The Atomic Bomb

The Destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

The Manhattan Project

• Believed Nazi’s were developing atomic weapons.

• U.S. is first nation to develop nuclear weapons.

• First atomic detonation is at the Trinity test on June 6th, 1945

Air Raids on Japan

• 1945 U.S. steps up firebombing of Japanese cities.

• Tokyo-100,000 people killed in a single night. • 25% of all housing in Japan is destroyed.• Some estimate casualties at 900,000 thousand

deaths.

Potsdam Conference

• July-August 1945: Meeting between U.S., Soviets, and British leaders.

• Discussed what was to be done after the war with Germany and Japan.

• At the previous Yalta Conference, Soviet Union agreed to invade Japan after Germany surrendered.

“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."

Hiroshima and Nagasaki

• No reply from Japanese about surrendering.• Aug. 6th 1945: Enola Gay drops atomic bomb on

Hiroshima.• No reply from Japanese: Drop another one on

Nagasaki 3 days later.• Japan surrenders unconditionally August 15th,

1945. • V-J Day: September 2nd 1945, Japan signs formal

surrender documents.