History: The Decision to Drop the Atomic Bomb

Use the links below to answer the following questions:

Read this article:

http://www.ushistory.org/us/51g.asp

1. What was the current situation with Allied Troops and Japanese defenses in 1945?

2. What are the casualty rates given in this article for Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

3. What are three reasons that critics have given for the decision to use atomic weapons on Japan?

4. What was Truman's stated reason?

Next, read this declassified U.S. document:

http://www.dannen.com/decision/targets.html

Under section 6, the meeting notes discuss possible target selection.

5. What criteria were used to evaluate which cities would make the best targets?

Read the eyewitness account of the bombing from Dr. Michihiko Hachiya:

http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/hiroshima.htm

6. What details do you find the most memorable from Dr. Hachiya's description?

Look at the panorama of post-bombing Hiroshima:

http://www.360cities.net/image/hiroshima-after-atomic-bomb-nuclear-3#200.26,2.60,8.9

7. What details do you notice as you look at the city after the attack? What, if anything, do you find surprising?

8. What kinds of structures are still standing?

9. What evidence of human activity do you see?

Read a transcript of President Truman's radio announcement that Japan was bombed.

http://www.dannen.com/decision/hst-ag09.html

10. Looking back, do you think that Truman made the right decision to use atomic weapons? Why or why not? Use details from these sources to defend your statement.


You can find more information and pictures about these events (some graphic; view with care) at the following links:

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/atomic_bomb.htm
http://www.dannen.com/decision/index.html
http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/g_l/levine/bombing.htm
http://www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/kids/KPSH_E/hiroshima_e/sadako_e/subcontents_e/08higai_1_e.html