Post on 30-May-2018
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
1/69
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
2/69
EssentialEssential
QuestionQuestionWhat were Harry
Trumans motivations for
using the Atomic
Bomb against Japan in World War II?
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
3/69
Nuclear Programs:Nuclear Programs:
GermanyGermanyGermany started experimenting withGermany started experimenting withNuclear Fission in 1938.Nuclear Fission in 1938.
German scientist Otto Hahn andGerman scientist Otto Hahn andFritz Strassman bombarded UraniumFritz Strassman bombarded Uraniumwith neutrons and discovered Bariumwith neutrons and discovered Barium
atoms.atoms.
Conclusion: Nuclear fission releasesConclusion: Nuclear fission releasesa massive amount of energya massive amount of energy
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
4/69
GermanGermanexperimentalexperimental
nuclear pile atnuclear pile atHaigerlochHaigerloch
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
5/69
Project AlsosProject AlsosU.S. investigation in 1945 determinedthat the Germans have not created asustained nuclear chain reaction.
By creating a chain reaction, theGermans could create a nuclear reactorfor nuclear power or absolutedestruction.
It is debated whether German scientistssabotaged their success of their nuclearprogram purposefully or whether theirestimates were simply inaccurate andinadequate.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
6/69
No Bomb for theNo Bomb for the
GermansGermansJune 1942 German atomic programslows down because Germany feltvictory in WWII was imminent.
U.S. and Britain were not aware thatthe Germans decided not to build abomb.
Japan also had an atomic program butwas not successful.
If Germany and Japan had created anatomic bomb, it would be used againstthe Allies.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
7/69
Failure of the GermanFailure of the German
Nuclear ProgramNuclear ProgramWhen Adolf Hitler was in power, Hitlerencouraged many top scientists to leave
Europe.
Heavy water was not easily accessible.
No known factories for the production ofnuclear missiles.
Paris Treaties of 1955
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
8/69
Japanese AtomicJapanese Atomic
ProgramProgramThe Japanese atomic program was runby Empire of Japan in order to developa genshi bakudan or atomic bomb.
This project started around the sametime as the Manhattan Project.
Japan did not complete their atomicbomb by World War II.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
9/69
Hideki YukawaHideki Yukawa Hideki Yukawa was aJapanese theoreticalphysicist who was thefirst Japanese man towin the Nobel PeacePrize.
In 1935 Yukawapublished his theory ofmesons, which explainedthe interaction between
protons and neutrons.His writing quicklybecame a majorinfluence on research inelementary particles.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
10/69
Einsteins LetterEinsteins Letter In the course of the last four months it has been made probable -
through the work of Joliot in France as well as Fermi and Szilard in America -that it may become possible to set up a nuclear chain reaction in a large mass of uranium, by which vast amounts of power and large quantities of new radium-like elements would be generated. Now it appears almost certain that this could be achieved in the immediate future.This new phenomenon would also lead to the construction of bombs, and it is conceivable - though much less certain - that extremely powerful bombs of a
new type may thus be constructed. A single bomb of this type, carried by boat and exploded in a port, might very well destroy the whole port together with some of the surrounding territory. However, such bombs might very well
prove to be too heavy for transportation by air...Yours very truly,
(Albert Einstein)
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
11/69
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
12/69
The ManhattanThe Manhattan
ProjectProjectJune 1942, atomic-bomb project wascontrolled by War Department's Army Corpsof Engineers.
American and European physicists discoveredthat the fission of uranium could a powerfulweapon.Major General Leslie Groves named head ofthe project.At the height of construction in mid 1944,the Project employed nearly 129,000 people.No other nation in the world had the massiveindustrial capacity to make this possible .
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
13/69
The ManhattanThe Manhattan
Project Cont.Project Cont.To disguise this ultra-secret project,the Corps created a ManhattanEngineer District, with a headquartersinitially based in New York City.
Most work done at Los Alamos, NewMexico
Gadget (Trinity) on July 16, 1945
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
14/69
Robert J.Robert J.
OppenheimerOppenheimerWhen you see something that is technically sweet, you go ahead and do it and you argue about what to do about it only after you have had your technical success. That is the way it was with the atomic bomb.
The atomic bomb made the
prospect of future war unendurable. It has led us up those last few steps to the mountain pass; and beyond there is a different country.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
15/69
Robert J.Robert J.Oppenheimer cont.Oppenheimer cont.
