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Oppenheimer Reflection

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18 views4 pages

Oppenheimer Reflection

Uploaded by

ehaycraft25
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Oppenheimer Reflection

Em Haycraft

Mercy Academy

B4: U.S. History

Mrs. Bone

March 28, 2024


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Oppenheimer Reflection

In the movie Oppenheimer, the scientists working on the Manhattan Project struggled

with moral and ethical dilemmas. They struggled with their personal role and the role of science

in building a bomb that could be used in warfare. They were aware of the power of the bomb and

what it had the potential to destroy. They struggled with the morality of producing something

that could kill and destroying so much. Could they live with themselves if the bomb was ever

used? They tried to justify their work knowing that it would help bring an end to the war.

Oppenheimer himself was concerned that the atomic bomb may have the potential to blow up the

world. Once the bomb test was completed, it became very apparent what they had built and what

it was going to do if used. Their struggle was over, and they had to live knowing what they had

built.

The Manhattan Project started out of concern that the Germans were working on nuclear

weapons as well. The thought of Hitler and the Nazi’s with such a powerful weapon was

terrifying and many thought that the US needed to harness the power first. If Hitler were to use

the atomic bomb first, it’s possible that he would have overtaken all of Europe and beyond. He

was angry with Germany’s treatment at the end of WWI and may have used the bomb to begin

WWII rather than end it. Once Hitler invaded Poland and WWII began it became evident that

Oppenheimer should be brought into the secretive Manhattan Project.

The US was concerned with Oppenheimer’s background because he had ties to

communism. He had friends who ran in “wrong” political circles and sympathized with

communist. This was during a time when being associated with or even just rumored to be

communist was bad. The US wanted to be sure that anyone dealing with the Manhattan Project

was loyal to the US and would not leak anything to Germany or the Soviet Union. The US also
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wanted to ensure that anyone as involved as he would be able to handle the moral implications of

what they were building. They didn’t want him to have issues and not be able to finish the

project.

I think the discovery of the atomic bomb by the US was a good thing. Science is always

moving forward, and scientists had already discovered splitting the atom. It was only a matter of

time until the power of the atomic bomb was discovered. With something this powerful it is

better that the discovery and testing is run by a stable government, like the US at the time. A

government that understands the power of the weapon and its impact on the world. In the 1930s,

it was rumored that Germany was already making their own progress towards an atomic bomb.

Knowing the progress of US scientists, it was conceivable this was true. If one country has

scientists that could make an atomic bomb, others will as well, or will soon find someone. With a

weapon of such destruction, it’s important that it is in the hands of a country that doesn’t make

rash decisions. Hitler was not known for making rash decisions and he was mad at the

punishment that Germany received after WWI. It’s conceivable that he may have used the bomb

just to get his revenge and promote his agenda. He may never have given anyone the chance to

prevent him. At least when the US used the bomb, they tried to negotiate with Japan first.
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References

Nolan, C. (Director). (2023, July 21). Oppenheimer. Universal Pictures.

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