helped them build nuclear weapons.

Einstein: Involvement in the Project

Einstein came from Germany to the U.S.

He wrote a letter to President Roosevelt that was received on August 2, 1939.

Warned him of Germany’s advances within nuclear physics and research involving the atomic bombWarned of attempts at building nuclear weapons

CentersOver 30 different sites but the main 3 centers for the Manhattan Project were:

Los Alamos, New Mexico (assembled nuclear weapons)

Oak Ridge, Tennessee (produced uranium-235)

Hanford, Washington (produced weapons-grade plutonium)

The Atomic BombsThe Scientists for the Manhattan Project built a test bomb and the two bombs that were dropped in Japan.

“Gadget” which was the test bomb and was plutonium based

“Little Boy” which was dropped in Hiroshima and was uranium based

“Fat Man” which was dropped in Nagasaki and was plutonium based

Some Key EventsMay 12, 1942~Roosevelt signs an order to create the Manhattan Project

April, 1943~ Bomb design begins in Los Alamos

1944~Uranium, gun-style bomb is determined to be reliable

July 16, 1945~ experience the first atomic bomb during a trial

August 6, 1945~Little Boy was dropped

August 9, 1945~Fat Man was dropped

Controversy

The scientists had opposing views on the use of the atomic bomb.

Some felt that it should not be used for ethical reasons.Others felt that it needed to be used as a defense mechanism against Japan.

However, the decision was not up to them. It was left to Harry S. Truman.

Overall AchievementsPros

The Manhattan Project allowed scientists to make new discoveries about the atom.

It allowed the U.S. to become one of the leading nations in the development of nuclear weapons.

Cons

It led to massive death and a terrible aftermath of WWII.

It became the most destructive type of warfare known to mankind.

SourcesAmerican Nation in the Modern Era. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2005.

"The Manhattan Project: An Interactive History." Department of Energy - CFO Home. 20 Apr. 2009. <http://www.cfo.doe.gov/me70/manhattan/index.htm>.  

"Key Issues: Nuclear Weapons: History: Pre Cold War: Manhattan Project." Nuclear Files - From nuclear proliferation to nuclear testing, from Hiroshima to North Korea, Nuclear Files offers the A to Z on nuclear issues. 26 Apr. 2009. <http://www.nuclearfiles.org/menu/key-issues/nuclear-weapons/history/pre-cold-war/manhattan-project/>.

"The Manhattan Project." Travel and History. 26 Apr. 2009. <http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1644.html>.