CHICAGO METRO HISTORY FAIR 2013 SUMMARY STATEMENT FORM

Please TYPE on sheet or use word processing ALL PROJECTS: Attach an annotated bibliography. Please divide primary and secondary sources from each other. Two copies of SSF & Annotated Bibliography are required for competitions. .

Title _____________The Manhattan Project________________________________________________ Student name(s) ___Mariah Helm, Anna Dennis________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Project Category: Group Individual

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Exhibit

Performance

Documentary

Website

Check if applicable (and respond to the 3rdquestion): This project uses the 2013 National History Day theme, Turning Points in History: People, Ideas, Events

1. THESIS STATEMENT
Present the projects argument or interpretation in two sentences. If you are using the NHD theme, you might want to make it evident in your thesis statement.

The Manhattan Project in 1942, created the first atomic bomb reactor. The atomic bomb positively affected the US during and after WWII.

2. SUMMARY OF PROJECT
Briefly explain your project and its conclusion. Include: How and why did change happen and what was the impact? Why is it historically significant? What historical meaning or importance can we learn from your findings?

The goal of the Manhattan Project was to create an atomic bomb before Germany did. Scientists were successful after the US Government created labs across the United States of America

and funded research. These labs were spearheaded by scientists around the world including Enrico Fermi. One of the most important labs was the MET Lab located in Chicago which Fermi led. After creating the first atomic bomb reactor in Chicago, the rest of the bomb was complete in 1945. Without the reactor, it would have been impossible to create the rest of the bomb. The bombs were then dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August of 1945 causing Japan to surrender. Without the creation of the atomic bomb many more American lives would have been lost in WWII. Because of the horrifying effects, the first two bombs also prevented further use of other nuclear warfare. Overall, the atomic bomb benefited the US.

3. Required for projects using the National History Day theme only.
Explain how this project integrates the NHD theme Turning Points in History: People, Ideas, Events into its argument.

The theme Turning Points in History: People, Ideas, Events is extremely relevant to the proceedings of the Manhattan Project. It is not only relevant to the US, but it expands to politics, government, cultures and science. The people involved in this project were essential to the creation of the atomic bomb and the welfare of the US during and after WWII. Most of these people were scientists and government related officials such as Enrico Fermi, Robert Oppenheimer, Franklin Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover, and Albert Einstein. These individuals participated in the manufacturing of the first atomic bomb. The ideas that were sparked in the early 1900s came to life during WWII. These included nuclear warfare and the splitting of atoms. These ideas also led to branch of technology for scientists to explore and comprehend. Because of these ideas, there were many debates over nuclear warfare and its morals. After the creation of the atomic bomb, the US dropped two bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The devastating effects of this event threw Japan into tumult. They surrendered and the war was soon over. When people saw the huge death toll and illness that followed the bomb, it prevent further use of this type of nuclear warfare. Overall, without the people, ideas, and events of the Manhattan Project, the creation of nuclear warfare would have been impossible.

4. PROCESS A. What historical question did you start off withand how did it change once you began doing your research? We stated off with the question, What is the Manhattan Project? As research and time progressed, we began to realize that Chicago also greatly impacted the Manhattan Project. With this understanding came the realization that Chicagos part in this Project not only impacted the rest of the US but also many other countries involved in WWII. We decided to focus predominantly on how the atomic bomb benefited the US during and after WWII. Thus providing us with an adequate topic for this years Chicago History Fair.

B. What kinds of sources did you use as evidence to develop your argument (for example, letters,
photographs, government documents, interviews, etc.)?

For the information, we are mainly using recorded letters, websites, photographs, and quotes. Because we are doing a website, there needs to be a lot of visual aspects so we also included a video and pictures for each page. Our website includes both primary and secondary resources that are all cited under the References section.

C. Select one piece of evidence that you used and explain how it influenced your argument.

One of the pieces of evidence we used was a letter written by Enrico Fermi. This letter includes a description of an atomic bomb test that occurred. He describes what he saw, how he felt, and the effects. This influences our argument because it shows the power of the atomic bomb and how it was able to effectively end WWII. D. List libraries (other than school), museums, and other institutions that you visited to do your research. The Harold Washington Library The Blackstone Branch