Examining History
...to ensure that the same mistakes are not
repeated. The Manhattan project is an excellent example. This program
allowed the United States to unleash the power of the atom, thus,
introducing a new and devastating element into warfare. Although they
managed to come in first in the race with Germany, the U.S. bears the
responsibility of having introduced the atomic bomb, and have the blood on
their hands from the use of it. It is obvious that the U.S. reaped the
benefits by introducing the bomb, because no one else had the chance to use
it on them. However, it is imperative to realize that when they dropped the
bomb they became hypocrates. They did not want it used on them, but were
eager to use it on another country. Actually, the U.S. had trouble deciding
who to use it on. However, when a target was selected, the results were
devastating. There were 170,000 people killed in Hiroshima alone and in
Nagasaki, estimates say, nearly 70,000 died. After the bomb was dropped, the
resulting radiation killed nearly 70,000 people. The Manhattan Project and
the use of the atomic bomb were unfortunate products of a scientific
breakthrough and a frantic race; which resulted in a revolution in warfare.
The Manhattan Project originated from the Army Corps of Engineers, this
division was originally named the Manhattan District. The later name, The
Manhattan Project, encompassed the district, the scientific, the
governmental and the strategic aspects (4:9). In 1941 President
Roosevelt and several American scientists began work on the project (1:1).
The bomb was never referred
to as the "atomic bomb" it was referred to as
"a new weapon of unusual destructive force" (13:74). The main hub of
acivity for this project was in New Mexico, the program lasted from 1942 to...
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