1. Who was Professor Sir Joseph Rotblat? From minute 3:50-3:53
He was a physicist who worked on the Mahattan Project and later strived for nuclear disarmament.
2. When was he born? Minute 18:06
Sir Joseph Rotblat 1908-2005.
He was born in 1908.
3.When did he die? From minute 14:49-14:50
He passed away in 2005
4. Where did he come from? From minute 3:50-3:53
He was Polish.
5. What was his role in the Manhattan Project? From minute 3:50-3:59
He was a scientist on the project. The Manhattan Project was set up during World War II in response to Nazi Germany's nuclear research. Its initial aim was to win the race to build the first atomic bomb.
6. Why did he resign? From minute 3.50-4.49
When it became clear in 1944 that Nazi Germany had abandoned its nuclear bomb research the reason for working on the project became void. He could see no reason to continue developing such a destructive weapon.
7. How did the Pugwash movement begin? From minute 4:50-6:15
It has its beginnings in a publicized conference of eight of the most influential nuclear scientists held 9 July 1955. It was organized by philosopher Bertrand Russel. Scientists included Albert Einstein, Linus Pauling and Joseph Rotblat. The conference presented the Russell-Einstein Manifesto. The success and interest in this intial conference led to the start of the first Pugwash Conference on Science and World Affairs in 1957.
8. What are the main objectives of the Pugwash movement? From minutes: 00:06-1:15; 10:17-10:24; 12:40-12:48; 15:18-15:33; 17:44-18:06
To make nuclear weapons both illegal and immoral. To alert the world to the dangers of the spread of nuclear weapons and their potential use by terrorist groups. Scientists that played a role in creating nuclear weapons believed that they had a social responsibility to inform the public of the dangers of these devices. 00:06-1:15
The movement has two primary gooals. Firstly, the elimination of all nuclear weapons, and secondly, reducing conflict in places where they are present. 10:17-10:24
They will remind the scientific community to take social responsibility for their inventions, and make sure that their work is used for the benefit of humanity not for its destruction. 12:40-12:48
To impress upon the global community that nuclear weapons should be never used again 15:18-15:33
To "...live up to the twin values of science and social responsibility...". To fight for "...a more just and equitable world."17:44-18:06
9. What is "the corner stone" of the movement? (See the list of expressions below and paraphrase the quotation from the film) . From minute 3.24-3:35
"As long as nuclear weapons exist they will one day be used."Possible paraphrase: 'Provided that there is an atomic arsenal it will eventually be put to use. '
10. What is the Russell-Einstein Manifesto? From minute 4:50-5:31
It was a statement signed by originally 8 then 11 leading scientists designed to alert the world to the dangers posed by nuclear weapons.
11. Complete the following quote from the Russell-Einstein Manifesto: From minute 5:32
"Remember your humanity, and forget the rest. If you can do so, the way lies open to a new Paradise; if you cannot, there lies before you the risk of universal death."
12. How did the movement acquire the name 'Pugwash'?
The first conference was held in the town of Pugwash in Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia is province located on the east coast of Canada.
13. Pugwash movement has been instrumental in the limitation of nuclear weapons. Give two examples. From minute 6:19-6:59
The film gives six examples:
- "Helped establish..." the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
- "Laid the groundwork..." for the beginning of negotiations between North Vietnam and US 1967 .
- "Played a role..." in the anti-bilistic misile treaty known as SALT 1 in 1972. SALT stands for the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty.
- "Exerted influence ..." on official policy that led to INF Treaty in 1987
- "Helped lay the groundwork..." for the Chemical Weapons Convention in 1992.
- "Accomplished a great deal..." to make the whole global community aware of the menance of the atomic arsenal.
14 When did the Pugwash movement and Rotblat win the Nobel Peace Prize? From minute 8:16-8:30
They won the prize in 1995.
