What was the main purpose of the Manhattan Project?

The main purpose of the Manhattan Project was to develop nuclear weapons during World War II. This secret project, which began in 1942, aimed to harness the energy released through nuclear fission to create powerful bombs that could be used against enemy nations. The urgency of the project was largely driven by fears that Nazi Germany was attempting to develop its own atomic bombs. As a result, a team of some of the best scientists, including figures like J. Robert Oppenheimer, was assembled to conduct extensive research and experimentation that ultimately led to the creation of the first atomic bombs. The project culminated in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, which played a significant role in the conclusion of the war.

The other options do not accurately reflect the primary objectives of the Manhattan Project. While nuclear energy did emerge from the research conducted during the project, energy creation was not its main focus. Enhancing national security through diplomacy or promoting chemical research also strayed far from the specific goal of developing nuclear weapons, which fundamentally altered the landscape of warfare and international relations in the 20th century.