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The Manhattan Project
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Einstein-Szilard Letter
Albert Einstein and other scientists write the Einstein–Szilárd letter, addressed to President FDR, warning him of the advances the Germans were making in creating an atomic bomb. They told him of the advances of uranium and nucear fission and how it could lead to the creation of an atomic bomb. They advised him to fund research into the creation of the atomic bomb. -
World War 2 Begins
Website 1:World War 2 began when Germany invaded Poland. Already the German scientists and engineers where ahead in the race of making an atomic bomb. The Germans had the greatest chemical engineering industry in the world and where well on their way in the making of an atomic bomb. -
Einstein-Szilard Letter is Received
President FDR recieved the letter from Einstein and other German scientists who fled Nazis. The letter urged the president to fund research for the creation of the atomic bomb.The president would take the letter seriously and started the Manhattan Project. -
Pearl Harbor and a New Enemy
The Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor. The U.S. and Great Britain declare war on Japan. This later leads to the U.S. bombing Japan in return. -
The Creation of the Manhattan Project
FDR creates the Manhattan Engineerying District aka The Manhattan Project. The would be in charge of creating an atomic bomb. They had to creat one before Germany or Japan could. -
Colonel Leslie Richard Groves Put in Charge
Col. Leslie Richard Groves is put in charge of the Manhattan Engineering District. He is also in charge of ordering Uranium for reasearch and the construction of atomic bombs, and finding a production site. This is considered the beginning of the Manhattan District. -
Los Alamos
Website 2:Los Alamos, New Mexico is created for weapons development. The location was chosen by physicist Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, a scientist who was helping create the atomic bomb. This place was chosen because they wanted the project to take place in an area that was isolated but accessible, a place with a good water supply, and a moderate climate -
First Controlled Fission
At the University of Chicago, Enrico Fermi and his team of fellow scientists produced the world's first controlled and self-sustained nuclear fission reaction. This resulted in nuclear energy. This later led to the creation of the atomic bomb and nuclear power plants. -
Carrier is Built
The US Military begin the remodeling a B-29 bomber for the delivery of the atomic bombs.The plane would drop two seperate bombs on to seperate locations in Japan. These bombs would go on to devastate the cities they were dropped on. -
Operation Downfall
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The allies gave American generals the job of planning Operation Downfall (the invasion of Japan.) The plan would have cost a massive toll in american lives lost. It was estimated 1.7-4 million americans would be killed. Luckily for the U.S. we used our bombs instead. -
First Atomic Bomb to be Blown Up
The explosion ended up being equivelent to 18,000 tons of TNT and created a flash that was seen from 200 miles away. It created a cloud 40,000 ft high, blew out the windows in homes up to 100 miles away, and turned the sand around it to glass. The U.S Government said that there was a large amunitions dump that exploded to keep the project secret. -
President Truman Orders Japan to be Bombed
Truman would be able to end the war by using the atomic bombs, but it involved exposing the worst weapon known to man (at that time). The decision to drop atomic bomba came about when the japanesse leaders rejected the Postdam Declaration.
Finally he ordered Japan to be bombed. -
Little Boy
Little Boy was dropped over Hiroshima, Japan on August 6, 1945. Over 100,000 people died. The government of Japan still refused to surrender to the U.S. -
Fat Man
Fat Man was released over Nagasaki, Japan (It was going to be dropped over another city, but couldn't due to the bad weather.) Fat Man killed 40,000 and injured around 60,000 more. Not knowing that the U.S. had no more atomic bombs Japan surrendered unconditionally on August 15, 1945. -
Japan Surrenders
Japanese representatives signed the official "Instrument of Surrender" (a piece of paper saying they were surrendering). The document was prepared by the War Department and approved by President Truman. It was only eight short paragraphs long.
