Why did Einstein write a letter to Roosevelt?a)To warn him how powerfu...
Correct answer is option "B".
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Why did Einstein write a letter to Roosevelt?a)To warn him how powerfu...
Why did Einstein write a letter to Roosevelt?
Einstein wrote a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939 to warn him about the potential destructive power of atomic bombs and the urgent need for the United States to develop its own atomic weapons program.
Background:
- In the 1930s, a group of scientists in Germany led by Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann discovered nuclear fission, the splitting of an atomic nucleus into two smaller nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy.
- This breakthrough paved the way for the development of atomic bombs, as it was realized that a chain reaction of nuclear fission could release a tremendous amount of energy in the form of an explosion.
The Threat of Nazi Germany:
- In the 1930s, Nazi Germany was rapidly advancing in scientific research and weapons development, including nuclear research.
- Einstein, who was a German-born physicist of Jewish descent and had emigrated to the United States due to the rise of the Nazis, was deeply concerned that the German government might harness the power of atomic bombs.
The Letter to Roosevelt:
- Einstein drafted a letter, which was co-signed by his colleague Leo Szilard, and sent it to President Roosevelt on August 2, 1939.
- The letter outlined the potential military applications of atomic energy and the potential for Germany to develop atomic bombs.
- It warned that if Germany succeeded in developing atomic weapons, it could pose a grave threat to the United States and its allies.
Urgency for Action:
- Einstein and Szilard urged President Roosevelt to create a government-sponsored research program to develop atomic weapons before Germany could achieve this technological breakthrough.
- They believed that the United States should be at the forefront of atomic research and weapon development to ensure national security.
Impact:
- Einstein's letter had a significant impact on President Roosevelt, who recognized the potential of atomic weapons and the need for American involvement in atomic research.
- This eventually led to the establishment of the Manhattan Project, a top-secret research program that aimed to develop atomic bombs.
In conclusion, Einstein wrote the letter to Roosevelt to warn him about the destructive potential of atomic bombs and the urgent need for the United States to develop its own atomic weapons program to counter the threat posed by Nazi Germany.
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