Homework answers / question archive / Secretary of War — Attention: Mr

Secretary of War — Attention: Mr

History

Share With

Secretary of War — Attention: Mr. George Harrison From: Arthur E. Compton I In re: "Memorandum on 'Political and Social Problems,' from Members of the 'Metallurgical Laboratory of the University of Chicago," June 12, 1945, Secret Dear Mr. Secretary I have submitted to you a memorandum which has been prepared on short notice by certain key members of the scientific staff of the Metallurgical Laboratory of the University of Chicago... The development of nuclear power not only constitutes an important addition to the technological and military power of the United States, but also creates grave political and economic problems for the future ofthe country. Nuclear bombs cannot possibly remain a "secret weapon" at the exclusive disposal of this country, for more than a few years. The scientific facts on which their construction is based are well known to scientists of other countries. Unless international control of nuclear explosives is instituted, a race of nuclear armaments is certain to ensue following the first revelation of our possession of nuclear weapons to the world. Within ten years other countries may have nuclear bombs, each of which, weighing less than a ton, could destroy an urban area of more than five square miles.... We believe that these considerations make the use of nuclear bombs for an early, unannounced attack against Japan inadvisable... Much more favorable conditions...could be created if nuclear bombs were first revealed to the world by a demonstration in an appropriately selected uninhabited area. SourcezThe NationalSecurity Archive, htt s: nsarchivez. wu.edu NSAEBB NSAEBBlEZ 16. df accessed Aug. 10, 2020.

Memorandum byJ. R. Oppenheimer, "Recommendations on the Immediate Use of Nuclear Weapons," June 16, 1945, Top Secret You have asked us to comment on the initial use of the new weapon.... The opinions of our scientific colleagues on the initial use of these weapons are not unanimous: they range from the proposal of a purely technical demonstration to that of the military application best designed to induce surrender. Those who advocate a purely technical demonstration would wish to outlaw the use of atomic weapons... Others emphasize the opportunity of saving American lives by immediate military use.... We find ourselves closer to these latter views; we can propose no technical demonstration likely to bring an end to the war; we see no acceptable alternative to direct military use. With regard to these general aspects of the use of atomic energy, it is clear that we, as scientific men, have....no claim to special competence in solving the political, social, and military problems which are presented by the advent of atomic power. Source: The National Security Archive, https:[[nsarchive2.gwu.edu[NSAEBB[NSAEBBlBZ[19.pdf, accessed Aug. 10, 2020.

° Hiroshima (August 6, 1945) — At 8:16 AM, the schools were full of children, the streets crowded with grown- ups walking or cycling to work — Suddenly, there was a flash of light followed by a fireball — In an instant, the city's core was demolished and all its inhabitants vaporized — For half a mile around, birds ignited in midair, buildings of steel and stone melted and people were scorched to a crisp — Farther away, corpses lay everywhere, their flesh broiled in firestorms driven by hurricane-force winds. - Enola Gay tail gunner's immediate reaction to what he saw: "It's like bubbling molasses down there...the mushroom is spreading out...fires are springing up everywhere...it's like a peep into hell." - Enola Gay pilot's immediate reaction: "My God, what have we done!" - In a later interview, the pilot of the Enola Gay recalled: "We had seen the city when we went in and there was nothing to see when we came back."