Letter to Franklin Delano Roosevelt [1939]
Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
F. D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States
White House
Washington, D.C.
Sir:
Some recent work by E. Fermi and L. Szilard, which has been communicated to me in manuscript, leads me to expect that the element uranium may be turned into a new and important source of energy in the immediate future. Certain aspects of the situation which has [sic] arisen seem to call for watchfulness and, if necessary, quick action on the part of the Administration. I believe therefore that it is my duty to bring to your attention the following facts and recommendations:
In the course of the last four months it has been made probable—through the work of Joliot in France as well as Fermi and Szilard in America—that it may become possible to set up a new nuclear chain reaction in a large mass of uranium, by which vast amounts of power and large quantities of new radium-like elements would be generated. Now it appears almost certain that this could be achieved in the immediate future.
This new phenomenon would also lead to the construction of bombs, and it is conceivable—though much less certain—that extremely powerful bombs of a new type may thus be constructed. A single bomb of this type, carried by boat and exploded in a port, might very well destroy the whole port together with some of the surrounding territory. However, such bombs might very well prove to be too heavy for transportation by air.
The United States has only very poor ores of uranium in moderate quantities. There is some good ore in Canada and the former Czechoslovakia, while the most important source of uranium is Belgian Congo. In view of this situation you may think it desirable to have some permanent contact maintained between the Administration and the group of physicists working on chain reactions in America. One possible way of achieving this might be for you to entrust with this task a person who has your confidence and who could perhaps serve in an official capacity. His task might comprise the following:
a) to approach Government Departments, keep them informed of the further development and put forward recommendations for
Government action,
b) giving particular attention to the problem of securing a supply of uranium ore for the United States;
c) to speed up the experimental work, which is at present being carried on within the limits of the budgets of University laboratories, by providing funds, if such funds be required, through his contacts with private persons who are willing to make contributions for this cause, and perhaps also by obtaining the co-operation of industrial laboratories which have the necessary equipment.
I understand that Germany has actually stopped the sale of uranium from the Czechoslovakian mines which she has taken over. That she should have taken such early action might perhaps be understood on the ground that the son of the German Under-Secretary of State, von Weizacker, is attached to the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Institut in Berlin where some of the American work on uranium is now being repeated.
Yours very truly,
Albert Einstein
Questions for Discussion
1. In both paragraphs 2 and 3, Einstein makes use of the dash
A) to emphasize the words set off
B) as an exception to the point immediately before it
C) to sound more scholarly and formal
D) as an informal aside to what was said previously
E) to summarize
2. The omission of a cordial opening and identification of the credentials of the writer imply all of the following except:
A) Einstein expects his name alone will identify him
B) Einstein assumes that the information he presents is compelling enough to command a response
C) Einstein believes himself too busy and important to waste time on pleasantries
D) As a scientist, Einstein was accustomed to having the facts speak for themselves
E) They’ve had previous contact
3. The purpose of the listing in paragraph 5 is to
A) secure Einstein’s role as Roosevelt’s “permanent contact”
B) suggest a plan of necessary action to ensure American security
C) increase research funding for further nuclear experimentation
D) end scientific research leading to the construction of nuclear bombs
E) send a letter of warning to Germany
4. Einstein’s attitude can best be described as
A) confrontational
B) deferential
C) cautionary
D) complacent
E) antagonistic
5. Einstein’s first paragraph suggests all of the following except:
A) FDR is not staying abreast of important scientific developments
B) Einstein is concerned about how the administration is handling the new developments in uranium research
C) Einstein is concerned that the administration may be unaware of important developments in the scientific community
D) Einstein is an authority in the use of uranium
E) FDR is familiar with the work of Fermi and Szilard
6. Which of the following best identifies Einstein’s primary mode of discourse in his letter to FDR?
A) narration
B) process
C) analysis
D) persuasion
E) exposition
7. To illustrate the gravity of the situation, Einstein uses all of the following except:
A) “call for watchfulness” [paragraph 1]
B) “it is my duty” [paragraph 1]
C) “appears almost certain” [paragraph 2]
D) “in the immediate future” [paragraph 2]
E) “obtaining the cooperation” [paragraph 7]
8. Einstein understates the urgency of developing “chain reactions” in America
A) with the repetition of the words might and may
B) by excluding a fatalistic prediction
C) by mentioning “other countries repeating America’s work”
D) with the phrase “though much less certain”
E) all of the above
9. To persuade Roosevelt to consider his recommendations, Einstein uses all of the following approaches except:
A) discussions with other members of the scientific community
B) appeals to fear
C) presentation of evidence
D) making predictions
E) offering a plan
10. In his letter, Einstein’s own assumptions are all of the following except:
A) his interpretation of the manuscript is accessible
B) his reputation as a scientist lends weight to his opinion
C) his plan can be implemented quietly
D) his urgency concerning the situation is apparent
E) Germany recognizes the urgency of the situation
11. After a careful reading of the letter, which of the following inferences is not valid?
A) Einstein understood the urgency of addressing the nuclear problem.
B) Einstein assumed FDR would react to the letter.
C) Einstein viewed the private sector as a means of circumventing possible governmental impasse.
D) The Germans could have possibly misunderstood the significance of this scientific discovery.
E) Einstein is suspicious of German espionage.