World War II began on September 1, 1939. At approximately this time, American physicists discovered that splitting atoms can cause a powerful explosion. Though the atomic bomb was not existent until later in the war, well respected, American physicists believed atomic bombs could be produced. They also believed that the bombs could demolish a large city with one, single blast. As the war progressed, rivalries grew more intense and the first atomic bomb was developed. Albert Einstein was one of the first people to propose a theory about atomic weapons. He concluded that American physicists had the recourses and technology to develop an atomic bomb. However, Einstein was very concerned about the Germans ability to create an atomic weapon before the United States. Because Einstein feared the Germans would develop the weapon before America, he brought the dilemma to the president’s attention. Einstein decided to write a letter to Franklin Delano Roosevelt informing him about the recently discovered technology and how the United States should act upon it. Resolutely, FDR decided to
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Many people question the U.S. chose to drop the bomb on Hiroshima. The town was most likely chosen because it was located on an army base and it was a large port. In earlier bombings, this town was targeted and was not destroyed. The U.S. believed that if the bomb devastated the town, Japan would see the power the U.S. had and back out of the war. The bomb measured to be ten feet lengthwise and weighed approximately ten thousand pounds. This particular bomb was made from the element, uranium. Uranium is the heaviest naturally occurring element. Enola Gay was the aircraft that dropped the bomb on Hiroshima. Colonel Paul Tibbetts was the pilot of the Enola Gay. The “Little Boy” produced massive destruction. The impact ruined the entire city of Hiroshima along with thousands of people stranded or
Many people question the U.S. chose to drop the bomb on Hiroshima. The town was most likely chosen because it was located on an army base and it was a large port. In earlier bombings, this town was targeted and was not destroyed. The U.S. believed that if the bomb devastated the town, Japan would see the power the U.S. had and back out of the war. The bomb measured to be ten feet lengthwise and weighed approximately ten thousand pounds. This particular bomb was made from the element, uranium. Uranium is the heaviest naturally occurring element. Enola Gay was the aircraft that dropped the bomb on Hiroshima. Colonel Paul Tibbetts was the pilot of the Enola Gay. The “Little Boy” produced massive destruction. The impact ruined the entire city of Hiroshima along with thousands of people stranded or