Late in 1942, Gen. Groves chose physicist J.Robert Oppenheimer to head a new laboratorydevoted to the designing atomic bombs.
Oppenheimer recommended a remote site inNew Mexico for the new facility, where manyfamous scientists could work together incomplete secrecy.
From a wealthy N.Y. Jewish family.
Ties with Communism.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
16/69
Letter to HarryTrumanApril 24, 1945
Dear Mr. President,
I think it is very important that I should have a talk with you as soon as possible on a highly secret matter.
I mentioned it to you shortly after you took office but have not urged it since on account of the pressure you have been under. It, however, has such a bearing on our
present foreign relations and has such an important effect upon all my thinking in this field that I think you ought to know about it without much further delay.
Faithfully yours,Henry Stimson Secretary of War
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
17/69
Los Alamos National
LaboratoryLos Alamos National Laboratory is one ofthe two laboratories in the United Stateswhere classified work towards the designof nuclear weapons have been undertaken.The other location is Lawrence LivermoreNational Laboratory.
During the Manhattan Project, Los Alamoswas home to thousands of employees.
The first nuclear test was located nearAlamogordo, New Mexico, under code nameTrinity on July 16, 1945.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
18/69
The ManhattanThe Manhattan
Project SuccessProject SuccessTwo atomic bombs were made,Little Boy and Fat Man.
Scientists at Los Alamos were notfully confident in the Fat Manbomb.
Bombs designed to create anaccurate and symmetricalimplosion.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
19/69
TrinityTrinity
July 16, 1945July 16, 1945
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
20/69
Fission BombFission Bomb
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
21/69
Fat Man andFat Man and
Little BoyLittle BoyFat
Man
LittleBoy
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
22/69
New Weapons inNew Weapons in
World War IIWorld War IIDuring the last stages of the war,two new weapons were introduced:
the long-range rocket and the atomicbomb.
Throughout the war, most weapons
were an improved version of theweapons used in World War I.
Atomic bomb = absolute destruction.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
23/69
Russian Influences onRussian Influences onDevelopment of theDevelopment of the
Atomic BombAtomic Bomb
The US carefully considered Russia inthe development of the Atomic Bomb.
General Groves viewed the Soviet Unionas one of Americas worst enemies.
Trumans advisors convinced him that ifthe Atom bomb was used, it would keepthe USs enemy Russia at bay.
Postwar use of the bomb as a bargainingchip for territory was highly valued.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
24/69
A Chance forA Chance for
peace?peace?One week before Roosevelt's death,
Japanese Prime Minister KuniakiKoiso and his cabinet resigns.
Second resignation of Prime Ministerin two years.
Japan believed unconditionalsurrender was not tolerable.
Kantaro Suzuki was named new PrimeMinister.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
25/69
Battle of OkinawaBattle of OkinawaKnown as Typhoon ofSteelLargest amphibiousassault in Pacific of theWar.Operation Downfall invasion of main islandsin Japan48,000 Americans died.150,000 Japanesecivilians died.Japanese propagandaviewed Americans asbarbarians. This gave the Japanese themindset of never surrendering to an American.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
26/69
Uses for the BombUses for the Bomb
Against Germany or Japan
General Groves believed it could end WorldWar II.
$2 billion used to build the bomb. Not usingit would be a waste.
'If this weapon fizzles, each of you can look forward to a lifetime of testifying before congressional investigating committees." Gen. Groves to his staff,December 24, 1944
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
27/69
Debate over theDebate over the
Bomb:Bomb:American SupportAmerican SupportAmericans were suffering manycasualties and the Japanese wereshowing no signs of possiblenegotiation.
A cease fire was non-negotiable.
If the United States dropped theatomic bomb, surrender and peace
would probably occur.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
28/69
Potsdam DeclarationPotsdam Declaration
July 26, 1945July 26, 1945Key Points: 1. We-the President of the United States, the
President of the National Government of the
Republic of China, and the Prime Minister of Great Britain, representing the hundreds of millions of our countrymen, have conferred and agree that Japan shall be given an opportunity to end this war.
13. We call upon the government of Japan to proclaim now the unconditional surrender of all Japanese armed forces, and to provide proper and adequate assurances of their good faith in such action. The alternative for Japan is
prompt and utter destruction.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
29/69
PotsdamPotsdamDeclaration Cont.Declaration Cont.
