The Decision to Drop the Bomb & the Aftermath
The Manhattan Project
Early in 1939, it was discovered that Germany had begun research of utilizing energy that could produce a bomb of unspeakable destruction. A Jewish scientist named Einstein wrote a letter to President Roosevelt that urged him to the development of an atomic research program as well. President Roosevelt agreed and decided to support research leading to the development of an atomic bomb. The project to produce this bomb was known as the Manhattan Project and involved the effort of over 100,000 Americans and was top secret. For almost three years it was worked on by
top scientists who played an important role in the production of it. Finally, in the summer of 1945, the bomb was ready to be tested. The testing was
successful and finally, after three years, the United States became the first ever to complete the
atomic bomb. A few years later, they also became the first and only country to
ever use it as well.
top scientists who played an important role in the production of it. Finally, in the summer of 1945, the bomb was ready to be tested. The testing was
successful and finally, after three years, the United States became the first ever to complete the
atomic bomb. A few years later, they also became the first and only country to
ever use it as well.
The Decision
The United States had been at war with Japan for about four years. With the Japanese not willing to give up
their fight, the United States needed a way to end the war. The idea of invading Japanese islands was at hand but President Truman was concerned that an invasion would cost thousands of American lives. Truman had other options as well; one of them being the use of the atomic bomb, a weapon that had never been used before and has not been used since. Although Truman would eventually be criticized by some for the use of the bomb, and some people would accuse the American government of being racist, he believed that the use of the bomb was the best decision at the time. He argued that his decision was purely military. After the bomb was dropped Truman stated that “We have used it against those who attacked without warning at Pearl Harbor, against those who have abandoned the
pretense of obeying international laws of
warfare”.
their fight, the United States needed a way to end the war. The idea of invading Japanese islands was at hand but President Truman was concerned that an invasion would cost thousands of American lives. Truman had other options as well; one of them being the use of the atomic bomb, a weapon that had never been used before and has not been used since. Although Truman would eventually be criticized by some for the use of the bomb, and some people would accuse the American government of being racist, he believed that the use of the bomb was the best decision at the time. He argued that his decision was purely military. After the bomb was dropped Truman stated that “We have used it against those who attacked without warning at Pearl Harbor, against those who have abandoned the
pretense of obeying international laws of
warfare”.
This video shows the events leading up to the decision to drop the bomb, including the Japanese refusal to surrender. It also shows video of the bomb actually being dropped and some of the after effects on the people of Japan.
The shape of the bomb is described as a "Mushroom cloud", this cloud rose 40,000 feet. The bombs yielded 18-21 kilotons of TNT.
On August 6, 1945, an American B-29 bomber dropped the first ever atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The center of the blast was about 100 million degrees and instantly vaporized anyone on the blast zone, as well as giving deadly burns to people farther away. With the drop of this atomic bomb, 80,000 Japanese’s were instantly killed. Deaths from this terrible blast did not just end there though. Over the next five years, many others died from the radiation that this atomic weapon had produced
This video shows the Aftermath of the bomb on the people of Japan. It shows not only the physical effects on country, but also the mental and emotional effects it had on the people. Such a traumatic event effected many people for years to come.
For more information on this topic, check out these other sites:
http://www.ushistory.org/us/51g.asp
http://gk12.rice.edu/trs/science/Atom/man.htm
http://www.trumanlibrary.org/whistlestop/study_collections/bomb/large/
http://atomicbombmuseum.org/4_ruins.shtml
For more information on this topic, check out these other sites:
http://www.ushistory.org/us/51g.asp
http://gk12.rice.edu/trs/science/Atom/man.htm
http://www.trumanlibrary.org/whistlestop/study_collections/bomb/large/
http://atomicbombmuseum.org/4_ruins.shtml
Think About it:
Do you think President Truman made the right decision in authorizing the use of the atomic bomb?
The bombing of Hiroshima killed many people and had a lasting
effect on the people who survived as well. Truman made the choice and all though
people questioned it, it had already been done. Although the government was
criticized, the fact of whether it the right choice or the wrong choice is a
matter of opinion.
effect on the people who survived as well. Truman made the choice and all though
people questioned it, it had already been done. Although the government was
criticized, the fact of whether it the right choice or the wrong choice is a
matter of opinion.