Princeton; New Jersey Dr. Einsteins residence; 112 Mercer St. Dr. Harold C. Urey; Dr. Albert Einstein and Dr. Leo Szilard. Dr. Urey and Dr. Einstein. cu Dr. Urey; Close Dr. Einstein; Urey reads written statement; subscribed to by other scientists; outlining their responsibility in the harnessing of the atom. Einstein agrees to the text.

Transkript Dr. Harold C. Urey speakting to Albert Einstein 1946

Historischer Kontext

In 1946, two scientists honoured with the Nobel Prize, Albert Einstein and Harold Urey, were both involved in efforts related to promoting peace and addressing the dangers of nuclear weapons following World War II. Their collaboration and public statements reflected their concerns about the potential for nuclear devastation and the need for international control of atomic energy.

The Nobel laureate in physics Einstein had spoken out in favour of building the atomic bomb in a letter to President Roosevelt in August 1939. Post-war, Einstein became an outspoken advocate for nuclear disarmament and international cooperation. He was a key figure in the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists, which aimed to educate the public on the dangers of atomic weapons and to promote peaceful uses of atomic energy.

Harold Urey, a Nobel Prize-winning chemist known for his discovery of deuterium, also became actively involved in the movement against nuclear proliferation. In 1946, he worked alongside Einstein in the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists. Urey’s concerns about nuclear weapons were rooted in his deep understanding of their destructive power and his belief in the need for scientific responsibility and international oversight.

Einstein and Urey, along with other scientists, focused on public awareness and political advocacy. They emphasized the need for a new international framework to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and to ensure that atomic energy was used for peaceful purposes. Their efforts included writing articles, giving speeches, and meeting with political leaders to push for policies that would reduce the threat of nuclear war.

Their joint activities were part of a broader scientific and ethical movement during this period, aiming to balance the advancements in nuclear technology with a commitment to global security and ethical responsibility. The legacy of their collaboration contributed to ongoing discussions and efforts in the field of arms control and disarmament.

“One World or None” is a seminal book published in 1946 that played a significant role in raising awareness about the dangers of nuclear weapons and advocating for global cooperation to prevent nuclear war. The book was a collaborative effort by several leading scientists, including Albert Einstein and Harold Urey, who were deeply concerned about the implications of nuclear technology.
Background

After the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, the destructive power of nuclear weapons became starkly evident. Scientists who had contributed to the development of these weapons, including those from the Manhattan Project, felt a moral responsibility to address the potential threats posed by nuclear proliferation. This led to the formation of the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists, chaired by Albert Einstein, with Harold Urey as one of its prominent members.

The Book: “One World or None”

Purpose: The book aimed to educate the public and policymakers about the catastrophic consequences of nuclear war and to advocate for international control over nuclear weapons. The authors argued that only through global cooperation and understanding could the world avoid the horrors of nuclear conflict.

“One World or None” consists of essays by several distinguished scientists and thinkers who discuss various aspects of nuclear weapons, including their development, potential for destruction, and the need for international oversight. Contributors included Niels Bohr, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and Leo Szilard, among others.

The book was influential in shaping public opinion and policy debates about nuclear weapons in the early Cold War period. It highlighted the urgency of preventing nuclear war and laid the groundwork for subsequent arms control initiatives and international treaties.

The book emphasized that the threat of nuclear war could not be contained by national borders and that international cooperation was essential to ensure global security.
The authors called for measures to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and to work towards disarmament, arguing that a world with multiple nuclear-armed states would be exceedingly dangerous.
Raising public awareness about the realities of nuclear warfare was crucial. The book aimed to inform and mobilize public opinion to support policies that would reduce the risk of nuclear conflict.

“One World or None” remains an important historical document, reflecting the anxieties and aspirations of the early atomic age. It contributed to the broader movement for nuclear disarmament and influenced subsequent efforts, such as the establishment of the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission and the negotiation of treaties like the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The collaborative effort by Einstein, Urey, and their colleagues in creating “One World or None” underscores the profound impact that scientists can have on public policy and global security when they engage with ethical and societal issues beyond the confines of their laboratories.