Albert Einstein was a German born Theoretical physicist. Einstein is best known for assembling the concept behind the Theory of Relativity, in particular the mass-energy equivalence of E = mc2, as well as receiving the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his “services to Theoretical Physics”. Einstein’s work affected a number of other fields outside of Physics and the name Einstein overtime became synonymous with the term genius, but I am not writing this blog to speak of the plethora of accomplishments Einstein experienced throughout his life, nor do I intend to write about his many works published or why he was named the greatest physicist of all time. Instead, I chose to take a detailed look into the later life of Albert Einstein and just how he was affected by the politics of his time. You see, Einstein lived during a time period in which he was vastly shaped by the fame that came along with being a “genius”, forcing Einstein to become heavily involved in politics.
Albert Einstein had first hand experience with a number of dark periods in history, and whether it be World War I, World War II or the Cold War, Einstein wrote and spoke of one thing: peace. Einstein didn’t want any involvement with politics, simply hoping to continue his successful career as both a scientist and mathematician. Yet, with intensifying demands, Einstein’s involvement in politics increased, forcing him to make new relations with both scholars and political figures in a variety of countries, though Einstein didn’t oppose the idea of meeting new people. Nonetheless, Einstein disliked the fact that he was making these “new acquaintances” simply because his opinion or stance on the politics of that nation was desired. The travels that Einstein participated in as a means to meet with political figures affected him greatly, specifically in terms of achieving the valuable isolation that he needed to do his work.
Due to the fame and genius of Einstein, the mathematician/scientist found himself being called upon to make definite judgments on issues that certainly had nothing to do with physics or mathematics. However, Einstein was fearless and of the utmost awareness of the world surrounding him, with no illusion that ignoring politics would result in world events to fade away. In turn, Einstein simply spoke his opinion on the situation, further allowing him to speak and write both honestly and freely on politics ranging from Nazi Germany to the Cold War era. And though Einstein did issue his opinions on a variety of issues within the world of politics, I believe that Einstein’s stance on politics was simple. Einstein believed in peace and as a German Jew, he only desired to live in a world where he could study the fields of physics and mathematics. Unfortunately, Einstein was forced into becoming involved with politics in a variety of countries, yet he did it with his head held high, sticking to his ideals of speaking freely and honestly and that is what made Einstein a man of true greatness.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
The Hydrogen Bomb: How President Truman Pushed for the Creation of the Super
The result of World War II illustrated to the world the significant impact that scientists could, and would in the future; have when it came to the art of war. And now that the ideas behind constructing the atomic bomb were known and understood to the members of the scientific community, it simply led to scientists to attempt in creating a weapon that would be even more effective than the atomic bomb. Granted the fact that scientists were aware that their findings could have other effects, positive ones, on the world, they were nonetheless aware that their findings would be used in war. Regardless, the influential impact that scientists had on war resulted in members of the scientific community in becoming more involved with politics and national security.
Yet, the immediate response following World War II was that there was no pressure to build a new bomb. As time passed, American scientists familiarized themselves with the new weapon, having both more potential and power than the atomic bomb, referred to as the hydrogen bomb or the super, a nuclear weapon that produces a large amount of its energy through nuclear fusion and can be over a thousand times more powerful in comparison to the atomic bomb. Yet, “the idea of such a bomb had arisen entirely within the scientific, and there it initially remained”. Unfortunately American scientists very well knew that it was only a matter of time before the development of the hydrogen bomb became possible and as Teller said, “It is out of our powers to prevent it. All that we can do is to retard its completion by some years”. Teller spoke of slowing down the construction of the hydrogen bomb because he, along with a number of other American scientists, was conscious of the potential damages and killing power that a weapon such as the super could cause.
As the potential for international control became smaller due to the Communist Soviets and the impact they were having on other countries, Truman and the United States government concluded that it would be necessary for the United States to represent their power through scientific developments, most notable the hydrogen bomb. Furthermore, due to lobbying by scientists, military leaders and members of the Congress, it was agreed upon that the United States had no other choice but to embark on a “crash program to build the H-Bomb”. However, unlike the atomic bomb, which was connected to peaceful reactor progress, the hydrogen bomb was “strictly weapons development”.
On the contrary, a number of scientists and influential individuals disagreed with the “crash program” to construct the hydrogen bomb. The General Advisory Committee's Majority and Minority Reports on building the hydrogen bomb stated that even if the Russians were to succeed in constructing such a weapon, the fact that we, the United States, did not partake in the “race” to build the hydrogen bomb would be a “deterrent to them”, them being the Soviet Union. Along with that, the members of the committee were aware that the use of such a weapon would “bring about the destruction of innumerable human lives”, and for that reason, the refuted the idea of building the hydrogen bomb. Nonetheless, as time passed, the appearance of the hydrogen bomb was made more and more frightening, resulting in the public and the government to fear that the Soviets would get their hands on such weapons first. And for that reason, President Truman concluded that it was necessary for the United States to construct the hydrogen bomb.
