America’s Secret Weapon
“We have raised again the question of whether science is good for man, of whether it is good to learn about the world, to try to understand it, to try to control it… Because we are scientists, we must say an unalterable yes” (Bennett-Woods 23). J. Robert Oppenheimer was born on April 22, 1904 in New York City. He grew up in a wealthy family, and his intelligence could be seen from very early on. He graduated from Harvard with honors and went on to work in Europe with other great scientists. Oppenheimer returned to the United States after several years and taught at the University of California, Berkeley. He was recruited to lead the Manhattan Project in order to develop the atomic bomb and successfully created the bombs that would be used on Japan to end World War II. Controversy rose later in his life as an advisor for use of nuclear weapons, and he died of throat cancer on February 18, 1967. Oppenheimer’s development was affected by many different people, but most notably his grandfather and college professor made him who he was. The era was also significant, as he matured during a time when the world suffered under both economic and political struggles. His work with the atomic bomb was vital to the swift success of his country in World War II, and Oppenheimer made great progress for the state of physics in America. Although some argue that his work was ultimately harmful and negative, Oppenheimer only ever intended to advance science and support his country. Oppenheimer’s contributions to science make him an American hero as he helped bring the country out of war and progressed physics in America.
Several people played key roles to Oppenheimer’s development when he was young, but the two most significant influences were his grandfather and Professor Percy Bridgman, who both led Oppenheimer towards focusing on and loving science. Before he began school, his grandfather introduced him to science and sparked a lifelong interest. His grandfather’s influence was clear, as “at the age of five he was taken to Germany, where his grandfather, Ben, gave him a small box holding two dozen rock samples… The gift turned Robert into an ardent mineral collector” (Larsen 17). From his youth, Oppenheimer was very intelligent and could have excelled in many fields, but he chose to focus on science as he had developed a passion for it due to his grandfather’s gift. Despite his small role in Oppenheimer’s life, his grandfather was significant as he pushed Oppenheimer towards not only science, but also going past expectations as “by the age of eleven, when most boys are stumbling through schoolwork and spending their free time playing ball, he was elected to the prestigious New York Mineralogical Club, where he even gave lectures on his finds” (Larsen 17). In addition, Percy W. Bridgman was a Nobel laureate for his work in experimental physics, and he taught at Harvard during Oppenheimer’s college years. Bridgman’s guidance led the young scientist to physics and laboratory work. Oppenheimer studied with Bridgman at Harvard where he began working with pressure and alloys, and he gained valuable knowledge about how to perform laboratory work and was turned towards physics (Larsen 24). Like his grandfather, Bridgman guided Oppenheimer to find his own success in the field of physics. Bridgman taught him aspects of experimental physics, which led Oppenheimer to apply for work in the experimental field of atomic research. Both Bridgman and his grandfather were central to Oppenheimer’s development early on as a scientist.
Similarly, the suffering and economic hardship in the world during the 1930s shaped Oppenheimer’s morality and motivation for his work. The rise of Nazism and anti-Semitism in Germany was one of the most important influences on Oppenheimer as it led him to work with a more political purpose. While he was teaching at Berkeley, “a number of political and social problems had intruded into Oppenheimer’s secure academic life and disrupted his detachment from the outside world. He had become furious about the oppression of Jews in Germany” (Larsen 35). Oppenheimer’s intentions were to study and teach science independent of society, but the treatment of Jews in Germany altered his plans and prompted Oppenheimer’s support for the United States’ effort against Germany. As he was both Jewish and German, the events occurring in Europe against the Jews were very important and influential to him, and they pushed Oppenheimer toward working with the purpose to help the country’s war efforts rather than only for science and research. Furthermore, the suffering brought about by the Great Depression allowed Oppenheimer to better understand the needs of others. During the same time of his teaching, “Oppenheimer also worried about the finances of others. ‘I saw what the Depression was doing to my students’ … he made a will leaving his money to the University of California for fellowships for graduate students” (Larsen 35). Oppenheimer himself never had to worry about money, so it was particularly difficult and moving for him to see other people around him struggle. Oppenheimer also wanted to see his students succeed, and seeing them unable to find jobs led him towards left-wing politics and social equality. This, along with his profession as a teacher, gave him a sense of responsibility that caused him to work with the well-being of others in mind. The oppression of Jews by the Nazis as well as the Great Depression forced him away from his disconnected life of study and were deeply impactful to Oppenheimer and his purpose in science.
Oppenheimer’s role in the development of nuclear weapons which allowed the United States to quickly end the war with Japan proved that he is an American hero. Oppenheimer held the most important role in leading the Manhattan Project, which was the plan to create the atomic bombs to be used in the war. Within the project, “Oppenheimer supervised the construction of the huge complex… and the collection of equipment needed for research. He had to put together a team of leading scientists… and get them to work together in harmony” (“J. Robert Oppenheimer." Biographies 189). Not only did Oppenheimer do much of the research to develop the atomic bombs, but he also facilitated the whole project for the other scientists and people involved. Without his help, the nuclear weapons would not have been ready until much later, lengthening the war and strain on the country. Additionally, Oppenheimer helped to save countless American lives as he advised that the atomic bomb should be used against Japan. The circumstances regarding Oppenheimer and the bombs were that “the only alternative to the bomb, the U.S. government asserted, was to invade Japan, which would cost many American lives… he and the other scientists recommended that the United States use the atomic bomb against Japan” (“J. Robert Oppenheimer." Biographies 190). The decision to use the bombs was difficult for the scientists within the project as many of them only wanted their research to be used peacefully, but Oppenheimer understood that the use would be necessary for the United States. His choice shows how Oppenheimer valued saving the lives of many Americans over some of his beliefs, supporting his image as an American hero. Oppenheimer’s role in developing the atomic bombs was vital for the success of the United States in World War II as he led the project itself and supported using the nuclear weapons, demonstrating his tremendous importance in American history.
