The Atomic Bomb Lesson starter. 1.Why was D Day 1944 not the end of World War Two? 2.What does the word ally mean?

Today we will… Understand the effects of the atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki Assess the arguments for and against the attack

Success Criteria I can explain why the Americans chose to use the atomic bomb I can give details of the impact of the atomic bomb I can work as part of a group to complete a DME to decide whether the Americans were right in their decision.

8 th May 1945.World War II ended in Europe on the 8 th May The Japanese did not surrender and the war with Japan was still going on in August million American soldiers.The Americans did not want to invade mainland Japan as they thought it would cause the death of 1 million American soldiers. They needed an alternative tactic.They needed an alternative tactic. Why did the Americans chose to use atomic weapons?

fire- bombingThe Americans had been fire- bombing Japanese cities for 6 months, yet the Japanese had not surrendered. 100,00 people had been killed in Tokyo and up to 900,000 across Japan. Hiroshima was being saved to test the ‘new weapon’.People in Hiroshima were used to seeing B-52 bombers, but they never dropped bombs – Hiroshima was being saved to test the ‘new weapon’. Why did the Americans chose to use atomic weapons?

‘Little Boy’At 8:15 on 6 th August 1945, the ‘Little Boy’ atomic bomb was dropped over Hiroshima. 100,000 people died instantly100,000 people died instantly – many had horrific burns and injuries. Some people were literally burnt into the ground. ½ a million died within the next five years of radiation poisoning.Another ½ a million died within the next five years of radiation poisoning. Nagasaki.A second bomb was dropped on the city of Nagasaki. The Japanese surrendered on 15th August. Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The Uranium bomb dropped on Hiroshima – ‘Little Boy’

Nagasaki Bomb – ‘Fat Man’

Hiroshima before the bomb

After the bomb

The victims

Was there an alternative option to end the war? BBC iWonder - Was it right to bomb Hiroshima?BBC iWonder - Was it right to bomb Hiroshima?

Video Exercise – A Survivor’s Experience Watch the following animation about the dropping of the bomb on Hiroshima. Takes notes on the survivor’s experience as you will be able to use these for the Decision Making Exercise. Holocaust Survivor Video

Listening Exercise – A Survivor’s Experience You will hear a clip of a Hiroshima survivor who was a child in 1945 Answer the questions from the next slide as you hear the clip Hiroshima Coroner’s report

The Atomic Bomb – Decision Making Exercise You will now be given sheets providing you with more information on the attacks As a group you need to decide which of the arguments are FOR using the Atomic Bomb and which are AGAINST.

Opinion Corners America were right to use the Atomic Bomb to end the war.

Opinion Corners Sometimes innocent civilians are killed in warfare.

Opinion Corners The loss of life was a necessary evil – it ended the war.

Opinion Corners Japan did not surrender – they deserved the bomb.

Opinion Corners Nuclear weapons should be banned.

Today we will… Understand the effects of the atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki Assess the arguments for and against the attack

Success Criteria I can explain why the Americans chose to use the atomic bomb I can give details of the impact of the atomic bomb I can work as part of a group to complete a DME to decide whether the Americans were right in their decision.