In the beginning of 1951, President Truman informed the United States that work would be done in hope of successfully building the hydrogen bomb. “I have directed the Atomic Energy Commission to continue its work on all forms of atomic weapons, including the so-called hydrogen or superbomb Like all other work in the field of atomic weapons, it is being carried forward on a basis consistent with the overall objectives of our program for peace and security. This we shall continue to do until a satisfactory plan for international control of atomic energy is achieved.”
As President Truman stated above, the reason for creating such a powerful weapon as the hydrogen bomb was simply a means to uphold peace and national security. Though I hate to believe that deadly weapons must be created in order to preserve national security, I agree with the move that President Truman made, most notably because he did it to make his fellow American feel safe. In addition, I feel that Truman did what he did because he was aware that if the United States possessed such power, the Soviet Union would not only be forced into a stalemate, a scenario that would later prove to be true, but the United States would further illustrate their intelligence and power.
Yet, the immediate response following World War II was that there was no pressure to build a new bomb. As time passed, American scientists familiarized themselves with the new weapon, having both more potential and power than the atomic bomb, referred to as the hydrogen bomb or the super, a nuclear weapon that produces a large amount of its energy through nuclear fusion and can be over a thousand times more powerful in comparison to the atomic bomb. Yet, “the idea of such a bomb had arisen entirely within the scientific, and there it initially remained”. Unfortunately American scientists very well knew that it was only a matter of time before the development of the hydrogen bomb became possible and as Teller said, “It is out of our powers to prevent it. All that we can do is to retard its completion by some years”. Teller spoke of slowing down the construction of the hydrogen bomb because he, along with a number of other American scientists, was conscious of the potential damages and killing power that a weapon such as the super could cause.
As the potential for international control became smaller due to the Communist Soviets and the impact they were having on other countries, Truman and the United States government concluded that it would be necessary for the United States to represent their power through scientific developments, most notable the hydrogen bomb. Furthermore, due to lobbying by scientists, military leaders and members of the Congress, it was agreed upon that the United States had no other choice but to embark on a “crash program to build the H-Bomb”. However, unlike the atomic bomb, which was connected to peaceful reactor progress, the hydrogen bomb was “strictly weapons development”.
On the contrary, a number of scientists and influential individuals disagreed with the “crash program” to construct the hydrogen bomb. The General Advisory Committee's Majority and Minority Reports on building the hydrogen bomb stated that even if the Russians were to succeed in constructing such a weapon, the fact that we, the United States, did not partake in the “race” to build the hydrogen bomb would be a “deterrent to them”, them being the Soviet Union. Along with that, the members of the committee were aware that the use of such a weapon would “bring about the destruction of innumerable human lives”, and for that reason, the refuted the idea of building the hydrogen bomb. Nonetheless, as time passed, the appearance of the hydrogen bomb was made more and more frightening, resulting in the public and the government to fear that the Soviets would get their hands on such weapons first. And for that reason, President Truman concluded that it was necessary for the United States to construct the hydrogen bomb.
In the beginning of 1951, President Truman informed the United States that work would be done in hope of successfully building the hydrogen bomb. “I have directed the Atomic Energy Commission to continue its work on all forms of atomic weapons, including the so-called hydrogen or superbomb Like all other work in the field of atomic weapons, it is being carried forward on a basis consistent with the overall objectives of our program for peace and security. This we shall continue to do until a satisfactory plan for international control of atomic energy is achieved.”
As President Truman stated above, the reason for creating such a powerful weapon as the hydrogen bomb was simply a means to uphold peace and national security. Though I hate to believe that deadly weapons must be created in order to preserve national security, I agree with the move that President Truman made, most notably because he did it to make his fellow American feel safe. In addition, I feel that Truman did what he did because he was aware that if the United States possessed such power, the Soviet Union would not only be forced into a stalemate, a scenario that would later prove to be true, but the United States would further illustrate their intelligence and power.
Friday, October 12, 2007
The American Atomic Bomb
The Americans were certainly aware of the fact that the Germans were working hard to construct nuclear weapons, weapons that would ultimately change the face and strategies behind the art of war. President Truman knew that if the Germans were, and I stress were, to successfully construct nuclear weapons, then control of the war, a war that was slowly heading towards defeat for the Germans and its fellow allies, would be placed in the hands of the Germans. At that point it became clear to the United States that they haad no other choice but to cancel out the Germans efforts by successfully constructing nuclear weapons of their own. Similar to beating the communists to the moon (a symbol of superiority and power), the United States trusted that the scientists involved in the Manhattan Project would be successful in creating nuclear weapons before the Nazi scientists. Clearly the Americans beat the Germans to the punch (though many question the efforts of the German scientists). Once the United States had the power of nuclear weapons in their hands, World War II was all but over.
By 1945, Nazi Germany was nearing defeat and Germany's fellow key player, Japan, gasped for air as defeat became more and more of a realization. And in the summer of 1945, the Allies ended World War II, forcing both Germany and Japan to surrender when the United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan, one on Hiroshima and one on Nagasaki. So in the end, the "good guys". Yet the question still lingers: were the Americans just in udsing the atomic bomb as a means to end World War II?
