Build Background Albert Einstein (18791955) is widely

regarded as one of the most important scientists of all time. Born

and raised in Germany, Einstein studied physics, the science of
matter and energy. Einstein, who was Jewish, escaped from Nazi
Germany in 1933. He settled in the United States, where he spent
the remainder of his life. Einstein was a pacifist who strongly
opposed war.
Read with a Purpose Read the following selections to learn
about Einsteins opinion of war.
Weapons of the Spirit
by Albert Einstein
from an interview with George
Sylvester Viereck
from Einstein on Peace
It may not be possible in one
generation to eradicate I the combative
instinct. It is not even desirable to
eradicate it entirely. Men should continue
to fight, but they should fight for things
worthwhile, not for imaginary
geographical lines, racial prejudices, and
private greed draped in the colors of
patriotism. Their arms should be weapons of the spirit, not shrapnel and
tanks.
Think of what a world we could build if the power unleashed in war were
applied to constructive tasks! One tenth of the energy that the various
belligerents spent in the World War, a fraction of the money they exploded
in hand grenades and poison gas, would suffice to raise the standard of
living in every country and avert the economic catastrophe of worldwide
unemployment.
We must be prepared to make the same heroic sacrifices for the cause
of peace that we make ungrudgingly for the cause of war. There is no task
that is more important or closer to my heart.
Nothing that I can do or say will change the structure of the universe.
But maybe, by raising my voice, I can help the greatest of all causes
goodwill among men and peace on earth.
1931

Informational Focus
Paraphrase According to Einstein, what are the wrong types of
battles? Paraphrase this paragraph.
Informational Focus
Author's Purpose What is Einstein's purpose in saying this?

Build Background During the 1930s, the Nazis built up German
military power with the aim of dominating Europe. The political
situation in Germany convinced Einstein of the importance of
researching the possibility of developing nuclear weapons.

At that time, scientists in the United States and Europe were
making strides in investigating how to create a nuclear chain
reaction, which would release the tremendous amount of energy
needed to create bombs. Scientists suspected that the
government of Nazi Germany was sponsoring similar experiments.

Shortly before World War II broke out, scientists persuaded
Einstein to sign a letter addressed to President Franklin D.
Roosevelt warning of the Nazis research in nuclear weapons. This
famous letter led to the establishment of the Manhattan Project,
which developed the atomic bombs dropped on Japan in August
1945 that ushered in the nuclear age.
Letter to President Roosevelt
by Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein
Old Grove Rd.
Nassau Point
Peconic, Long Island
August 2nd, 1939
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 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
Americathat it may become possible to set up a 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 conceivablethough much less certainthat 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 inofficial 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 giving particular attention to the problem of securing a supply of
uranium ore for the United States;
b) 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 Weizscker, 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)

Informational Focus
Compare and Contrast How do the ideas in this letter differ from
those in "Weapons of the Spirit"?
Informational Focus
Audience In what way are these solutions Einstein proposes
appropriate for his audience, the president?
On the Abolition of the Threat of War
from Ideas and Opinions by Albert Einstein

My part in producing the atomic bomb consisted in a single act: I
signed a letter to President Roosevelt, pressing the need for experiments on
a large scale in order to explore the possibilities for the production of an
atomic bomb.
I was fully aware of the terrible danger to mankind in case this attempt
succeeded. But the likelihood that the Germans were working on the same
problem with a chance of succeeding forced me to this step. I could do
nothing else although I have always been a convinced pacifist. To my mind,
to kill in war is not a whit better than to commit ordinary murder.
As long, however, as the nations are not resolved to abolish war through
common actions and to solve their conflicts and protect their interests by
peaceful decisions on a legal basis, they feel compelled to prepare for war.
They feel obliged to prepare all possible means, even the most detestable
ones, so as not to be left behind in the general armament race. This road
necessarily leads to war, a war which under the present conditions means
universal destruction.
Under these circumstances the fight against means has no chance of
success. Only the radical abolition of wars and of the threat of war can
help. This is what one has to work for. One has to be resolved not to let
himself be forced to actions that run counter to this goal. This is a severe
demand on an individual who is conscious of his dependence on society.
But it is not an impossible demand.
Gandhi, the greatest political genius of our time, has pointed the way.
He has shown of what sacrifices people are capable once they have found
the right way. His work for the liberation of India is a living testimony
5
to the
fact that a will governed by firm conviction is stronger than a seemingly
invincible material power.
1952

