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The Decision to Drop the Bomb [ushistory.org]

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The Decision to Drop the Bomb [ushistory.org]

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Winston Churchill, Harry Truman, and Josef Stalin meet at the Potsdam Conference. They discussed the post-war order and peace treaty issues.

America had the bomb. Now what?

When Harry Truman learned of the success of the Manhattan Project, he knew he was faced with a decision of unprecedented gravity. The capacity to end the war with Japan was in his hands, but it would involve unleashing the most terrible weapon ever known.

American soldiers and civilians were weary from four years of war, yet the Japanese military was refusing to give up their fight. American forces occupied Okinawa and Iwo Jima and were intensely fire bombing Japanese cities. But Japan had an army of 2 million strong stationed in the home islands guarding against invasion.

A "mushroom" cloud rises over the city of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, following the detonation of "Fat Man." The second atomic weapon used against Japan, this single bomb resulted in the deaths of 80,000 Japanese citizens.

For Truman, the choice whether or not to use the atomic bomb was the most difficult decision of his life.

First, an Allied demand for an immediate unconditional surrender was made to the leadership in Japan. Although the demand stated that refusal would result in total destruction, no mention of any new weapons of mass destruction was made. The Japanese military command rejected the request for unconditional surrender, but there were indications that a conditional surrender was possible.

Regardless, on August 6, 1945, a plane called the Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima. Instantly, 70,000 Japanese citizens were vaporized. In the months and years that followed, an additional 100,000 perished from burns and radiation sickness.

This map shows the range of the destruction caused by the atomic bomb dropped over Hiroshima. Exploding directly over a city of 320,000, the bomb vaporized over 70,000 people instantly and caused fires over two miles away.

Two days later, the Soviet Union declared war on Japan. On August 9, a second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, where 80,000 Japanese people perished.

On August 14, 1945, the Japanese surrendered.

Critics have charged that Truman's decision was a barbaric act that brought negative long-term consequences to the United States. A new age of nuclear terror led to a dangerous arms race.

Some military analysts insist that Japan was on its knees and the bombings were simply unnecessary. The American government was accused of racism on the grounds that such a device would never have been used against white civilians.

On August 6, the city of Hiroshima, Japan remembers those who lost their lives when the atomic bomb fell. Thousands attend the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony annually.

Other critics argued that American diplomats had ulterior motives. The Soviet Union had entered the war against Japan, and the atomic bomb could be read as a strong message for the Soviets to tread lightly. In this respect, Hiroshima and Nagasaki may have been the first shots of the Cold War as well as the final shots of World War II. Regardless, the United States remains the only nation in the world to have used a nuclear weapon on another nation.

Truman stated that his decision to drop the bomb was purely military. A Normandy-type amphibious landing would have cost an estimated million casualties. Truman believed that the bombs saved Japanese lives as well. Prolonging the war was not an option for the President. Over 3,500 Japanese kamikaze raids had already wrought great destruction and loss of American lives.

The President rejected a demonstration of the atomic bomb to the Japanese leadership. He knew there was no guarantee the Japanese would surrender if the test succeeded, and he felt that a failed demonstration would be worse than none at all. Even the scientific community failed to foresee the awful effects of radiation sickness. Truman saw little difference between atomic bombing Hiroshima and fire bombing Dresden or Tokyo.

The ethical debate over the decision to drop the atomic bomb will never be resolved. The bombs did, however, bring an end to the most destructive war in history. The Manhattan Project that produced it demonstrated the possibility of how a nation's resources could be mobilized.

Pandora's box was now open. The question that came flying out was, "How will the world use its nuclear capability?" It is a question still being addressed on a daily basis.

Conversation on the Existence of the Bomb
On July 24 I casually mentioned to Stalin that we had a new weapon of unusual destructive force. The Russian Premier showed no special interest. All he said was that he was glad to hear it and hoped we would make 'good use of it against the Japanese.' -President Harry Truman, Year of Decisions.

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The Decision to Drop the Bomb [ushistory.org]

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Winston Churchill, Harry Truman, and Josef Stalin meet at the Potsdam Conference. They discussed the post-war order and peace treaty issues. America had the bomb. Now what? When Harry Truman learned of the success of the Manhattan Project, he knew he was faced with a decision of unprecedented gravity.

