*To date is the only attack with Nuclear weapons in the history of warfare. *U.S. was bombing other Japanese cities before the atomic bombs were dropped.*Hiroshima was bombed first.*As many as 234,000 people were killed with both bombs. Other deaths occurred from aftermath.*After the bombings took place, people continued dying from cancer and other secondary illnesses (these were caused by the immense radiation from the bombs).*Japan did not surrender until 6 days after the bombing of Nagasaki.

*The plane carrying the bomb (Little Boy) to bomb Hiroshima was called Enola Gay. The bomb was dropped at 8:15 Hiroshima time.*The bomb dropped on Nagasaki was named “Fat Man”. *The original target was Kokura, but Nagasaki was chosen because of poor visibility/cloud cover of Kokura and low fuel in the plane.*Major Charles W. Sweeney flew the B-29 Superfortress Bockscar that dropped the bomb. * Any Japanese that survived the bombings was known as hibakusha (Japanese literal translation: explosion-affected people).

*The bombing took place on August 6, 1945.*About 13 kilotons (28660095 lbs.) of TNT were equivalent to the blast made by Little Boy. *Little Boy weighed 9,700 lbs. *From the time the bomb was dropped from the plan it took 45 seconds to explode. *20 American prisoners held in Hiroshima died in the explosion as well. *An estimated 70,000 people died from the explosion. *At the end of 1945 the death toll was estimate at 100,000 from secondary illnesses and long term affects from the bombing.

Little Boy

*The bombing took place on August 9, 1945.*Fat Man’s explosion had the equivalent of 21 kilotons of TNT (46297076 lbs.).*The heat given off from the bomb was 3,900 degrees Celsius (7,052 degrees Fahrenheit). *Winds from the bomb were 1,005 km/h (625 miles/hour) . *The affects from the bomb were 9 times worse than a category 5 hurricane. *Estimated 40,000 people were killed instantaneously, and another 60,000 were injured.*14,000 of 52,000 homes in Nagasaki were destroyed by the bomb, and another 5,200 were damaged. Fat Man

The decision made to drop the atomic bomb was solely made by the President of the United States at the time, Harry S. Truman after the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. Truman believed dropping the bombs would save lives of Americans and other European nations citizens on their side. He also believed it would put a more timely end to the war. It is said that Japan attacked us first and in order to stop them from killing more innocents, drastic actions must be taken. Therefore, Truman decided to put an end to the problem and drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It was a tough decision to make and would for sure strike debates about whether it was the right decision or not.

Dropping the atomic bomb on Japan is considered the most controversial decision of WW2. If Japan had not of bombed Pearl Harbor, and America needn’t stop Japan in the war; odds are the atomic bomb probable would not have come into existence. All around the world scientists knew of the energy trapped inside the atomic nucleus and were finding new ways to harness it. While America was trying to defeat Japan, the atomic bomb was a progress in the making. Germany and Japan also had programs that knew of the energy from atomic weapons, but America beat them to the making of them by spending $2 billion dollars to design, test, and manufacture the bomb under the Manhattan project.

Ever since Truman made the decision to bomb Japan, his reasoning behind has been questioned since. The people who question this are known as Revisionists. Revisionists have said that Truman’s reasoning for dropping the atomic bomb was not to end the war quickly, rather that it was a cover up. Not only was the bombing believed to be a punishment for the Japanese for bombing Pearl Harbor and harsh treatment of American P.O.W’s, but to prove that bombing Japan was the only thing that would justify the expense of the Manhattan Project. If the cost was not justified Truman would have been in a load of trouble with congress. He would’ve faced a Congressional inquiry about the misappropriation of $2 billion dollars. It is also believed that his chances of re-election would’ve been ruined if the public found out he wasted the country’s money and American lives by shelving a weapon that could’ve ended the war more quickly. Revisionists also said that Truman was giving the U.S. some edge. This edge would be shown in the upcoming Cold War. It would prove that Truman wasn’t afraid to use massive weapons.

Why Hiroshima? #1Why Hiroshima? #2

*During 16th century it was founded by Mori Terumoto.*Grew into a center of military activity after being founded as a fortified area.*Population before was at 360,000; in 1942 peaked to 419,182. *The city took a drastic change from its military past after the bombing.*Now is a center of the movement for peace and reduction of nuclear bombs. *Is one of the most popular tourist stops in Japan.*Population today is 1,137,000.

*After WW2 received donations (streetcars) to rebuild their streetcar system in the city. This is the most extensive system in Japan. *Mazda automobile manufacturing.

Hiroshima was a place surrounded by buildings, homes, and other places that would easily catch fire. Homes were wooden with tile roofs and industrial building had wood frame construction. The entire city was very susceptible to fire damage. When the bomb hit Hiroshima it hit more downward than at an angle, which is said to be why some building withstood the fire. Fifteen minutes before the bomb was dropped the air raid siren had been turned off. So, at the time of the bomb, many people, including several Japanese army men, were out on the streets of Hiroshima with a deadly weapon on the way.

Originally Nagasaki was not the first target. Kokura was, but due to heavy cloud coverage and low fuel a different location was chosen and that was Nagasaki. It was chosen particularly because of it’s industries. Nagasaki was one of the largest sea ports in Japan producing many things. It had produced ordnance, ships, military equipment, and other war materials. Nagasaki’s building, homes, and industries were made of wood just as in Hiroshima, but were worse. They were made horrible and were more susceptible to fire.

After the war Nagasaki was rebuilt with new buildings, churches, and homes. The Christian presence in the city never died away, but in fact grew even stronger. The citizens of Nagasaki pulled together and became a stronger community. Some of the rubble was left as memorials to remind them of the devastation they survived. Some memorials include, the one-legged torii gate and a stone arch near ground zero. Nagasaki returned to being a port city, and has yet again strived in that particular area.

*Population today is 440,000 people.*Remains dedicated to world peace. *There is no evidence to the present, of the devastation and destruction from the bombs. The only thing reminding them of that is the memorials and museums. *Nagasaki today still thrives from being a sea port city. *Nagasaki is transforming into a very charming city. *Since the bombing Nagasaki is a very Christian city. It became more religious and stronger after the bombing took place. *Is a very popular tourist place now.*Continues to make war products (mostly Marine).

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4l3co_hiroshima-nagasaki-atomic-bomb-vict_news

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/392814/atomic_bomb_little_boy_original_footage/

• http://www.cfo.doe.gov/me70/manhattan/nagasaki.htm

• http://www.listfied.com/10-facts-about-the-atomic-bombings-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki

• http://www.essortment.com/all/presidenttruman_rywp.htm