Ethan Keyser
Mr. Blair
History and Science
20 March, 2014
American Perspectives On the Manhattan Project
The atomic bomb—this device is one of the most polarizing inventions of the 20-century. Capable of destroying entire cities, “The Bomb” came about as result of one of the greatest engineering feats of mankind. The Modern Marvels documentary on the Manhattan Project covers the amazing process that went into creating the atom bomb and the American perspective on the entire process.
For many the quest to build the bomb is an epic tragedy. Never before or since has a people given so much in the pursuit of scientific advancement; yet, that advancement was to create the ultimate weapon. The Manhattan project site at Oak Ridge would grow to become the largest town in Tennessee. The K-25 plant for enriching uranium using gaseous diffusion was the largest building ever constructed. All of the combined Manhattan Project sites used 10% of the electricity produced in the United States. The final cost would be over 25 billion dollars. The project brought together scientists and engineers from all different disciplines to work together for one goal. However, that goal is not universally acknowledged as a noble one.
The real question surrounding the Manhattan Project is whether all of the effort was really for the good of mankind; or did the project only provide man with the means to commit unprecedented atrocities. The answer to these questions rest heavily on which side of history one lives. Many of the scientists who knew what the goal of the Manhattan Project was believed that they were doing a necessary evil. Dr. Teller, one of the original scientists to wok on an atomic weapon, expressed the belief in this interview statement, “Progress cannot be stopped, and we are told to stop progress. I am very much afraid that progress will occur, and that it will occur in a country that is less committed to peace as we are” (“we” being the United States). Although some of the scientist may have objected to the project, the alternative that the Nazis would develop an atom bomb first was unacceptable. If anyone was to have The Bomb, it was to be the United States.
Another technician said, “Any new weapon I would want to be given to the United States.” The scientists knew that it was not a matter of if an atomic weapon was to be created; it was a matter of when and by whom.
The Manhattan Project was an engineering and scientific endeavor that changed the world. Hundreds of the world’s brightest minds were united in one endeavor to stop the Nazis. Although the atom bomb brought a new threat into the world, the Manhattan Project is still looked upon favorably by the Americans.
“Modern Marvels – S08E20 The Manhattan Project.” WatchDocumentary.com.