How do you understand the nuclear strikes on Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

How are we to understand this event?

Victory, Disaster, Necessary, Unnecessary, Exploitive, Purposeful…

NUCLEAR WEAPONS: A “NECESSARY” EVIL?

BELL ACTIVITY:

• Write down everything you know about the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Today’s question: How should we remember the dropping of the atomic bomb?

Today you are going to choose an image which you think best represents your position regarding the use of nuclear weapons against Japan.

WAS IT NECESSARY?• History is often a battle of competing

perspectives

• What are the perspectives which guide this discussion? What are the differing perspectives which shape this argument?

• Did all U.S. Military personnel agree with President Harry Truman’s decision to nuke Japan?

• What was the greatest consideration when the decision was made—think Tarawa, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa?

"...in [July] 1945... Secretary of War Stimson, visiting my headquarters in Germany, informed me that our government was preparing to drop an atomic bomb on Japan. I was one of those who felt that there were a number of cogent reasons to question the wisdom of such an act. ...the Secretary, upon giving me the news of the successful bomb test in New Mexico, and of the plan for using it, asked for my reaction, apparently expecting a vigorous assent.

"During his recitation of the relevant facts, I had been conscious of a feeling of depression and so I voiced to him my grave misgivings, first on the basis of my belief that Japan was already defeated and that dropping the bomb was completely unnecessary, and secondly because I thought that our country should avoid shocking world opinion by the use of a weapon whose employment was, I thought, no longer mandatory as a measure to save American lives. It was my belief that Japan was, at that very moment, seeking some way to surrender with a minimum loss of 'face'. The Secretary was deeply perturbed by my attitude..."

- Dwight Eisenhower, Mandate For Change, pg. 380

HOW IT WORKS…• You will receive a sheet explaining two opposing historical perspectives.

• We will—AS A CLASS—review these positions• Answer the questions at the bottom of this first sheet individually. Discuss…• I will then put you in groups of two. Each group will become an expert in one

of two chosen fields: American or Japanese perspectives. • Read the entire packet: documents A-E • Once you become an expert, provide evidence for your case using the “Main

Points” worksheet• I will then match your group with a pair who have studied the competing

ideology• Explain your position to the other group; listen to the other groups ideas and

record them on the “Online Memorial Decision Sheet.” • As a group, decide on a photo which might be used to create an online

memorial to commemorate the nuclear annihilation of both Hiroshima and Nagasaki

• Your group of four will present your photo and explain why you chose the photo for an online memorial

ASSESSMENT • Your participation is being monitored

• Be actively engaged in the lesson

• Talk should center on the decision to use nuclear weapons against Japan in WWII

• I will collect your worksheets (2)

• This is a 5 point assignment whereby 1 point is determined by your active participation