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Weapons Of Mass Destruction Essay

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In the text weapons of mass destruction refers to materials, weapons, or devices that are intended to cause death or serious bodily injury to a significant number of people (page 711, para. 3,4). In 1939, Albert Einstein’s Letter to President Roosevelt mentioned that the work of scientists E. Fermi and L. Szilard led him to expect that ‘uranium’ may be turned into a source of energy in the immediate future (Page 1, para. 1). Einstein knew how powerful uranium was and how a very large amount of it could set up a nuclear chain reaction. He knew that if in case this did happen he wanted the president to be well prepared for the outcome. Einstein argued that weapons of mass destruction required a lot of attention and if they are going to be initiated then the following steps should be followed: a person who is confident and trustworthy should keep the government updated with further development and put forward recommendations for government action, particularly the secure supply of uranium (Page 2, para. 6). Secondly, this person should also speed up work by making sure funds are provided and also that they have the necessary equipment needed for completion (page 2, para. 7)

In the Draft of Press Release Announcing the Use of the Atomic Bomb in 1945, Stimson argued that he believed dropping the bomb would force japan to surrender on terms acceptable to the United States. He quotes “It was to spare the Japanese people from utter destruction that the ultimatum of July 26 was

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