Governmental impact on science during World War II

Governmental impact on science during World War II shows how public administration worked towards technological development that ended up providing many advantages to the armed forces, economies, and societies during their wartime strategies.

Pre-war scientific research

During times of conflict, political leaders may influence scientists by emphasizing the importance of certain research initiatives. For instance, when discussing the development of weapons for national defense, the use of urgent language can create pressure on scientists, leading to stress and a sense of urgency. As a result, competition to succeed and deliver results quickly may arise. However, such pressures can have adverse effects on the well-being of scientists and may be seen as a manipulative tactic employed by governments.

Political-scientific relationship

In times of war, the relationship between governments and scientific communities can become more complex. The scientific communities may become increasingly dependent on government funding, and individual intrigues within bureaucratic structures can influence research priorities. Additionally, the wartime environment may lead to the restriction of personal and scientific freedoms, as well as the virtual nationalization of industrial research and development efforts for war-related purposes. Scientists may find themselves fully engaged in supporting the war effort, leaving little time for their own research and personal lives.

Financing wartime science

Government funding plays a significant role in influencing scientific research during wartime. Nations often use funding as a strategic tool to expand research and development efforts. Financial support allows for the acquisition of advanced equipment and the recruitment of highly qualified researchers, leading to more productive outcomes. In historical contexts, such as the Four Year Plan for rearmament in Germany after the Treaty of Versailles, significant amounts of money and resources were invested in science-based technologies for modernizing the military. Likewise, funding supported research in aerodynamics, enabling the construction of wind tunnels and the design of advanced aircraft, missiles, and torpedoes. However, it is essential to recognize that government funding can also shape scientific priorities and may be viewed as advantageous for the military and overall war effort.

Manhattan Project

A few months after he was put in charge of fast neutron research, Berkeley physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer convened a conference on the topic of nuclear weapon design.

The most often cited example of government impact on science is the development of the atomic bomb under the auspices of the Office of Scientific Research and Development that proved the United States the option to not conduct the assault on Japan, and end the war earlier. The result of scientific skills deficiency, decisions of political leaders had no other choice but to seek the assistance of their countries most knowledgeable, scientists. Though nations from all over the globe have their own range of scientists, physicists and chemists were the primary source for help during World War II. These men were the individuals primarily responsible for the development of innovative technology, such as the atomic bomb, during the war. Without these developments, the war would have been stuck in first gear, devoid of continuity.

The quest for the atomic bomb was steadily growing stronger due to the new scientific developments coming about. In 1922, just four years after World War I, a man by the name of Francis William Aston made an intriguing statement. Aston, a Nobel Laureate in chemistry, claimed that should atomic energy ever be released in practical form, “the human race will have at its command powers beyond the dreams of science fiction.” This stimulated the minds of many political leaders. It seemed as though power would substantially increase as a result of the creation and possession of this so-called ‘weapon of mass-destruction’. Thus the race to build an atomic bomb quickly commenced. Many scientists from all over the world were working day and night to develop something that could only be described as the answer to ending the war.

Sources

• Walter E. Grunden, Mark Walker, and Masakatsu Yamazaki, “Wartime Nuclear Weapons Research in Germany and Japan,” in Politics and Science in Wartime, ed. Carola Sachse and Mark Walker (Washington D.C: Georgetown University, 2005
• Guy Hartcup, The Effect of Science on the Second World War (New York, New York: St. Martin’s Press Inc., 2000