J. Robert Oppenheimer

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J. Robert Oppenheimer was born on April 22, 1904, in New York City, to a wealthy, secular Jewish family of German descent. His father was a successful textile importer, and his mother was a painter. Though the family was not religiously observant, they embraced cultural Judaism and liberal values. Oppenheimer grew up surrounded by books, art, and scientific curiosity. He attended the Ethical Culture School, which emphasized intellectual excellence, personal ethics, and social responsibility — all values rooted in his Jewish heritage. From an early age, he showed brilliance in languages, literature, and especially science. 

Robert Oppenheimer is best known as the scientific director of the Manhattan Project, the top-secret U.S. government program that developed the first atomic bomb during World War II. Under his leadership, some of the greatest scientific minds in the world worked at Los Alamos Laboratory in New Mexico to create a weapon that would ultimately change the course of history. On July 16, 1945, the first successful test of the bomb took place — an event that marked the beginning of the nuclear age. While Oppenheimer made groundbreaking contributions to theoretical physics, it was his role in managing this massive, high-stakes project that solidified his place in world history. 

The success of the Manhattan Project helped bring World War II to an end, but it also introduced the world to the threat of nuclear warfare. After the war, Oppenheimer became an outspoken advocate for controlling nuclear weapons and warned against an arms race. His conscience was deeply troubled by the bomb’s destructive power. He famously quoted the Hindu scripture, "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds," after witnessing the first nuclear explosion. His political views and opposition to developing the hydrogen bomb eventually led to a controversial security hearing in 1954, which cost him his government clearance. Today, Oppenheimer is remembered not only as a scientific genius, but also as a complex moral figure — a man who changed the world, and then tried to save it from his own creation. 

• Scientific director of the Manhattan Project
   
• Oversaw the creation of the first atomic bomb
   
• Helped end World War II but sparked the beginning of the nuclear age
   
• Became a strong advocate for nuclear arms control
   
• Influenced U.S. science policy as head of the Atomic Energy Commission’s advisory board
   
• A symbol of scientific responsibility and ethical conflict
   
• One of the most brilliant theoretical physicists of his time

Scenario:
You are a scientist working on a powerful new weapon. It could end the war and save lives — but it could also kill thousands and change warfare forever.

Task:
Divide students into two teams:

• Team A argues for using the bomb to end the war quickly.
   
• Team B argues against using the bomb, due to its destructive power.
   

After the debate, discuss:

What do you think Oppenheimer felt — before and after the bomb was used?

Prompt:
Imagine you're living in 1945, just after the atomic bomb was created. Create a wartime propaganda poster that either:

• Celebrates science’s role in ending the war, or
   
• Warns the world about the danger of nuclear power.
   

Guidelines:
Encourage creativity. Use slogans, imagery, and facts. Discuss how governments use science and media together.