Nuclear Weapons

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Nuclear Weapons

Throughout the 19th century, nuclear weapons have started wars, ended wars, and become a highly controversial topic. Nuclear weapons are highly destructive devices that work on fission and fusion. Since the creation of the atomic bomb in 1945, no other weapon has come to possess the deadly potential that lies in a nuclear weapon. In one single instant, nuclear devices could end the entire world. The aftermath of the nuclear weapon also adds to its danger. The fear of the nuclear weapon is something that will haunt humanity until it is destroyed, most likely by nuclear war.

The first thoughts of an atomic bomb started with a man named Leo Szilard. On September 12, 1932, within seven months of the discovery of the neutron, and more than six years before the discovery of fission, Leo Szilard conceived of the possibility of a controlled release of atomic power through a multiplying neutron chain reaction, and also realized that if such a reaction could be found, then a bomb could be built using it (Nuclear Weapon Archive 1997). Over the next 3 years, a lot of research would be done about fission and uranium. This rush in scientific discovery would lead to the Manhattan Project. Officially, the Manhattan Project started on September 17th, 1942 when Colonel Leslie Richard Groves was notified at 10:30 a.m. by Gen. Brehon Somervell that his assignment overseas had been cancelled. Groves, an experienced manager who had just overseen the colossal construction of the Pentagon, seized immediate and decisive control. On September 18th Groves ordered the purchase of 1250 tons of high quality Belgian Congo uranium ore stored on Staten Island, and the next day purchased 52000 acres of land to be the future site of Oak Ridge (Atomic Archive 1998). Two other sites would be added to help speed up the process of creating such weapons. Hanford, Washington and Los Alamos, New Mexico were the two other production facilities. On October 15th, Groves...