On August 6, 1945 an atomic bomb was dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. On August 9, a second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. Altogether, the two bombings killed an estimated 110,000 Japanese citizens and injured another 130,000. By 1950, another 230,000 Japanese had died from injuries or radiation. Though the two cities were nominally military targets, the overwhelming majority of the casualties were civilian. Albert Einstein, renowned as the scientist who discovered the power of the atom, immediately regretted what he had wrought on hearing of the bombings. In fact, much of his last ten years of life were spent attempting to address what had been unleashed, and speak of an agnostic's wish for the spiritual. The following was published in a Japanese magazine two years before his death in 1955. Two months after his death, a proclamation for the eradication of all nuclear weapons was released under Einstein's name, along with that of philosopher Bertrand Russell and a number of other leading intellectuals of the day
My participation in the production of the atom bomb consisted in a single act: I signed a letter to President Roosevelt. this letter stressed the necessity of large scale experimentation to ascertain the possibility of producing an atom bomb. I was well aware of the dreadful danger for all mankind, if these experiments would succeed. But the probability that the Germans might work on that very problem with good chance of success prompted me to take that step. I did not see any other way out, although I always was a convinced pacifist. To kill in war time, it seems to me, is in no ways better than common murder. As long however, as nations are ready to abolish war by common action and to solve their conflicts in a peaceful way on a legal basis. they feel compelled to prepare for war. They feel moreover compelled to prepare the most abominable means, in order not to be left behind in the general armaments race. Such procedure leads inevitable to war, which, in turn, under todays conditions, spells universal destruction. Under such circumstances there is no hope in combating the production of specific weapons or means of destruction. Only radical abolition of war and of danger of war can help. Toward this goal one should strive; in fact nobody should allow himself to be forced into actions contrary to this goal. This is a harsh demand for anyone who is aware of his social inter-relatedness; but it can be followed. Gandhi, the greatest political genius of our time has shown the way, and has demonstrated the sacrifices man is willing to bring if only he has found the right way. His work for the liberation of India is a living example that man's will, sustained by an indomitable conviction is stronger than apparently invincible material power. A. Einstein Princeton, NJ