1. Japan would be occupied until the declaration wassigned.
2. The Japanese army wouldbe allowed to return home.
3. Once the declaration was
met, allied troops would bewithdrawn.4. Japan shall be permitted
to maintain such industriesas will sustain her economyand permit the exaction of just reparations in kind, butnot those which would enable her to re-arm for war.To this end, access to, as distinguished from controlof, raw materials shall be permitted. Eventual Japaneseparticipation in world trade relations shall be permitted.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
30/69
Japans Response to theJapans Response to thePotsdam DeclarationPotsdam DeclarationJapans response was ambiguous.Before Japan could agree to any surrender, thetop military officials had to figure out a way tosatisfy many different groups inside Japan.Japanese official Suzuki used the wordmokusatsu which had a few different Englishtranslations.The US and the US newspapers interpreted theword to mean reject when in fact it could havemeant something different.The apparent rejection of the Declarationdefinitely sped up the process of using theatomic bombs.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
31/69
UnconditionalUnconditional
SurrenderSurrenderEstablished at the CasablancaConference early 1943.
Popular because war aims were clear.
Gained Soviet and American support.
Prevents country from resurging topower (Germany).
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
32/69
Japanese View ofJapanese View ofUnconditionalUnconditional
SurrenderSurrenderEmperor Hirohito was
totally againstunconditional surrender.Americans viewedHirohito as a symbol ofmilitary aggressionUnconditional surrender
destruction ofdivine monarchy.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
33/69
Emperor HirohitoEmperor HirohitoThe atomic bomb convinced the Emperorto break the deadlock of Japansgenerals and accept the PotsdamDeclaration
He gave three reasons, "a collapse ofdomestic morale and two militaryconcerns: inadequate preparation toresist the invasion and the vastdestructiveness of the atomic bomb and
the air attacks (Frank, 345).The atomic bomb was given as the mainreason for the surrender of Japan
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
34/69
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
35/69
Roosevelts InfluencesRoosevelts Influenceson Trumanon Truman
Even though Truman and Roosevelt didnot get along, Roosevelts legacyremained in power.
Roosevelts former advisors found iteasy to mold the new president Trumansforeign policy and his feelings towardthe Soviet Union.
Kissinger said, Soviet policies were explained to Truman in inherent bad faith model.
These heavy influences made thedecision to drop the atom bomb very
optimal.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
36/69
Trumans MotivationsTrumans Motivations
It cost the US $20 billion (intodays dollars) to build the atomicbomb.
It cost the US $20 billion (intodays dollars) to build the atomicbomb.
The use of the atomic bombs inending World War 2 preventedendless investigations of theTruman administration.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
37/69
Trumans MotivationsTrumans MotivationsCont.Cont.
Many historians believe that a mainreason for the use of the bomb wasretaliation for the surprise and brutalattack on Pearl Harbor.
After the bomb was dropped onHiroshima, Truman said This is the greatest thing in history. and Nobody is more disturbed over the use of atomic bombs than I am but I was greatly
disturbed over the unwarranted attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor and their murder of our prisoners of war.
Thousands of POWS were mistreated
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
38/69
Saving Lives bySaving Lives by
Using the BombUsing the BombNon-combatants were dying throughoutAsia at the rate of 200,000 permonth.
The complete naval blockade of Japanwould have resulted in hundreds ofthousands of deaths due tomalnutrition, dehydration, and famine.
The atomic bomb saved thousands ofAmerican soldiers lives
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
39/69
Invading Japan?Invading Japan?If America did invade Japan, manyAmericans would have died.
Secretary of
State JamesByrnes claimed500,000.
Total combat
deaths afterfour years ofwar 292,000.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
40/69
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
41/69
The Beginning of theThe Beginning of the
End of Imperial JapanEnd of Imperial Japan By 1945, a Japanese victory would not bepossible.
Use of kamikaze (divine wind) attacks damaged about50 U.S. ships and sunk 17 during January 4 13 1945.
Many Japanese soldiers jumped off cliffs instead ofsurrendering to U.S. soldiers.
1945, U.S. Marines capture the island of Iwo Jima.About 6,800 U.S. causalities.
The next attack was scheduled for Kyushu in November1945.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
42/69
Japanese SupportJapanese SupportSome Japanese historians supportedthe dropping of the atomic bombs.
Salvation in the atomic bombing.
Koichi Kido We of the peaceparty were assisted by the atomicbomb in our endeavor to end thewar.
Hisatsune Sakomizu Goldenopportunity given by heaven to endthe war.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
43/69
Japan and theJapan and the
Soviet UnionSoviet UnionThere was a slight chance that
peace could come through Moscow.
