(单词翻译:单击)
听力文本
Welcome to THE MAKING OF A NATION – American history in VOA Special English. I'm Steve Ember. World War Two ended with an action that was never taken before in the history of warfare, and has never been taken since. It required the efforts of a team of scientists. Working in secrecy, they designed and built the first atomic bombs. President Harry S. Truman made the decision to use these weapons against Japan in August of nineteen forty-five. "The world will note that the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. We shall continue to use it until we destroy Japan's power to make war." America's use of atomic weapons brought years of conflict in Europe and the Pacific to an end. But it also marked the beginning of the nuclear age. And it represented, in a dramatic way, the growing importance of science and technology in modern times.
Interest in science goes back to the earliest days of the nation. President Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin were famous not only as political leaders but also as inventors and scientists. President Abraham Lincoln and Congress established the National Academy of Sciences during the Civil War in the eighteen sixties. And in the early nineteen hundreds, the nation created scientific offices to study and improve agriculture, public health, even air travel. By the start of World War One in nineteen fourteen, the federal government was employing scientists in many areas of work. President Woodrow Wilson created the National Research Council to organize the work of scientists and engineers to win the war. However, before World War Two, government support for science was generally limited. The government was willing to pay for research only to meet certain clear goals, such as better weapons or military transport systems. World War Two greatly changed the traditionally limited relationship between American scientists and the federal government. In the early years of the war, the German forces of Adolf Hitler showed the world the strength of their new tanks, guns and other weapons.
President Franklin Roosevelt knew that the United States would need to develop modern weapons of its own if it entered the war. For this reason, Roosevelt established a National Defense Research Committee in nineteen forty to support and organize research on weapons. The new committee included some of the top scientists in America. Among its members were the presidents of Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Bell Laboratories. The committee did its work so well that Roosevelt later formed an even more powerful Office of Scientific Research and Development. The leader of both groups was Vannevar Bush -- no relation to the future presidents. He had long experience as a professor of electrical engineering and as an inventor. Many scientists knew him. Vannevar Bush put together a hard-working team. And in the years that followed, American scientists and engineers developed one invention after another to help the war effort. Scientists developed new devices to help the Navy find German submarines. They improved methods for bombers to find their targets. And they developed more powerful rockets to protect American troops when they landed on foreign beaches.
American scientists and doctors also made great progress in improving the methods of wartime medicine. World War Two may well have been the first war in history in which a wounded soldier was more likely to survive than to die. But, in many ways, the most important scientific development of the period was the atomic bomb. In nineteen thirty-nine, Albert Einstein wrote President Roosevelt a letter. The scientist told the president that it might soon be possible to build a powerful weapon -- a weapon that would use the power of the atom. And he urged Roosevelt to get American scientists to build the atomic bomb before German scientists could build one. Roosevelt agreed. He created a special team of scientists. Their work became known as the Manhattan Project. Roosevelt made sure that these scientists got all the money and supplies they needed. Roosevelt died before the scientists could complete their work. But in April nineteen forty-five, the scientists told the new president, Harry Truman, that they were almost ready to test their invention. Just three months later, they exploded the world's first atomic bomb in the desert in the southwestern state of New Mexico.
Truman had to make a difficult decision. He knew the atomic bomb would cause widespread death and suffering if it was used on a Japanese city. But he was willing to do anything to avoid the need for American troops to invade Japan. A "Little Boy" atom bomb. This was the kind of bomb used over Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945. In Japan, a new prime minister and government were searching for a way to end the war. But Truman believed that the Japanese were still not ready to surrender. And he felt it was his duty to end the war as soon as possible. On August sixth, nineteen forty-five, the first atomic bomb fell on the city of Hiroshima. Three days later, a second A-bomb fell on the city of Nagasaki. "Having found the atomic bomb, we have used it. We shall continue to use it until we completely destroy Japan's power to make war. Only a Japanese surrender will stop us." President Truman, "It is an awful responsibility which has come to us. We thank God that it has come to us, instead of to our enemy. And we pray that he may guide us to use it in his ways and for his purposes." The Radiation Effects Research Foundation in Japan estimates that between one hundred fifty thousand and two hundred forty-six thousand people died within two to four months of the bombings. The bombings left Japan's rulers with no choice. In less than one week, they surrendered.
"I received this afternoon a message from the Japanese government. I deem this reply a full acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration, which specifies the unconditional surrender of Japan. In the reply there is no qualification. Arrangements are now being made for the formal signing of the surrender terms at the earliest possible moment. General Douglas MacArthur has been appointed the Supreme Allied Commander to receive the Japanese surrender." In this newsreel, we hear General MacArthur accepting the surrender of the Japanese Empire. "The Battleship Missouri, fifty-three thousand ton flagship of Admiral Halsey's Third Fleet, becomes the scene of an unforgettable ceremony marking the complete and formal surrender of Japan. General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Allied Commander for the occupation of Japan, boards the Missouri. Fleet Admiral Nimitz, Pacific Fleet Commander, and Admiral Halsey welcome MacArthur and his Chief of Staff General Sutherland aboard. It is Sunday, September second, nineteen forty-five."
