The Dropping of the Atomic Bomb

Truman becomes

President in April of

1945 after Roosevelt’s

death

He learns of the atomic bomb after be becomes President.

Truman’s choice – Invade Japan or drop the bomb?

Arguments for dropping the bombHow many Americans soldiers would die in an invasion?•A million? (this number was put forward after the bomb was dropped)•What number is the threshold?•How does an American president make this choice?

Arguments for dropping the bomb

Justified because of Japanese war tactics

American racism against the Japanese•Would we ever have dropped the bomb on Germany, which was “civilized”?

Arguments for dropping the bomb

Military Pressures•More deaths with an invasion

•Cost of the invasion

•Cost of the already-built bomb

•Use the bomb on military targets

•All is fair in war

Secretary of War Henry Stimson

Arguments for dropping the bomb

Send a message to the Soviets•Tensions with the Soviet Union are growing as World War II is ending•Dropping the bomb be a powerful statement of American strength and military dominance

Alternative demonstration of the bomb?

Drop the bomb in a neutral location with international onlookers

Good idea?

Problems!

Would the information be accurately reported to the empire?

What if the bomb was a dud?

No bombs to spare!

Unconditional surrender? • Would the Japanese have

surrender without us having to drop the bomb if we had eliminated the requirement of an “unconditional surrender”?

• Guarantee to allow the emperor to remain as emperor?• Would this embolden the Japanese to fight for better terms?

• Concern over public opinion. Is this a sign of weakness?

The decision is made

Hiroshima“Little Boy” was dropped from the Enola Gay on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945

Hiroshima

The wind generated by the bomb was felt up to 1.5 miles away

HiroshimaThe wind hit the mountains, bounced off, and hit the city center a second time

Hiroshima

Melted sake bottles

The shadow of the leaves melted onto an electrical pole

The shadows of the parapetsimprinted on the road surface

Hiroshima• Approximately

140,000 died from the effects of the bomb by the end of the year (from a total population of about 350,000)

• Soldiers, citizens of all ages, and Korean factory workers were among the dead

Nagasaki

“Fat Man” was dropped from Bockscar on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945

Nagasaki• Nagasaki was a larger city and “Fat Man” was a more

powerful bomb.• Damage was not as extensive as the damage at

Hiroshima because of the geography.

World War II is over

The Empire of Japan surrenders on August 14, 1945