Oppenheimer’s life also improved America as he worked throughout his career as a scientist and teacher to advance physics in the country. As a teacher, Oppenheimer helped physics in America grow by bringing up new scientists to continue pursuing science. Af
ter his work in the war, “Oppenheimer became the director of the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University, overseeing its development into a first-rate physics research center. Under his leadership the institute’s population grew, attracting many young scientists who enjoyed the lively atmosphere” (“J. Robert Oppenheimer." Biographies 191). His efforts to raise up new minds who would continue to advance physics demonstrate his desire for the country to succeed in science. Many of the great scientific minds during Oppenheimer’s life came from foreign countries throughout the world and he himself also spent much time working in Europe, but he returned to help create more great minds from his own country, showing his dedication to America. Aside from his role as a leader within the scientific community, Oppenheimer made several contributions himself, emphasizing his importance to science in the country. Some of his accomplishments were “work on transitions in the continuous spectrum, leading to his first calculations of the emission of x-rays. He also developed… the method for handling… the degrees of freedom of molecules, one of the classic parts of quantum theory, referred to as the Born-Oppenheimer method” ("Oppenheimer, J. Robert." Complete Dictionary 214). Oppenheimer’s discoveries and progress in physics continue to prove how important he was to science in America and the world as he contributed to the scientific community in every possible way. Oppenheimer’s career is remembered almost exclusively for his work with the nuclear bombs, even though he spent much of his life developing other aspects of physics and working to advance science in America.
Opponents argue that Oppenheimer cannot be considered a hero due to the destruction and danger created by the atomic bombs; however, they need to understand that Oppenheimer’s intentions were always for peaceful purposes. Critics often note how destructive the nuclear weapons were to dispute Oppenheimer being a hero for the country. In fact, when the bombs were used, “sixty thousand people were killed instantly, and another 200,000 subsequently died as a result of burn and radiation injuries… the more powerful plutonium bomb killed or injured more than 65,000 and destroyed half of the city” (Lerner 247). However, Oppenheimer and many of the other scientists that were a part of the Manhattan Project were not working to cause destruction but develop atomic energy. Oppenheimer himself explained that “the heart of our proposal was the recommendation of an International Atomic Development Authority, entrusted with the research, development, and exploration of the peaceful applications of atomic energy” (Oppenheimer The Open Mind 6). The scientists who worked with the atomic bombs wanted to serve the country and its efforts in the war, but Oppenheimer shows how they hoped the research could be used for other purposes, as developing dangerous nuclear weapons was not the sole intention of the project. As a result, many of the scientists on the project felt deep remorse for their work with the atomic bomb and the destruction that it brought. Oppenheimer noted that “the physicists felt a peculiarly intimate responsibility for suggesting, for supporting, and… achieving the realization of atomic weapons. Nor can we forget that these weapons… dramatized so mercilessly the inhumanity and evil of modern war” (Oppenheimer The Open Mind 88). Oppenheimer defends the scientists against accusations of villainy for creating such weapons by explaining how apologetic the scientists felt about their work. Furthermore, after the war, most of the community, especially Oppenheimer, advocated for the control of the nuclear weapons and against the use of them in war. “He pushed hard for international control of atomic energy, and was appointed Chairman of the General Advisory Committee to the Atomic Energy Commission. It was in this role that he voiced strong opposition to the development of the H-bomb” (“J. Robert Oppenheimer, (1904-1967)”). Oppenheimer’s experience with the atomic bombs showed him and the country how dangerous they could be, so he used all of his influence to resist further damage from their work, confirming that he did not want nor support the destruction caused by the atomic bombs. Although some argue that Oppenheimer’s work only caused destruction, he proved the peaceful intentions of himself and the other scientists through words and actions.
Oppenheimer must be considered an American hero due to his contributions to science which advanced physics in America and greatly helped the country during the war. Many people influenced Oppenheimer when he was young but the two most significant were his grandfather and his college professor Percy Bridgman. He was also largely shaped by the era, notably the Great Depression and rise of Nazism in Germany. He advanced physics in America and Oppenheimer and his team within the Manhattan Project allowed the United States to close out the war with Japan using the newly developed atomic weapons. Despite some opponents trying to discredit Oppenheimer as a hero, he proves otherwise through his nonviolent and scientific motivations and work. J. Robert Oppenheimer was one of the greatest scientists in American history, and although controversial, his work will be remembered forever because of his impact on the nation and his endless dedication to his country, providing a lasting example for all aspiring scholars and scientists on how they can serve America.