It was clear that Germany and Japan were more than ready to fight under any circumstances, surrender not being an option. And because Germany was so depleted by the summer of 1945, the United States turned their forces towards Japan, successfully using the atomic bomb as a means to end World War II, along with showing the world their superiority and power. The awfulness of nuclear weapons was a horrifying reality, causing people in the present to fear the possible use of another nuclear weapon (now a days referred to as weapons of mass destruction), further proving the significant impact science has on the art of war.
By 1945, Nazi Germany was nearing defeat and Germany's fellow key player, Japan, gasped for air as defeat became more and more of a realization. And in the summer of 1945, the Allies ended World War II, forcing both Germany and Japan to surrender when the United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan, one on Hiroshima and one on Nagasaki. So in the end, the "good guys". Yet the question still lingers: were the Americans just in udsing the atomic bomb as a means to end World War II?
It was clear that Germany and Japan were more than ready to fight under any circumstances, surrender not being an option. And because Germany was so depleted by the summer of 1945, the United States turned their forces towards Japan, successfully using the atomic bomb as a means to end World War II, along with showing the world their superiority and power. The awfulness of nuclear weapons was a horrifying reality, causing people in the present to fear the possible use of another nuclear weapon (now a days referred to as weapons of mass destruction), further proving the significant impact science has on the art of war.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Did German Scientists Truly Try to Construct Nuclear Weapons?
During World War II, it was clear that both the United States and Nazi Germany looked into the possibility of constructing nuclear weapons, weapons that were so destructive that they were often considered inhumane. The United States illustrated the horrific capabilities of the atomic bomb when they dropped one bomb on Hiroshima and another on Nagasaki. Claiming that it was done to end World War II, the United Staes proved both their scientific superiority and their overall power as a nation. This led many to wonder why the Germans didn't construct or go as far as to use nuclear weapons, considering that the Nazis would have no issue with using such a weapon if it were to result in vicotry. For that reason, it leads to the question: did Nazi scientists truly attempt to build nuclear weapons?
Following the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the German scientists that were working at Farm Hall, an English country house near Cambridge, reported a number of claims to the authorities. Some stated that they viewed the United States use of the atomic bomb as "madness", "inhuman" and simply wrong as a means to end World War II, while others spoke of the disgrace and embarassment that was caused by the American scientific superiority. Other than the disgrace and embarassment that the Germans felt over their inferiority, I find it very hard to believe anything that is said by the scientists that worked at Farm Hall. Anyone and everyone who took place in the experimentation at Farm Hall are Nazi scientists and no matter what their excuse is for working with the Nazis, they had a hand in the unsuccessfull attempt to construct an atomic bomb for Nazi Germany.
Therefore, I belive that it is nieve for anyone to claim that Nazi scientists didn't attempt or try to construct nuclear weapons. The Nazis were simply beat to the punch by the United States. For anyone to believe that Nazi scientists didn't put effort into the construction of nuclear weapons as a means of denying Hitler and Nazi Germany of the power that nuclear weapons posess is simply wrong. The men who worked at Farm Hall, whether they believed in National Socialism or not, were monitored on a daily base and were frequently reporting back to high-ranking Nazi officials. The fact of the matter is that there is evidence and proof that the Nazis put a significant amount of effort into constructing nuclear weapons. For that reason, whether out of fear or the idea of advancement, it is apparent that Nazi scientists simpy failed in accomplishing the construction of nuclear weapons, and certainly not because they didnt try.
Following the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the German scientists that were working at Farm Hall, an English country house near Cambridge, reported a number of claims to the authorities. Some stated that they viewed the United States use of the atomic bomb as "madness", "inhuman" and simply wrong as a means to end World War II, while others spoke of the disgrace and embarassment that was caused by the American scientific superiority. Other than the disgrace and embarassment that the Germans felt over their inferiority, I find it very hard to believe anything that is said by the scientists that worked at Farm Hall. Anyone and everyone who took place in the experimentation at Farm Hall are Nazi scientists and no matter what their excuse is for working with the Nazis, they had a hand in the unsuccessfull attempt to construct an atomic bomb for Nazi Germany.
Therefore, I belive that it is nieve for anyone to claim that Nazi scientists didn't attempt or try to construct nuclear weapons. The Nazis were simply beat to the punch by the United States. For anyone to believe that Nazi scientists didn't put effort into the construction of nuclear weapons as a means of denying Hitler and Nazi Germany of the power that nuclear weapons posess is simply wrong. The men who worked at Farm Hall, whether they believed in National Socialism or not, were monitored on a daily base and were frequently reporting back to high-ranking Nazi officials. The fact of the matter is that there is evidence and proof that the Nazis put a significant amount of effort into constructing nuclear weapons. For that reason, whether out of fear or the idea of advancement, it is apparent that Nazi scientists simpy failed in accomplishing the construction of nuclear weapons, and certainly not because they didnt try.
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