In 1939, a scientist wrote a letter to the President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt, which would alter the course of history. This scientist was Albert Einstein – after fleeing from Germany, he was concerned with the possibility of the Nazis succeeded in building a weapon never seen before: an atomic bomb. Einstein encouraged a program to research the prospect of nuclear weapons – the Axis powers gaining access to an atomic bomb would present a catastrophic situation to the Allied powers, and could quickly turn the war in their favor, presenting a global threat. Roosevelt proceeded cautiously, with little progress being made. However, in 1940 and 1941, two findings decisively concluded that an atomic bomb was possible (American
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In the Hiroshima bombing, 60,000 to 70,000 people were missing or killed. 140,000 were injured, and deadly radiation reached 100,000 more. 2/3 of the buildings in the city were leveled. In Nagasaki, 42,000 people were killed, with 40,000 more injured. Both cities had been devastated. People that are still alive today have distortions and extreme medical issues due to the atomic bombs (Atom Central, n.d.). Even Albert Einstein, who had written the letter endorsing a program to study atomic bombs in the first place, regretted doing so. Citing the destructive nature of the bombs, he said “Had I known that the Germans would not succeed in developing the atomic bomb, I would have done nothing.” The creation of the atomic bombs, and the subsequent droppings of the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, signify both the effectiveness of scientific progress, and an ethical debate that has existed for decades. In four years, the United States government had grown from fearing the prospect of their enemies discovering the atomic bomb, to wielding the weapon itself. By manipulating the nature of atoms, neutrons can cause a chain reaction that deals devastating damage. The creation of the atomic bomb is a testament to man’s ability to manipulate nature, and the consequences of doing so (AMNH,
In the Hiroshima bombing, 60,000 to 70,000 people were missing or killed. 140,000 were injured, and deadly radiation reached 100,000 more. 2/3 of the buildings in the city were leveled. In Nagasaki, 42,000 people were killed, with 40,000 more injured. Both cities had been devastated. People that are still alive today have distortions and extreme medical issues due to the atomic bombs (Atom Central, n.d.). Even Albert Einstein, who had written the letter endorsing a program to study atomic bombs in the first place, regretted doing so. Citing the destructive nature of the bombs, he said “Had I known that the Germans would not succeed in developing the atomic bomb, I would have done nothing.” The creation of the atomic bombs, and the subsequent droppings of the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, signify both the effectiveness of scientific progress, and an ethical debate that has existed for decades. In four years, the United States government had grown from fearing the prospect of their enemies discovering the atomic bomb, to wielding the weapon itself. By manipulating the nature of atoms, neutrons can cause a chain reaction that deals devastating damage. The creation of the atomic bomb is a testament to man’s ability to manipulate nature, and the consequences of doing so (AMNH,