Cold War Tension 1: Atomic Bomb

The Manhattan project was a plan to build the first atomic bomb. The plan started when the world was afraid that Hitler was planning to build an atomic bomb, this was in 1939. Albert Einstein urged Franklin Roosevelt to start the development of the atomic bomb. Some people felt they needed to get the atomic bomb done first to be a protection for the country. In time, the President agreed. The Manhattan project was a big secret and it was a huge surprise to Truman when he became President after Roosevelt's death on April 12, 1945. Before he became President he knew nothing of the Manhattan Project. By this time there were 40 factories building the atomic bomb and about 200,000 employees. Many scientists were part of the 200,000 employees. Albert Einstein, Enrico Fermi, Richard Feynman, J. Robert Openheimer, and Harold Urey were some of the scientists that were involved in the project. After awhile the Manhattan project goal was reached. The first atomic bomb was made. They used this bomb as a test bomb in New Mexico, and it was known as "Fat Boy". The test went well so on August 6, 1945 the second bomb, "Little Boy"was used on Hiroshima, Japan. The bomb was 9,000 pounds and the result was 66,000 deaths. Three days after another atomic bomb was used on Nagasaki, Japan. This atomic bomb was 10,000 pounds and is known as "Fat Man". People who didn't die from these bombings suffered with many dangerous burns, vomiting, fatigue, diarrhea, and hair loss. Also the possibility of passing on Leukemia to offspring. It is said that Truman said the use of these atomic bombs would save American lives and would shorten the war. However, many people still question today if that was the right choice....