The document discusses the Manhattan Project, the US effort during World War II to develop the atomic bomb. It cost $2 billion ($27 billion today) and involved over 40 labs and 200,000 people across New York, Tennessee, California and New Mexico. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 were the first uses of nuclear weapons in warfare and caused immense destruction through pressure damage, fallout and potential for nuclear winter. The document also provides a hypothetical scenario of a 150 kiloton nuclear bomb detonated in Manhattan to illustrate the potential damage and casualties of a nuclear attack on a major city.

1. The Atomic Bomb Drop
Neiffer’s World Cultures @ Capital HS

2. Why does the US develop the bomb?
August, 1939: Albert Einstein (formerly of Germany) writes FDR

3. He argues that the US is well behind Nazi Germany on
the development of nuclear weapon.

4. WAS GERMANY ACTUALLY DEVELOPING “THE BOMB?”
Yes, but...
1. Germany lacked
scientists
2. Hitler didn’t want it
It is a waste of
German
resources...make
more rockets!

5. FDR orders the
development of nuclear
weapons as a defensive
measure.

6. THE MANHATTAN PROJECT

7. US e ffort to
e
deve lop th
bomb
THE MANHATTAN PROJECT

8. US e ffort to
e
deve lop th
bomb
THE MANHATTAN PROJECT
US
dev spent
elop $2 b
ing illion
in 2 ($27
000 billio
doll
ars) n

9. US e ffort to
e
deve lop th
bomb
THE MANHATTAN PROJECT
US
Labs in N dev spent
ew York, elop $2 b
Tenn., Ca ing illion
lif., and in 2 ($27
New Mex 000 billio
doll
ico ars) n

10. US e ffort to 40 la
e bs in
deve lop th emp volve
loyin d,
bomb 200,
000
g ov
er
peop
le
THE MANHATTAN PROJECT
US
Labs in N dev spent
ew York, elop $2 b
Tenn., Ca ing illion
lif., and in 2 ($27
New Mex 000 billio
doll
ico ars) n

11. A MINI LESSONS IN NUCLEAR SCIENCE...

12. Three types of nuclear
damage...

13. Three types of nuclear
damage...
Pressure Damage – Damage from the force of the
bomb (heat, light, etc.)

14. Three types of nuclear
damage...
Pressure Damage – Damage from the force of the
bomb (heat, light, etc.)
Fallout – Radioactive waste thrown up in the air
after pressure damage

15. Three types of nuclear
damage...
Pressure Damage – Damage from the force of the
bomb (heat, light, etc.)
Fallout – Radioactive waste thrown up in the air
after pressure damage
Nuclear Winter – particles thrown up into
atmosphere…blocks sunlight, plants and animals
die

17. SADLY, MOST EFFECTS?
ESTIMATED...

18. AN EXAMPLE OF...
PRESSURE DAMAGE

31. AN EXAMPLE OF...
FALLOUT DAMAGE

32. CHINA NUCLEAR TEST, 1966

33. AN EXAMPLE OF...
NUCLEAR WINTER

34. ?

35. A COUPLE...
NUCLEAR DEMONSTRATIONS

37. NUKE...

38. NUKE...
NEW YORK CITY

39. A 150 kiloton bomb constructed by terrorists is detonated in the heart of
Manhattan, at the foot of the Empire State Building. The bomb goes off
without warning at noon time. It's a clear spring day with a breeze to the
east.
Assumptions:
There is no warning. The population has not been evacuated nor sought
shelter. Both measures could reduce casualties.
There is clear weather, with visibility of 9 miles (16 km).
This is an isolated attack, leaving the rest of the country free to respond.
A large percentage of the day time population is outside - 25%.
The daytime population density is roughly uniform and about 125,000
per square mile.
The shock wave will spread out uniformly in all directions, being
minimally affected by structures.