15. How did the people of Oslo show their appreciation for Rotblat? From minute
9:23-9:58
Before and after the ceremony wherever Rotblat went in Oslo, people spontaneously applauded him.
16. Why is the Pugwash movement concerned about global warming? From minute 11:41-12:21
Ecological collapse caused by global warming could lead to the collapse of civilization.
There is however an indirect but clear link between climate change and atomic weapons. Wars are more often than not fought over resources and territory; everything else is arguably a pretext. Global Warming will engender drought and flooding in different areas, and this will cause scarcities. Scarcities provoke competition and possible military conflict. Any such conflict is a concern as it may lead to the use of nuclear weapons.
17. How many nuclear weapons are there in the world today? From minute 7:00 - 8:15
In this film Rotblat says the arsenal has grown to 70,000
18. How many warheads are required? From minute 7:00 - 8:15
Rotblat says that the current number is 100 times more than is necessary for "any conceivable purpose". So, if we can say these weapons serve a purpose, then all that is necessary are 700 warheads; that is, 70,000 /100 = 700.
19. Why are nuclear weapons considered useless? From minute 10:29-11:26
According to Prof. Paolo Cotta-Ramusino nuclear weapons do not protect us against nuclear proliferation and they do not do not protect us from terrorism. Also according to Lt Gen.(ret.) Talat Masood, countries that possess nuclear weapons may behave rashly thinking that they will not be engaged militarily, but this may not be true.
20. How does Sally Milne describe Joseph Rotblat? Give at least three adjectives. From minute 16:27-17:43
One of a kind, Brilliant, Untiring, Vigorous, Funny, Persistent, Complex, Obstinate, Utterly truthful, Handsome, Modest, Simple, Humaine
21. Why did Joseph Rotblat become particularly concerned about education? From minute 12:49-13:36
Education was a means to prevent conflict. It was essential for young people most of all. Notably as those involved in extremism were the young and impressionable. He also believed that education was essential for all people including the public and politicians. Margaret Thatcher was "greened"( that is, understood the legitimacy of the threat of global warming) by talking to Royal Society scientists who had no political agenda.
22. When Rotblat was pushing past a group of lads in the Tottenham Court Road tube station in London, they called out "Hey what's the hurry? You're an old man"He replied, "Don't you see? It's because ___________________."
a) Complete Rotblat's reply.
"Don't you see? It's because I'm an old man I'm in a hurry."
b) His reply is witty, explain why it is funny.
An old man must hurry because he doesn't have much time to live and there are still many things he has to do before he dies.
c) What does his relpy reveal about how he regarded his work.
It reveals that Rotblat was working as hard as he could to complete his work of peace, and realised that it was an urgent task.
Expressions
23. The corner stone of the Pugwash movement is that, "As long as nuclear weapons exist they will one day be used." From minute 3.24-3:35
The cornerstone of a building is the first stone to be laid. This statement is on which the Pugwash movement is built.
24. Pugwash has no political ax to grind. Minute 13:20-13:46
An ax is a tool used to chop down a tree or to use as a weapon. To grind is to sharpen. Figuratively speaking if you have an ax to grind it means you bear someone a grudge and you want to take revenge on them. To have no political ax to grind is to say that you don't want to take any kind of political revenge.
25. Students will be the torchbearers of the Pugwash movement.Minute 14:18-14:43
Torchbearer is someone who leads a movement. Here Prof M.S.Swaminathan appears to be addressing a gathering of students who are members of the Student Pugwash movement. He says that they will replace the older members and become the leaders of the nuclear peril free world.
'Lads' means in this context teenage boys or young men.
27. Rotblat is a great role model for young people. Minute 14:13-14:43
A role model is someone whose behavior is copied by others. In the context of Prof M.S.Swaminathan address to a group of students of Student Pugwash, he says that Rotblat has set an example of how students of science and technology should behave in relation to balancing science and social responsibility.
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© All Copyright, 2007, Ray Genet