Japan desperately sought help fromStalin to fight defeat.
Japan wanted a conditionalsurrender with Allies.
d h
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
44/69
U.S. and theU.S. and theSoviet UnionSoviet Union
Soviet Union played alarge role in the useof the atomic bomb.Growing tensions betweenU.S. and Soviet Union -puppet governments inEastern Europe.Stalin started a Sovietatomic bomb project in1942.Soviets helped defeatGermany, but Stalin wasnot popular with the Allies.
h
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
45/69
The Soviet UnionThe Soviet Unionin the Pacificin the Pacific
WarWarAs Germany weakened near defeat,U.S. wanted the Soviet Union to enterthe Pacific War.
Yalta Conference Feb. 1945, Stalinpromises to enter Pacific War 2-3months after Germany surrenders.
U.S. leaders start to have secondthoughts on the Soviet Unions entrance
into the Pacific War.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
46/69
Magic & UltraMagic & UltraMagic U.S. discovers Japan wantsSoviet help.
Unconditional surrender was notpossible.
Ultra Japan willing to fight until
the end.
Further limited hope of negotiationwith the Japanese.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
47/69
Interim CommitteeInterim CommitteeThe Interim Committee on post-waratomic policy discussed dropping the bombon Japan without any formal warning.
May 31, 1945 meeting was held withStimson (Sec. of War), James Byrnes(Sec. of state), and scientific advisersheld by Dr. Robert Oppenheimer.
Committee decided not to formally warn
Japan for the Hiroshima dropping.U.S. needed to shock Japanese tosurrender, so a warning was out ofquestion.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
48/69
Opposition to theOpposition to theInterim CommitteeInterim CommitteeLeo Szilard and other ManhattanProject scientists believed Japanshould be warned.Without a formal warning would beimmoral in the eyes of the world.
Also, scientists believed U.S. should
tell Soviets before using the war postwar arms race.
Chicago group petitioned toPresident Truman.
bl
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
49/69
Possible TargetPossible TargetLocationsLocations
The target committee at Los Alamos fromMay 10 11, 1945, recommended Kyoto,Hiroshima, Yokohama, and arsenal at Kokuraas possible targets.
The psychological effects on the Japanesecitizens were important to the committeemembers.
The target location for the detonation ofthe bomb should be spectacular forinternational recognition.
Kyoto, Hiroshima, Kokura, and Niigata.
T T
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
50/69
TrumansTrumansTrue BeliefsTrue Beliefs
We have discovered the most terrible bomb in the history of the world. It may be the fire destruction prophesied in the Euphrates Valley Era, after Noah and his fabulous Ark.
I have told the Sec. of War, Mr. Stimson, to use it so that military objectives and soldiers and sailors are the target and not women and children.
He and I are in accord. The target will be a purely military one and we will issue a warning statement asking the Japs to surrender and save lives.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
51/69
Ulterior Motives forUlterior Motives for
Atomic Bombs?Atomic Bombs?
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
52/69
Official OrderOfficial Order
To Drop BombTo Drop Bomb1. Stimson (Sec. of War) and Byrnes(Sec. of State) advised Truman to usethe bomb. Spring and summer of 1945,
Truman approves decision.
2. Decision was noninterference.
3. Lt. Gen. Carl Spaatz requested awritten order.
4. Official order was issued on July 25 th .
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
53/69
SuccessSuccessAt 2 PM, just a few hours after the bombwas dropped on Hiroshima, General LeslieGroves called Dr. Robert Oppenheimer totell him of the weapons mass success
Groves said Apparently it went with atremendous bang.
Right after the tremendous success with theHiroshima bombing, Every effort is beingdevoted to their next objective (Nagasakithree days later)
After Nagasaki it was mentioned that therewill be a following objective implying thatthere could be a third bombing
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
54/69
The Atomic Bomb atThe Atomic Bomb at
HiroshimaHiroshima
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
55/69
Hiroshima DuringHiroshima During
World War IIWorld War IIHiroshima, Japan had reached a populationof over 381,000.
Due to evacuations, the city populationdropped to 255,000 at the time of theattack.
The citys building construction consistedof several reinforced concrete buildingsand lighter structures such as smallwooden workshops and houses.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
56/69
The Enola GayThe Enola GayOn August 6, 1945, the B-29 Enola Gay,under colonel Paul Tibbits left Tinian airbasein the West Pacific.
The six hour flight went exactly asexpected.
