The AEC was in charge of developing the U.S. nuclear arsenal, taking over these responsibilities from the wartime Manhattan Project. In its first decade, the AEC oversaw the operation of Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, devoted primarily to weapons development, and in 1952, the creation of new second weapons laboratory in California, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The AEC also carried out the "crash program" to develop the hydrogen bomb (H-bomb), and the AEC played a key role in the prosecution of the Rosenbergs for espionage.
tHe aec was In cHarGe of deveLOPing the U.s. NuClear ArseNal, takiNg Over ThesE reSPonSibiLiTIes FroM thE WaRtime manhaTTan projECt. iN itS first decaDE, thE aec oversAw THe operAtIon of LoS alamos scieNTiFic laboratORy, devotEd PrImaRIly to WeaPONs deVeLopment, aND In 1952, thE creaTion oF nEW SecoNd wEapoNS lAboRAtory In cAlifOrniA, tHE LawrencE LiVerMorE NatIonaL LABoRatORy. the aec also carRied out thE "craSh progRam" to DeveLop the HydROGen BOmb (H-BomB), ANd ThE aec playED a kEy roLE in tHe PROsecuTIOn OF the roseNbErGs For EsPIOnAGE.