This week, to be successful you need to:
1. Understand WHY the United States decided to drop the nuclear bombs on Japan
2. Analyse, discuss and infer the 'micro' and 'macro' EFFECTS of the bombings for those involved in the war - this goes beyond just considering Japanese perspectives!
3. Decide how you feel about this (concept of empathy/evaluating emotional responses) and justify your decision via an argumentative paragraph.
What was the Atomic Bomb?
Scientists in America had been working on a new type of weapon for many years – the atomic bomb. In March 1945 they carried out the first successful test in the desert in Mexico. The effect was tremendous. Scientists had invented the most powerful weapon on earth, with the power for total destruction. The Americans only had two more of these bombs left, but each could destroy a city. The war in the Pacific.
The war in Europe ended in May 1945, but the war in the Pacific between America (and the allies) and Japan raged on. The USA believed that Japan would never surrender and Japan had 5,000 aircraft and 5 million soldiers prepared to fight to the death. What do you think the U.S President (president Truman) would have thought when he heard there were these two bombs ready to use? |
The Japan Campaign.
In mid 1945, Japan was losing the war in the Pacific. The United States had recaptured the Marinara Island and the Philippines, and Japan was running our of resources. American military planners had developed Operation Downfall, to which Truman had given his approval. Operation Downfall was the plan to invade Japan. As the American forces fought their way towards Japan, they encountered significant resistance. The campaign began with a series of minor air raids and bombing runs. These soon morphed into a full-scale strategic firebombing campaign in late 1944. The change to firebombs over traditional explosive ordinance devastated the Japanese and killed as many as half a million people. Despite such loss of life and the superior tactics by the United States, the Japanese military refused to surrender. American forces continued their push towards the four major islands of Japan. On the way they were forced to fight two major land battles, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. These displayed how fierce the Japanese military would fight to defend their homeland. Roughly 6800 American troops and 21000 Japanese troops were killed at Iwo Jima. The battle of Okinawa was the bloodiest in the entire Pacific theatre of war, with 62000 American casualties and 12000 killed. The Japanese suffered greatly, losing 95000 soldiers. Many of these committed suicide in the Bushido tradition rather than be captured by the allies. Estimates of the number of civilians killed vary, but some have it as high as 150000. Despite such heavy loss of life, Japan still refused to surrender. At the conclusion of the war in Europe the allies met at Potsdam and drafted the 'Potsdam declaration'. This was an ultimatum put to Japan that if they did not unconditionally surrender they would face "prompt and utter destruction." Japan utterly refused to surrender and thus President Truman authorized the use of the utmost force - nuclear weapons. He hoped that millions of lives on both sides would be spared by ending the war quickly. Reasons for dropping the bombs:
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The first bomb - 'Little Boy'
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The effects of the first bomb, 'Little Boy' on Hiroshima.
The second bomb - 'Fat Man'
Was it worth it?
The human cost of the bombs was terrible. The world had never witnessed a weapon like it and would never see it used in combat again. The effects of the bomb are still being felt.
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Sources activity - Remember! Your assessments are based on a discussion and interpretation of sources. This is WORTH COMPLETING!
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Consider the various perspectives on the use of the atomic bombs in Japan in 1945, and in a 250 word paragraph answer the following question:
Was the use of nuclear weapons by the United States against Japan justified?
Remember to use the TEEL structure!
Was the use of nuclear weapons by the United States against Japan justified?
Remember to use the TEEL structure!