Manhattan Project Developing the Atomic Bomb Please get out your notebook and a pen or pencil.

Manhattan Project The Manhattan project not only helped bring an end to World War II, but it also advanced the knowledge of atomic energy - and determined how future wars might be fought.

This was a project to develop the first atomic bomb during World War II. This was a project to develop the first atomic bomb during World War II. “Manhattan Project” was a code name to keep the project concealed. “Manhattan Project” was a code name to keep the project concealed. The Manhattan Project involved roughly 125,000 people and cost more than $2 billion, yet it remained top secret throughout World War II. Project research and development sites were located all across the United States.

Albert Einstein In 1939, physicist Albert Einstein wrote a letter to President Franklin Roosevelt warning that Germany was secretly trying to develop an atomic bomb and urged that the United States do likewise. In 1939, physicist Albert Einstein wrote a letter to President Franklin Roosevelt warning that Germany was secretly trying to develop an atomic bomb and urged that the United States do likewise.

Einstein’s Letter to FDR

President Franklin Roosevelt Roosevelt wrote back to Einstein, informing him that the president had immediately set up a committee to begin atomic research. Roosevelt wrote back to Einstein, informing him that the president had immediately set up a committee to begin atomic research. FDR believed the United States could not take the risk of waiting and allowing Hitler to have the power of developing the first atomic bomb. FDR believed the United States could not take the risk of waiting and allowing Hitler to have the power of developing the first atomic bomb.

Locations Research and production sites of the Manhattan Project were located all across the United States. Research and production sites of the Manhattan Project were located all across the United States. Laboratories and manufacturing facilities were secretly constructed just for the project. Laboratories and manufacturing facilities were secretly constructed just for the project.

Main project research locations of the United States

Manhattan Project Leaders Many people were involved in the project including administrators, researchers, scientists, and more. Top picture: Albert Einstein and Leo Szilard Bottom Picture: J. Robert Oppenheimer, Enrico Fermi, and Ernest Lawrence

J. Robert Oppenheimer Oppenheimer eagerly joined the project at Lawrence's Radiation Laboratory at Berkeley. Oppenheimer eagerly joined the project at Lawrence's Radiation Laboratory at Berkeley. In June 1942 he was appointed the scientific director of the Project. In June 1942 he was appointed the scientific director of the Project. He managed over 3,000 people and is often referred as the “father” of the atomic bomb. He managed over 3,000 people and is often referred as the “father” of the atomic bomb.

Enrico Fermi Born in Italy, Fermi created a nuclear fission chain reaction, which was critical to creating the atomic bomb. In 1944, he joined the Manhattan Project and was the overseer of the scientists.

Ernest Lawrence During WWII, Lawrence was in charge of the electromagnetic separation work at Oak Ridge which provided uranium 235 for the atomic bomb. He was known as the “Atomic Smasher” and the man who “held the key” to atomic energy.

The Trinity Test On July 16, 1945, the first atomic bomb was exploded at the Alamogordo Air Base near Albuquerque, NM. On July 16, 1945, the first atomic bomb was exploded at the Alamogordo Air Base near Albuquerque, NM. A ball of fire rose rapidly, followed by a mushroom cloud extending to 40,000 feet. A ball of fire rose rapidly, followed by a mushroom cloud extending to 40,000 feet. The bomb generated an explosive power equivalent to 20,000 tons of TNT. The bomb generated an explosive power equivalent to 20,000 tons of TNT.

Success The Trinity Test was successful. This was the world’s first ever atomic explosion. After President Harry Truman received the word, he knew the atomic bomb would create a great advantage in World War II. Truman in Potsdam, Germany after receiving word that the Trinity Test was a success.

Use of Atomic Bombs in WWII Because President Truman decided to use the atomic bomb to hasten the end of the war, two more atomic bombs were created by the Manhattan Project. Because President Truman decided to use the atomic bomb to hasten the end of the war, two more atomic bombs were created by the Manhattan Project. The uranium “Little Boy” bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, The uranium “Little Boy” bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, The plutonium “Fat Man” bomb was dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, The plutonium “Fat Man” bomb was dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945.

The Aftermath President Harry Truman’s decision to drop the atomic bomb is one of the most controversial in American History. The use of two atomic bombs in early August 1945 helped bring an end to World War II less than one month later, when the Japanese surrendered on Sept. 2, But the damage and loss of life caused by these two bombs was staggering. 70 th Anniversary Aug – Aug. 2015

The Cold War began…