The bomb wasarmed midwayand clearweatherpermitted foraccuracy.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
57/69
Hiroshima BeforeHiroshima Before
The Atomic BombThe Atomic Bomb
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
58/69
Hiroshima AfterHiroshima After
The Atomic BombThe Atomic Bomb
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
59/69
The Mushroom CloudThe Mushroom Cloud8:15 AM, The LittleBoy was droppedover the center ofHiroshima
It exploded about2,000 ft. above thecity and had a blastthe equivalent to 13kilotons of TNT.
Due to radiation,approximately152,437 additionalpeople have died.
N ki D iN ki D i
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
60/69
Nagasaki DuringNagasaki DuringWorld War IIWorld War II
Nagasaki was one of the largestseaports in southern Japan.
The city was important during the warbecause of great industrial activity.
Most residences and industrial buildings weremade of wood.
Since the city had been permitted to growwithout any strict zoning laws, most buildingsand residences were constructed closely toeach other.
Formal WarningFormal Warning
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
61/69
Formal WarningFormal Warningto Japanto Japan
The leaflets calledfor a petition to theEmperor of Japan tostop the war andagree to thirteenconsequences of anhonorable surrender.
The leaflets calledfor a petition to theEmperor of Japan tostop the war andagree to thirteenconsequences of anhonorable surrender.
Sample Leaflet
On August 10, 1945thousands of leafletswere dropped over thecity of Nagasaki
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
62/69
BockscarBockscarSometimes called Bocks car.
B-29 bomber Superfortress, flown by MajorCharles W. Sweeney droppedthe Fat Man on August 9, 1945.
The Bockscar did didn't haveenough fuel to return toTinian or Iwo Jima,so Major Sweeney flew
the aircraft to Okinawafor an emergencylanding with practicallydry fuel tanks.
Th B biTh B bi
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
63/69
The Bombing:The Bombing:NagasakiNagasaki
Before After
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
64/69
Japanese LeadersJapanese Leaders
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
65/69
Japanese LeadersJapanese LeadersAfter the Use of theAfter the Use of the
Atomic BombsAtomic BombsEven after the use of the atomic bomb onHiroshima and Nagasaki, the Japanese werestill undecided on whether to surrender
There were two opposing plans for surrender
The plan with four conditions
1. A guarantee that the imperial family will
continue to reign.2. Disarmament of the armed forces byJapan herself.3. Trial of war criminals by Japan herself.4. Occupation of Japan to be limited to theminimum time and places
Th JTh J
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
66/69
The JapaneseThe JapaneseSurrenderSurrender
The Japanesesurrendered onSeptember 2,1945.
The ceremonytook place onthe USS Missouri accompanied by
British ships inTokyo Bay.
Japan agreed to a ceasefire and the releaseof POWs.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
67/69
Imperial RescriptImperial Rescript
on Surrenderon SurrenderThe enemy has begun to employ a new and most
cruel bomb, the power of which to do damage is,indeed, incalculable, taking the toll of many innocent lives. Should we continue to fight, not only would it result in an ultimate collapse and obliteration of the Japanese nation, but also it would lead to the total extinction of human civilization.
Such being the case, how are We to save the millions of Our subjects, or to atone Ourselves before the hallowed spirits of Our Imperial Ancestors? This is the reason why We have ordered the acceptance of the provisions of the Joint Declaration of the Powers.
Signing of the TermsSigning of the Terms
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
68/69
Signing of the TermsSigning of the Termsof Unconditionalof Unconditional
Surrender by JapanSurrender by Japan As President of the United States, I proclaim Sunday, September the second, 1945, to be V-J Day--the day of formal surrender by Japan. It is not yet the day for the formal proclamation of the end of the war nor of the cessation of hostilities. But it is a day which
we Americans shall always remember as a day of retribution--as we remember that other day, the day of infamy.
From this day we move forward. We move toward a new era of security at home. With the other United Nations we move toward a new and better world of cooperation, of peace and international good will and cooperation.
God's help has brought us to this day of victory. With His help we will attain that peace and prosperity for ourselves and all the world in the years ahead.
8/14/2019 The Attack on Hiroshima
69/69
HindsightHindsightTruman believed that if the atomicbomb was not successful, an invasionwould be needed.
After the war, information concludedthat Japan would have surrendered.
"Certainly prior to 31 December 1945, and in all probability prior to November 1945, Japan would have surrendered even if the atomic bombs had not been dropped, even if Russia had not entered the war, and even if no invasion had been planned or contemplated "