"We are gathered here, representatives of the major warring powers, to conclude a solemn agreement whereby peace may be restored. The issues involving divergent ideals and ideologies have been determined on the battlefields of the world and hence are not for our discussion or debate. The terms and conditions upon which surrender of the Japanese Imperial Forces is here to be given and accepted are contained in the instrument of surrender now before you. I now invite the representatives of the Emperor of Japan and the Japanese Government and the Japanese Impreial Headquarters to sign the instrument of surrender at the places indicated." American scientists and engineers proved that a war could be won with research as well as bullets. And all Americans learned how much could be gained when government agencies, scientists and universities worked together for common goals. Roosevelt had understood this long before the war ended. He asked Vannevar Bush to study how the federal government could work with scientists and universities in peacetime. Bush offered a number of ideas to President Truman at the end of the war. He told the president that science was important to America's progress and safety. He called on the federal government to support scientific study and education.
Professor Bush said that the nation's universities should be greatly strengthened. He called for the creation of a new government agency to provide money for science projects. Truman and Congress agreed with Vannevar Bush. And in the next few years, American research efforts expanded. In nineteen forty-six, the Office of Naval Research was created to support basic science study in universities. In the same year, the government created the Atomic Energy Commission. And in nineteen fifty, it created the National Science Foundation to provide support to thousands of the nation's best scientists. In the years that followed, American science would grow beyond the wildest dreams of Vannevar Bush and other scientists of his time. Universities would add thousands of new students along with new laboratories and research centers. By the middle of the nineteen sixties, the federal government would spend more than thirteen billion a year for research and development. And five hundred new centers of higher learning would be created. All this investment would help make the United States the world leader in such fields as computer science, genetics and space travel.
重点解析
1.continue to 持续到；不断
We hope to continue to have her close support and friendship.
我们希望她能继续大力支持，并能与她维持亲密友谊。
2.such as 比如；像这种的
Trees such as spruce, pine and oak have been planted.
种植了云杉、松树和橡树等树木。
3.in many ways 在许多方面；在很多方面
In many ways, our society actively promotes alcoholism.
