SetupStudies physics in EuropeBefore his teaching career, Oppenheimer studies theoretical physics in Europe.ActionTeaches in CaliforniaIn the 1930s, Oppenheimer teaches at Caltech and the University of California, Berkeley.SetupCommunist ties at BerkeleySome Berkeley academics are Communist Party members, but Oppenheimer does not join the party.SetupWorld War II beginsserious dangerWorld War II breaks out.CommunicationLawrence warns OppenheimerErnest Lawrence cautions Oppenheimer against maintaining communist connections.DecisionScales back connectionsAfter Lawrence's warning, Oppenheimer scales back his connections.CommunicationGroves recruits OppenheimerGeneral Leslie Groves approaches Oppenheimer to lead the Manhattan Project.PlanProposes Los Alamos labserious dangerOppenheimer proposes a new laboratory at Los Alamos where they can try to build an atomic bomb before the Nazis.ActionTeller joins Los AlamosEdward Teller is recruited to Los Alamos.SetupTeller raises ignition theoryserious dangerTeller theorizes that an explosion could ignite the global atmosphere.RevelationAtmospheric theory disprovedserious dangerTeller's theory that an explosion could ignite the atmosphere is disproved.DecisionTeller turns to fusionserious dangerTeller begins researching fusion-based weapons instead of working on the proposed fission bombs.ActionOppenheimer gains clearanceOppenheimer gains his security clearance in 1942.RelationshipRekindles Tatlock affairImmediately after gaining clearance, Oppenheimer rekindles his affair with his Communist ex-lover, Jean Tatlock.DeceptionLies to protect Chevalierserious dangerOppenheimer protects Haakon Chevalier from an espionage investigation by directly lying to security officer Boris Pash.ActionTrinity test succeedsserious dangerIn July 1945, the U.S. Army successfully conducts Trinity, the first detonation of a nuclear weapon.ActionBombs strike Japanserious dangerThe United States detonates atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, concluding World War II.CommunicationOppenheimer expresses remorseIn the immediate aftermath, Oppenheimer tells President Truman that he feels remorse for building the bomb.CommunicationTruman dismisses remorseTruman absolves Oppenheimer of responsibility but is annoyed by his remorse.SetupNamed father of the bombOppenheimer is labeled the father of the atomic bomb.TransformationOpposes nuclear proliferationserious dangerIn the postwar years, Oppenheimer's public stance shifts toward nuclear non-proliferation.CommunicationEinstein conversation revisitedmemory · serious dangerIn their 1947 conversation, Oppenheimer tells Einstein that the global catastrophe they feared and believed averted is now inevitable; a flashback at the 1963 award reveals that Oppenheimer never mentioned Strauss.ActionSoviet Union tests plutonium bombserious dangerIn 1949, the Soviet Union successfully tests a plutonium bomb similar to one developed at Los Alamos.ConflictOppenheimer favors arms talksserious dangerAt a meeting of top advisors, Oppenheimer favors arms talks with Russia over escalating with Teller's proposed thermonuclear weapons.ConflictStrauss grows frustratedOppenheimer's position frustrates AEC chairman Strauss, who is irritated at being constantly undermined by him.CommunicationPast security lapses resurfaceserious dangerDuring a heated discussion, Oppenheimer's past security lapses are brought up, including his affair with Tatlock and his lie to Pash.PlanStrauss conspires with Bordenserious dangerIn 1954, irritated at Oppenheimer's repeated opposition, Strauss conspires with Borden to initiate a security clearance hearing.DecisionStrauss appoints Robbserious dangerStrauss appoints Roger Robb as counsel for Oppenheimer's hearing.CommunicationRobb repeats disloyalty accusationsserious dangerAs counsel, Robb replays accusations that Oppenheimer is disloyal to the United States.CommunicationGroves testifies for Oppenheimerserious dangerGroves testifies in favor of Oppenheimer at the security hearing.CommunicationRabi testifies for Oppenheimerserious dangerIsidor Rabi testifies in favor of Oppenheimer.CommunicationKitty testifies for her husbandserious dangerKitty Oppenheimer testifies in favor of her husband.CommunicationTeller testifies against Oppenheimerserious dangerTeller testifies against Oppenheimer at the hearing.CommunicationBorden testifies against Oppenheimerserious dangerWilliam Borden testifies against Oppenheimer at the hearing.LossQ clearance is revokedserious dangerThe three judges revoke Oppenheimer's Q clearance by a two-to-one decision, ending his government advisory role.SetupStrauss nominated for CommerceIn 1959, Strauss is nominated as U.S. Secretary of Commerce, and the Senate is expected to confirm him by tradition.CommunicationSenate questions StraussAt his confirmation hearing, Strauss is questioned about his actions concerning Oppenheimer's security hearing.CommunicationStrauss cites FBI suspicionsStrauss alleges that the FBI was suspicious of Oppenheimer since his teaching days, well before Borden accused him of espionage in 1954.CommunicationStrauss denies acting against himStrauss claims he did not act against Oppenheimer through the security hearing, despite their many public disagreements.CommunicationStrauss blames OppenheimerStrauss alleges that Oppenheimer turned scientists against him, beginning with Einstein at Princeton in 1947.CommunicationTeller testifies for StraussTeller testifies in favor of Strauss at the Senate hearing.SetupHill expected to testifyPhysicist David L. Hill is expected to follow Teller in support of Strauss.CommunicationHill exposes Strauss's vendettaInstead, Hill exposes Strauss's personal vendetta and says the scientific community is against him.ResolutionSenate rejects StraussThe Senate rejects Strauss's nomination.AftermathOppenheimer receives Fermi AwardIn 1963, Oppenheimer receives the Enrico Fermi Award.