History ETDs

Publication Date

5-1974

Abstract

A study of the history of Los Alamos casts light upon effects of isolation, hostile environment, and inexperience upon idealistic, paternalistic community development and provides insight into what factors support community. An administrative history of this federally sponsored scientific community based on a critical examination of Manhattan District and Atomic Energy Commission records and an historical analysis of experiences of earlier Indian, Spanish and Anglo-American settlers in the area verifies Walter Prescott Webb' s theory that successful settlement in a hostile environment requires advanced technology and government subsidy. The spectacular setting of Los Alamos and its fortress-like fastness have attracted people seeking harmony with nature and a defensive position. Climatic changes forced Indian settlers off the plateau and limited Spanish settlement to summer months. With advanced technology Anglo settlers were able to overcome these difficulties but not limited funds in a time of crisis. Federal subsidy and advanced technology have made modern Los Alamos a permanent community.

An analysis of political structure and community management patterns of Los Alamos reinforces Robert L. Heilbroner’s identification of popular political aspiration plus technology and socialism as the basic historical forces today. Problems of communication between scientists and the military in fulfilling this aspiration reinforces C. P. Snow’s concept of two cultures based on differing time orientations, value systems, and language use. While scientists and their families reluctantly obeyed military restrictions as necessary to the war effort, with peace they wanted normal civil rights. Unfortunately conflicting federal and state jurisdictions left residents in political limbo until national and state legislation rectified the situation. Although creation of Los Alamos County coterminous with project boundaries met citizen needs, special legislation requests accentuated its abnormality.

The postwar community evolved pragmatically as scientists and bureaucrats responded to political realities by modifying idealistic plans based on inexperience or national professional criteria. The United States Congress, while willing to pay for atomic research in the interest of national security, was reluctant to pay a private contractor management fee for community operation. The Atomic Energy Commission resolved the problem by transferring schools, hospital and library functions to non-profit contractors with citizen boards of directors, selling its real estate proprietary interest to private purchasers, and transferring municipal facilities to Los Alamos County with a subsidy contract. Thus eliminating Congressional opposition and providing citizen participation, the federal government is still able to exercise paternalistic fiscal control.

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Degree Name

History

Department Name

History

First Committee Member (Chair)

Gerald David Nash

Second Committee Member

Donald Colgett Cutter

Third Committee Member

William Miner Dabney

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

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