我们的社会从多个方面助长了酗酒的风气。
4.make sure 确保；查明
I make sure I make time for fishing because it's how I de-stress.
我一定会腾出时间去钓鱼，因为这是我减压放松的方法。
参考译文
欢迎收听VOA慢速英语之建国史话节目，我是史蒂夫·恩伯。第二次世界大战以战争史上从未采取过的行动结束，此后也从未采取过这种方式，这需要一组科学家的努力。他们秘密地工作，设计并制造了第一颗原子弹。1945年8月，杜鲁门总统决定对日本使用这些武器。“全世界将注意到，第一颗原子弹投在广岛。我们将继续使用原子弹，直到摧毁日本发动战争的力量。”美国使用原子武器结束了欧洲和太平洋地区多年的冲突，但这也标志着核时代的开始，它戏剧性地代表了科学技术日益增长的重要性。
美国建国初期，就关注于科学方面。总统托马斯·杰斐逊和本杰明·富兰克林不仅是著名的政治领袖，也是著名的发明家和科学家。总统亚伯拉罕·林肯和国会在19世纪60年代内战期间，建立了国家科学院。在上世纪初，美国成立了科学办公室来研究和改善农业、公共卫生，甚至还有航空旅行。到1914年第一次世界大战开始时，联邦政府已经在许多领域雇用了科学家。总统伍德罗·威尔逊创建了国家研究委员会，组织科学家和工程师的工作，以赢得战争。然而，在第二次世界大战之前，政府对科学的支持力度通常是有限的。政府只愿意为达到某些明确目标而支付研究费用，例如更好的武器或军事运输系统。第二次世界大战极大地改变了美国科学家和联邦政府之间一直以来的有限关系。在战争初期，阿道夫·希特勒的德军向世界展示了他们新坦克、枪支和其他武器的力量。
总统富兰克林·罗斯福知道，如果美国参战，就需要开发自己的现代武器。为此，罗斯福在1940年成立了国防研究委员会，以支持和组织武器研究。新委员会包括一些美国顶尖的科学家，其成员有哈佛大学、麻省理工学院和贝尔实验室的校长和会长。委员会运作良好，罗斯福后来成立了一个更强大的科学研发办公室。这两个组织的领导人都是瓦内瓦尔·布什，与未来的总统没有任何关系，他拥有长期担任电气工程教授和发明家的经验，许多科学家都认识他。瓦内瓦尔·布什组建了一支工作努力的团队。在随后的几年里，美国科学家和工程师们开发出一项又一项的发明来协助战争。科学家开发出新型设备，帮助海军找到德国潜艇。他们改进了轰炸机寻找目标的方法，还开发了火力更强大的火箭，以保护美军在境外海滩登陆时的安全。
美国科学家和医生在改进战时医学方法方面，也取得了很大进展。第二次世界大战可能是第一场伤员生还的可能性大于死亡可能性的战争。但是，在许多方面，该时期最重要的科学发展是原子弹。1939年，阿尔伯特·爱因斯坦给总统罗斯福写了一封信。这位科学家告诉总统，很快就有可能制造出一种强大的武器——一种利用原子能的武器。他还敦促罗斯福在德国科学家制造原子弹之前，让美国科学家开始制造。罗斯福表示同意，他成立了特别的科学家小组，他们的工作被称为曼哈顿计划。罗斯福确保这些科学家获得他们所需要的所有资金和物资。罗斯福在科学家们完成他们的工作之前去世了。但是在1945年4月，科学家们告诉新总统哈里·杜鲁门，他们几乎准备好测试他们的发明了。仅三个月后，他们在新墨西哥州西南部的沙漠中引爆了世界上第一颗原子弹。
杜鲁门不得不做出一个艰难的决定。他知道，如果在日本城市引爆原子弹，会造成大量的死亡和伤痛。但为了避免美军入侵日本，他愿意做任何事情。“小男孩”原子弹，是1945年8月6日，在广岛上空使用的那种原子弹。在日本，新首相和新政府正在寻找结束战争的方法。但杜鲁门认为，日本人仍不准备投降。他觉得尽快结束战争是他的责任。1945年8月6日，第一颗原子弹落在了广岛市。三天后，第二枚原子弹落在长崎市。“研发出原子弹后，我们就把它派上用场。我们还将继续引爆原子弹，直到完全摧毁日本发动战争的力量。只有日本投降，才能阻止我们。”总统杜鲁门，“无比的责任落在我们肩头，但是感谢上帝，这一责任落在了我们身上，而不是敌方。我们祈祷，上帝能引导我们按照他的方式和目的加以使用。”日本辐射效应研究基金会估计，在原子弹爆炸后的2至4个月内，有15万至24万人死亡。爆炸事件使日本统治者别无选择，不到一周的时间，他们就投降了。
“今天下午，我收到了日本政府的消息。我认为，该答复是对《波茨坦宣言》的完全认可，《波茨坦宣言》中规定了日本的无条件投降。在答复中，没有限定条件。目前，正在安排尽早正式签署移交条款。道格拉斯·麦克阿瑟将军被任命为盟军最高指挥官，接受日本投降。”在这部新闻片中，我们听到麦克阿瑟将军接受了日本帝国的投降。“作为哈尔西海军上将第三舰队5.3万吨级旗舰的“密苏里”号战舰，成为举行纪念日本全面正式投降的难忘仪式的现场。同盟国军事占领日本最高指挥官道格拉斯·麦克阿瑟将军，登上密苏里号战舰。太平洋舰队司令尼米兹上将和哈尔西上将，欢迎麦克阿瑟及其参谋长萨瑟兰将军登舰。这一天是1945年9月2日，星期日。”
“我们聚集在此，作为主要交战国的代表，缔结一项庄严的协定，以便恢复和平。涉及不同理想和意识形态的问题已经在世界战场上确定，因此我们不需要在此讨论或辩论。日本帝国军队投降的条件，载于你们面前的投降书中。我现在请日本天皇、日本政府以及日本帝国总部的代表，在所指地点签署投降书。”美国科学家和工程师证明，可以用研究和子弹来赢得一场战争。所有美国人都知道，当政府机构、科学家和大学为共同目标而协同努力时，他们能获得多少。罗斯福早在战争结束前就明白了这一点，他请范内瓦尔·布什研究联邦政府如何在和平时期与科学家和大学合作。战争结束时，布什向总统杜鲁门提出了一些想法。他告诉总统，科学对美国的进步和安全很重要，呼吁联邦政府支持科学研究和教育。
布什教授说，应该大力加强美国的大学，呼吁建立新的政府机构为科学项目提供资金。杜鲁门和国会同意瓦内瓦尔·布什的观点。在接下来的几年里，美国的研究工作扩大。在1946年，成立了海军研究办公室，支持大学的基础性科研。同年，政府成立原子能委员会。1950年，成立国家科学基金会，为美国成千上万名顶尖科学家提供支持。在随后的几年里，美国的科学发展将超越范内瓦尔·布什和他那个时代的其他科学家最疯狂的梦想。大学将增加数千名新学生，以及新的实验室和研究中心。到20世纪60年代中期，联邦政府每年将花费超过130亿美元用于研发，将新建500个高等教育中心。所有这些投资将有助于使美国成为计算机科学、遗传学和太空旅行等领域的世界领先者。
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