The Atomic Age Essay -- Atomic Bomb Atom History Essays

The Atomic AgeThe Atomic Age, composed of complex and contentious issues, has forever changed our humans and the way in which we live.* What were the factors leading to the dropping of the atomic pelt?The answer to this question considers events dealing with atomic energy, the Manhatten Project, and controversial issues about when, where, how, and if the bomb should have been used. There are several events prior to the 1940s that led to the making of the bomb, but the majority of events and controversy snowballed during the 1940s. It is always important to examine the causes of world changing events so that the human race will learn from and be more aware of such issues in the future. Important factors prior to the 1940sIn 1895, Wilhelm Roentgen discovers x-rays. Soon afterward, Marie Curie discovers radium and polonium, both radioactive elements, in 1898. Several years later, in 1905, Albert conceiver creates the famous theory about the alliance between mass and energy. When tw o German scientists, Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassman, demonstrated nuclear fission in December of 1938, American scientists feared that Germany would begin to build an atomic bomb (Wainstock, 35). Because of this, Albert Einstein sends a letter to chair Roosevelt in August of 1939. It is this letter that encourages the President to form a committee to investigate atomic research. American scientists, including Einstein, also persuaded the President to undertake the bombs development. This secret government effort became known as the Manhatten Project.Factors during the 1940sAbrupt, unexpected changes On December 7th, 1941, the United States was suddenly brought into World War II when unexpectedly attacked by the Jap... ...orces alone, therefore making us appear more powerful.All of these events, both prior and post 1940, contributed to the dropping of the first atomic bomb. It was non one single event or person, but many that allowed this bombing to occur. These events should be lo oked at and studied so that they will not reoccur in the future. kit and caboodle CitedDannen, Gene. Atomic Bomb Decision. April 25, 1997. <http//www.peak.org/danneng/ decision/decision.html ( marching music 24,1998). Fogelman, Edwin. Hiroshima The Decision to Use the A-Bomb. New York Charles Scribners Sons, 1964.Wainstock, Dennis D. The Decision to Drop the Atomic Bomb. Westport Praeger, 1996.Walker, Gregory. Trinity Atomic Web Page. March 22,1998. <http//www.envirolink.org/ issues/nuketesting/index.html (March 24,1998).Yass, Marion. Hiroshima. New York G.P. Putmans Sons, 1972.