Primary Sources: Einstein Urges FDR to Build Nuclear Weapons in WWII By Original document from the public domain, adapted by Newsela staff on 01.09.17 Word Count 765 German-born physicist Albert Einstein stands beside a blackboard with chalk-marked mathematical calculations written across it, around 1931. Photo: Photo: Getty Images. Editor's Note: On August 2, 1939, Albert Einstein signed a letter that would change the world. With two other physicists, Enrico Fermi and Leo Szilard, Einstein wrote a letter to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. These physicists had grown very concerned about World War II in Europe. They wanted to convince the president to build an atom bomb before Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany did. Roosevelt was convinced by the letter and ordered the start of what would become one of the most costly efforts in American history: the Manhattan Project. This project mobilized tens of thousands of engineers and scientists. Billions of dollars were spent to create the first nuclear weapon. Roosevelt died before the weapon was completed. The next president, Harry S. Truman, found out about the Manhattan Project only when he took office. Truman used atomic weapons in the bombings of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which ended WWII. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 1
Some believe that Einstein s letter would eventually lead to the nuclear arms race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union that began after the end of WWII. Einstein was later quoted as saying, I made one great mistake in my life when I signed that letter to President Roosevelt recommending that atom bombs be made; but there was some justification the danger that the Germans would make them! "Uranium May Be Turned Into A New And Important Source Of Energy" Albert Einstein Old Grove Rd. Nassau Point Peconic, Long Island August 2nd, 1939 F.D. Roosevelt President of the United States White House Washington, D.C. Sir: Some recent work by E. Fermi and L. Szilard, which has been communicated to me in writing, leads me to expect that the element uranium may be turned into a new and important source of energy in the immediate future. Certain aspects of the situation which have arisen seem to call for watchfulness and, if necessary, quick action on the part of your administration. I believe, therefore, that it is my duty to bring to your attention the following facts and recommendations: In the course of the last four months, the work of Joliot in France and of Fermi and Szilard in America has increased the likelihood that it may be possible to set up a nuclear chain reaction in a large amount of uranium. This would generate huge amounts of power and large quantities of new radium-like elements. Now it appears almost certain that this could be achieved in the immediate future. "Bombs Might Prove To Be Too Heavy" This new phenomenon would also lead to the construction of bombs. It is conceivable, though not certain, that extremely powerful bombs of a new type may be constructed thanks to this discovery. A single bomb of this type, carried by boat and exploded in a port, might very well destroy the whole port and some of the surrounding territory. However, such bombs might prove to be too heavy for transportation by air. The United States has only very poor ores from which to extract uranium, and only moderate quantities of them. There are better reserves of uranium in Canada and the former Czechoslovakia. The most important source of uranium is the Belgian Congo. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 2
In view of this situation, you may want to have some permanent contact maintained between your administration and the group of physicists who are working on chain reactions in America. To achieve this, you may want to entrust with this task a person who has your confidence, who could serve you in an unofficial capacity. His responsibilities might include the following: a) To approach government departments, keep them informed of further developments in chain reactions, and put forward recommendations for government action. Particular attention should be given to the problem of limited uranium ore for the United States; b) To speed up the experimental work, which is currently being carried out within the limits of the budgets of University laboratories, by helping to provide funds through his contacts with private individuals who are willing to contribute to this cause. He could perhaps also seek the cooperation of industrial laboratories, which have the necessary equipment. "Germany Has Actually Stopped The Sale Of Uranium" I understand that Germany has actually stopped the sale of uranium from the Czechoslovakian mines, which Germany has taken over. That Germany should have taken such early action might perhaps be understood on the ground that the son of the German Under-Secretary of State, von Weizsacker, is attached to the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute in Berlin. That is where some of the American work on uranium is now being retested. Yours very truly, (Albert Einstein) This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 3
Quiz 1 Which sentence from the letter BEST supports the idea that Fermi and Szilard would have a hard time getting the material necessary for a nuclear chain reaction? It is conceivable, though not certain, that extremely powerful bombs of a new type may be constructed thanks to this discovery. The United States has only very poor ores from which to extract uranium, and only moderate quantities of them. To approach government departments, keep them informed of further developments in chain reactions, and put forward recommendations for government action. He could perhaps also seek the cooperation of industrial laboratories, which have the necessary equipment. 2 Which idea from the letter is BEST supported by the final paragraph? I understand that Germany has actually stopped the sale of uranium from the Czechoslovakian mines, which Germany has taken over. That Germany should have taken such early action might perhaps be understood on the ground that the son of the German Under-Secretary of State, von Weizsacker, is attached to the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute in Berlin. That is where some of the American work on uranium is now being retested. The most important source of uranium was the Belgian Congo. It would be helpful to provide private funds to the scientists. Quick action on the part of the administration was necessary. Nuclear reactions would be able to create powerful bombs. 3 Einstein's CENTRAL idea in the letter is developed by: explaining the effects of a nuclear bomb and detailing the results in places that bombs had already affected explaining the effects of a nuclear bomb and giving reasons why scientists should be stopped from building one describing the work on nuclear chain reactions and praising the scientists for their speed and dedication describing the work on nuclear chain reactions and listing reasons why knowing about it was important to FDR This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 4
4 Which of these statements would be MOST important to include in an objective summary of the letter? Fermi and Szilard were working with great dedication for four months. The creation of nuclear chain reactions would lead to construction of bombs. FDR needed to be wise in trusting the person who could contact the physicists. It would be helpful to scientists to have the help of industrial laboratories. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 5