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Atomic Bomb: Decision - Szilard Petition, July 17, 1945

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Atomic Bomb: Decision - Szilard Petition, July 17, 1945

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Atomic Bomb: Decision - Szilard Petition, July 17, 1945

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Leo Szilard's petition to President Truman, July 17, 1945, with signers' names

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Speech to the Association of Los Alamos Scientists | The Manhattan Project | Historical Documents | atomicarchive.com

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Speech to the Association of Los Alamos Scientists | The Manhattan Project | Historical Documents | atomicarchive.com

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Speech to the Association of Los Alamos Scientists | The Manhattan Project | Historical Documents | atomicarchive.com

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Memorandum by Ralph A. Bard, Undersecretary of the Navy, to Secretary of War Stimson - June 27, 1945. MEMORANDUM ON THE USE OF S-1 BOMB. Ever since I have been in touch with this program I have had a feeling that before the bomb is actually used against Japan that Japan should have some preliminary warning for say two or three days in advance of use.

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Microsoft Word - Structure of a General Expository Essay.doc

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Microsoft Word - Structure of a General Expository Essay.doc

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Bellwork- List the elements of an expository essay.

Today, we will complete the cold read assignment we began on Wednesday. If the assignment is not completed in class. it can be completed at home. The final due date is Thursday, February 24th.

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Read pages 98-112 and write five literary analysis paragraphs.                      *Pick a significant passage/quote. 

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Read pages 98-112 and write five literary analysis paragraphs.                      *Pick a significant passage/quote. 

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*Write a paragraph that sets up the quote (gives context in the book), states the quote, and explains that quote in terms of literary analysis.

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Bellwork:  In your own words, define stereotype. Then, explain how stereotypes lead to subjugation and or dehumanization of a group of people. Write at least one paragraph.

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How does word choice affect tone and meaning? - YouTube

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How does word choice affect tone and meaning? - YouTube

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How does word choice affect tone and meaning?

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Learn the difference between denotation and connotation, how connotations create the author's tone, and how both create meaning. Closely study a poem by Ernest Hemingway, "All armies are the same..." Hemingway's poem, written about his experiences in World War I, remains a devastating statement about war seen from the soldier's perspective.

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Take your time and do your best.

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Today, I will be at the district office. You will have two assignments. Both will count as a major grade. The first assignment is a cold read assignment and questions related to the reading material. The second assignment is a written essay that synthesizes the information you learned in the aforementioned reading. You will receive detailed instructions in class.

Have a Great Day!!

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This is the poem we analyzed in class today.

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Create a new document and edit with others at the same time -- from your computer, phone or tablet. Get stuff done with or without an internet connection. Use Docs to edit Word files. Free from Google.

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Independent Reading  Assignment                         Buy the book or check it out from the library. Reading Schedule will be on Padlet this Friday. 

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Independent Reading  Assignment                         Buy the book or check it out from the library. Reading Schedule will be on Padlet this Friday. 

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Turn in homework- Quote analysis on Night

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Turn in homework- Quote analysis on Night

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The most amazing, intriguing, amusing, and death-defying podcast ever made about a literary term....the hyperbole.

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February 13th

Bellwork:

At one point, someone says that they have more faith in Hitler than anyone else because he has kept his word every time. In what ways does it feel that only the evil, bad guys are the only one keeping their promises?

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Viktor Frankl: Why believe in others | TED Talk | TED.com

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Viktor Frankl: Why believe in others | TED Talk | TED.com

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Get a daily email featuring the latest talk, plus a quick mix of trending content.

By subscribing, you understand and agree that we will store, process and manage your personal information according to our Privacy Policy

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In this rare clip from 1972, legendary psychiatrist and Holocaust-survivor Viktor Frankl delivers a powerful message about the human search for meaning -- and the most important gift we can give others.

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Happy Valentines Day!

Bellwork Prompt Below

"You don't love someone for their looks, or their clothes or their fancy car, but because they sing a song only you can hear. -Oscar Wilde

Do you agree or disagree? Please explain.

Pillow Drawing will be in first block. Good luck!!

Congratulations Mary Margaret!