Informational Focus
Connect How does the opening paragraph relate to the previous
letter? In the next paragraph, how does Einstein justify writing
that letter?
Informational Focus
Paraphrase Paraphrase this paragraph. Then, explain why
Einstein calls Gandhi a political genius.
Build Background Although the United States and the former
Soviet Union were allies during World War II, they later became
involved in a power struggle known as the Cold War. The two
superpowers engaged in an arms racea competition to develop
more and more powerful nuclear weapons. In 1952, the United
States successfully tested the first hydrogen bomb, a weapon
much more powerful than the atomic bomb. In 1953, the Soviet
Union exploded its own hydrogen bomb.
The Arms Race
from Einstein on Peace by Albert Einstein
The arms race between the United
States and the Soviet Union, initiated
originally as a preventive measure,
assumes hysterical proportions. On both
sides, means of mass destruction are
being perfected with feverish haste and
behind walls of secrecy. And now the
public has been advised that the
production of the hydrogen bomb is the
new goal which will probably be
accomplished. An accelerated
development toward this end has been
solemnly proclaimed by the President. If
these efforts should prove successful,
radioactive poisoning of the atmosphere
and, hence, annihilation of all life on
earth will have been brought within the
range of what is technically possible.
The weird aspect of this development lies in its apparently inexorable
character. Each step appears as the inevitable consequence of the one that
went before. And at the end, looming ever clearer, lies general annihilation.

Informational Focus
Paraphrase Einstein describes a cause-and-effect relationship in

Einstein and physicist J.
Robert Oppenheimer, who led
Americas effort to produce an
atomic bomb.
the last three sentences of this paragraph. Paraphrase these
sentences to clarify the point he makes.
Is there any way out of this impasse created by man himself? All of us, and
particularly those who are responsible for the policies of the United States
and the Soviet Union, must realize that, although we have vanquished an
external enemy, we have proved unable to free ourselves from the war
mentality. We shall never achieve real peace as long as every step is taken
with a possible future conflict in view, especially since it becomes ever
clearer that such a war would spell universal annihilation. The guiding
thought in all political action should therefore be: What can we do in the
prevailing situation to bring about peaceful coexistence among all nations?
The first goal must be to do away with mutual fear and distrust. Solemn
renunciation of the policy of violence, not only with respect to weapons of
mass destruction, is without doubt necessary.
In the last analysis the peaceful coexistence of peoples is primarily
dependent upon mutual trust and, only secondarily, upon institutions such
as courts of justice and the police. This holds true for nations as well as for
individuals. And the basis of trust is a loyal relationship of give-and-take.
1950
Read with a Purpose What ideas about war did Einstein have?

Informational Focus
Author's Purpose Has Einstein's purpose changed over the
course of the selection writings? Explain.
Is there any way out of this impasse created by man himself? All of us, and
particularly those who are responsible for the policies of the United States
and the Soviet Union, must realize that, although we have vanquished an
external enemy, we have proved unable to free ourselves from the war
mentality. We shall never achieve real peace as long as every step is taken
with a possible future conflict in view, especially since it becomes ever
clearer that such a war would spell universal annihilation. The guiding
thought in all political action should therefore be: What can we do in the
prevailing situation to bring about peaceful coexistence among all nations?
The first goal must be to do away with mutual fear and distrust. Solemn
renunciation of the policy of violence, not only with respect to weapons of
mass destruction, is without doubt necessary.
In the last analysis the peaceful coexistence of peoples is primarily
dependent upon mutual trust and, only secondarily, upon institutions such
as courts of justice and the police. This holds true for nations as well as for
individuals. And the basis of trust is a loyal relationship of give-and-take.
1950
Read with a Purpose What ideas about war did Einstein have?

Informational Focus
Author's Purpose Has Einstein's purpose changed over the
course of the selection writings? Explain.
Four Readings by Albert Einstein
1. Which idea is included in both On the Abolition of the Threat
of War and The Arms Race?
A. Gandhi is a political role model.
B. The only part Einstein played in creating the bomb was
signing a letter to the president.
C. The United States is producing a hydrogen bomb.
D. The arms race will result in total destruction.

2. In which selections do Einsteins ideas about war and peace
differ the most?
A. Weapons of the Spirit and On the Abolition of the
Threat of War
B. Weapons of the Spirit and Letter to President
Roosevelt
C. The Arms Race and On the Abolition of the Threat of
War
D. Weapons of the Spirit and The Arms Race

3. If you read only Letter to President Roosevelt, you might
draw the incorrect conclusion that Einstein
A. felt the United States needed to protect itself
B. was aware of new troubling scientific research
C. believed nuclear weapons could be dangerous
D. was a firm believer in war

4. Which topic below is most clearly connected to the content of
the selections you just read?
A. The breakup of the Soviet Union in the 1990s
B. The training of physicists
C. The status of nuclear weapons today
D. The policies of President Roosevelt

5. What is the best definition of eradicate?
A. To hinder
B. To collect something
C. To eliminate completely
D. To help along

6. If a person said a radical change in weather is coming, what
could one expect?
A. Another sunny day
B. A change from 60 degrees to 55 degrees
C. An ice storm during summer
D. Fog after rain

7. Which is the best synonym for conceivable?
A. Believable
B. Fertile
C. Dangerous
D. Impossible

Writing Focus
Constructed Response If you had a time machine and could go
back to 1939 before Einstein wrote his letter to President
Roosevelt, what would you tell Einstein? Considering what you
know about Einsteins ideas, do you think he might have acted
differently if given different advice? Explain.

What Do You Think Now?
Do you think Einstein would be pleased with the state of
the world today? Why or why not?