First Lightning: The Soviet Atomic Bomb Project

Since the discovery nuclear fission in the 1930s, generals have pondered the possibilities of one day harnessing its great power—and scientists have wept. As the glorious fight for communism continues to battle the German invasion, western scientific journals suddenly fall silent on the topic of nuclear fission and espionage channels buzz with rumours of British, American, and German atomic bomb projects. The Soviet Union cannot afford not to join this race, despite the massive risks associated with this mysterious technology. On February 11, 1943, Stalin’s Academy of Sciences of the USSR established the soviet atomic bomb project under the codename ‘Laboratory No. 2’.

Now, the scientific, military, and diplomatic advisors serving on this highly confidential project must utilize their vast resources in the fields of research, espionage, and manufacture to race the British, the Americans, and the Germans to this ultimate weapon. Success in this project would be the start of a significant paradigm shift, granting the builder of the bomb the power to radically change the course of the world war, and subsequently history. Great challenges lie in the way of our progress. But, alcoholism aside, great challenges are no match for great men.

 

Background Guide

 

 

Chair - Komal Kawatra

Born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand, Komal Kawatra is a third year in the college studying Economics and Physics. After crisis directing The Great Indian Empire: Mughals Through The Ages at ChoMUN XVII, she has decided to set aside the time travel in order to explore another theme drawn from science fiction - the atomic bomb. Though she has effectively sold her soul to ChoMUN, in her free time she can be found getting far too emotionally attached to TV shows, 'dropping the beat' as a DJ at occasional parties, and indulging her tendency to stress-bake.

kkawatra@uchicago.edu

 

Crisis Director - Alex Barg

Everyone's favorite CD has returned to the ChoMUN circuit once again. New and improved, Alex Barg is now a third year Economics major at the University of Chicago, whose interests include golf, patriotism and a bimonthly trip to the gym. Alex decided to return again, beacuse - &%$* it, why not. See you all in April.