AdamHWeek11

“It certainly surpasses the imagination of anyone to survey the consequences of the project in years to come, where, in the long run, the enormous energy sources which will be available may be expected to revolutionize industry and transport. The fact of immediate preponderance is, however, that a weapon of an unparalleled power is being created which will completely change all future conditions of warfare.” This quote, from Neils Bohr to President Roosevelt, echoed the misgivings and thoughts running through every scientist on the nuclear bomb project’s minds. The scientists had to balance the enormous amount of good a nuclear power source could do to the world with the elephant in the room, that they were going to kill millions on people. They had to compartmentalize their minds throughout the project in order to keep themselves focused on the scientific uses instead of the horrific devastation it would unleash. Neils Bohr suggested to the president that the world come to an agreement on the use of the bombs before they became widespread. The science panel led by Oppenheimer advised that Roosevelt talk to America’s allies so that he could decide the best way to the bomb. Because of the enormous devastation, the situation had to be selected in order to have the best possible international backlash with a lasting impact on diplomatic circles. They stated that some scientists wanted to demonstrate the power of the bomb for the world so that it would be outlawed before anyone dies by it. The panel rejected this idea, knowing that it wouldn’t have a chance of ending the war. They knew the war was only going to end by the use of the bomb or by massive casualties by the United States. They concluded their report by saying that the final decision resided with the decision makers not the scientists. This was their way of covering their backs. Leo Szilard began a campaign, petitioning the government not to end the war via the bomb. Szilard wanted Roosevelt to think of the moral obligations he had and not just the fact he wanted to end the war fast. He circulated the letter throughout the scientists working on the bomb and in high level positions. Szilard said, “The fact that the people of the United States are unaware of the choice which faces us increases our responsibility in this matter since those who have worked on "atomic power" represent a sample of the population and they alone are in a position to form an opinion and declare their stand,” which was true since the majority of the world had no clue what was coming. Edward Teller received a letter from Szilard asking him to sign the petition and decided to do nothing. “I decided to do nothing; I should like to tell you my reasons. First of all let me say that I have no hope of clearing my conscience. The things we are working on are so terrible that no amount of protesting or fiddling with politics will save our souls.” Teller felt that as scientists in a top secret project, their opinion didn’t matter because no one could hear it. “I do not feel that there is any chance to outlaw any one weapon. If we have a slim chance of survival, it lies in the possibility to get rid of wars. The more decisive a weapon is the more surely it will be used in any real conflict and no agreements will help.” Szilard managed to get sixty-nine other scientists to sign his petition. The president decided in 1950 the United States should continue to work on a hydrogen bomb because “It is part of my responsibility as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces to see to it that our country is able to defend itself against any possible aggressor.”