6.3 Moral And Ethical Issues

1. 6.3 Moral And Ethical Issues The Atomic Bomb

2. The Manhattan Project • U.S. government research project (1942–45) that produced the first atomic bombs

3. The Manhattan Project • A race began in 1940 between the Germans and the Allies to complete the first atomic bomb. • The Americans recruit a group of scientists from around the world. • This group includes Albert Einstein • It is called the Manhattan Project because most of the initial research was done at Columbia University in Manhattan • The project cost over $2 Billion

4. The Manhattan Project • The first Atomic Bomb is detonated on July 16, 1945 on an Airforce base in New Mexico • It was placed on top of a steel tower and watched by scientist from 9km away • The explosion came as an intense light flash, a sudden wave of heat, and later a tremendous roar as the shock wave passed and echoed in the valley. • A ball of fire rose rapidly, followed by a mushroom cloud extending to 12,200 metres. • The bomb generated an explosive power equivalent to 15,000 to 20,000 tons of TNT • The tower was completely vaporized and the surrounding desert surface fused to glass for a radius of 800 yards (730 metres)

5. The Manhattan Project

6. Manhattan Project • Trinity Site obelisk. The black plaque on top reads: Trinity Site Where The World's First Nuclear Device Was Exploded On July 16, 1945 Erected 1965 White Sands Missile Range J. Frederick Thorlin Major General U.S. Army Commanding The gold plaque below it declares the site a National Historic Landmark, and reads: Trinity Site has been designated a National Historical Landmark This Site Possesses National Significance In Commemorating The History of the United States of America 1975 National Park Service United States Department of the Interior

7. The Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki • On August 6, 1945), an American B-29 bomber dropped the world’s first atomic bomb over the Japanese city of Hiroshima. • The explosion wiped out 90 percent of the city and 80,000 people. • Tens of thousands more would later die of radiation exposure. • Three days later, a second B-29 dropped another A-bomb on Nagasaki, killing an estimated 40,000 people. • Japan’s Emperor Hirohito announced his country’s unconditional surrender in World War II in a radio address on August 15, citing the devastating power  • Coroner's Report: Atomic Bomb

8. The Morals Behind the Decision • When Germany surrenders Japan is alone. • Even though defeat seems inevitable Japan will not surrender. • They fight harder, American casualties are increasing. • The Americans have two options • Use conventional techniques to invade Japan • Bombing and invading is expected to cost over 1 million American lives. • In the bombing of Germany over 600 000 civilians die. • This plan is known as Operation Downfall • Using the Atomic Bomb to end the war in a decisive blow. • Knowing the destructive and lethal capacity of the bomb Japan would surely have to surrender • The Americans also see using the bomb as a way to take a dominant role as a world power after the war

9. The Morals Behind the Decision • What do you think?

10. Future Implications?

11. https://www.britannica.com/event/Manhattan-Project