Question 1

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. 
Manhattan Project

Accepted Answer

The Manhattan Project was a research and development undertaking during World War II that produced the first nuclear weapons. It was led by the United States with the support of the United Kingdom and Canada. The project was named after the Manhattan Engineer District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, because much of the early research was done in New York City.

Significant figures in the Manhattan Project included theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, often referred to as the "father of the atomic bomb," who served as the head of the Los Alamos Laboratory in New Mexico where the actual bomb design and construction took place. General Leslie R. Groves of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers directed the overall program.

The project began modestly in 1939, but grew to employ more than 130,000 people and cost nearly US $2 billion (equivalent to about $28 billion in 2020). Research and production took place at more than 30 sites across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

The Manhattan Project culminated in the creation of two types of atomic bombs: a uranium-based design codenamed "Little Boy" and a plutonium-based design codenamed "Fat Man." These were the first and only nuclear weapons used in war to date. "Little Boy" was dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and "Fat Man" was dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. The bombings led to the deaths of approximately 200,000 people—mostly civilians—and contributed to Japan's unconditional surrender on August 15, 1945, effectively ending World War II.

The Manhattan Project is significant not only for its role in ending World War II but also for its impact on the development of nuclear energy and the arms race during the Cold War. It raised profound ethical questions about the use of nuclear weapons and set the stage for nuclear proliferation and the need for arms control agreements.

Question 2

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. 
T he "Good Neighbor" policy

Accepted Answer

The "Good Neighbor" policy was a foreign policy initiative introduced by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933. The policy aimed to improve relations with Latin American countries by promoting non-intervention and cooperation. This was a significant shift from previous U.S. policies in the region, which had often been characterized by military intervention and economic exploitation.

The "Good Neighbor" policy included the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Nicaragua, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, as well as efforts to renegotiate unequal treaties and promote economic development in Latin America. It also emphasized mutual respect and non-interference in the internal affairs of Latin American countries.

The policy was significant because it marked a departure from traditional U.S. imperialism in the region and sought to build more equitable and cooperative relationships with Latin American nations. It also helped to improve the image of the United States in the region and laid the groundwork for future diplomatic and economic cooperation.

Question 3

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. 
War Powers Act

Accepted Answer

The War Powers Act, officially known as the War Powers Resolution of 1973, is a federal law intended to check the U.S. president's power to commit the United States to an armed conflict without the consent of the U.S. Congress. The Act was passed over the veto of President Richard Nixon on November 7, 1973, in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, which had escalated without an official declaration of war.

The significance of the War Powers Act lies in its attempt to balance the executive and legislative branches' powers regarding U.S. military involvement. The Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war, while the president is designated as the commander-in-chief of the U.S. armed forces. Over time, presidents had increasingly committed U.S. forces to conflicts without explicit Congressional approval, leading to concerns over unchecked executive power.

Key provisions of the War Powers Act include:

1. The president must notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action and forbids armed forces from remaining for more than 60 days, with a further 30-day withdrawal period, without a Congressional authorization for use of military force (AUMF) or a declaration of war by the United States.

2. The law requires the president to consult with Congress "in every possible instance" before committing troops to battle and regularly thereafter.

The War Powers Act has been a subject of controversy since its enactment. Many presidents have regarded it as an unconstitutional infringement on their powers as commander-in-chief. The Act has been invoked several times but has not been thoroughly tested in court, and questions about its effectiveness and constitutionality continue to be debated.

Despite its controversial nature, the War Powers Act remains a significant piece of legislation as it represents an ongoing struggle to define the limits of presidential and congressional authority over military affairs. It is a key point of reference in debates over U.S. military engagements and the use of force abroad.

Question 4

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. 
Neutrality Acts

Accepted Answer