Warmup Who was this man? Albert Einstein

Agenda Warmup Drop the Atomic Bomb notes Bomb Drop Site activity - laptops

Albert Einstein’s letter In 1939, Albert Einstein wrote a letter to President Roosevelt Einstein described a powerful bomb built using uranium Einstein also noted that Germany is researching this new technology The US was neutral in 1939, but Roosevelt took interest in this new technology

Roosevelt’s Dilemma Einstein believed an “atomic bomb” was possible Some scientists believe building an “atomic bomb” would be impossible Ignore Einstein and don’t build bomb? Pursue construction of “atomic bomb”? Monitor Germany’s development of an “atomic bomb”? Denounce “atomic bombs” as immoral and evil? What should Roosevelt do?

Roosevelt’s Decision Roosevelt vigorously pursued the construction of an “atomic bomb” because the US was in a race against Germany Code-named the “Manhattan Project” 100,000 American scientists and researchers were tasked with building an “atomic bomb” Research and development took place at 30 different sites Many did not know what they were building

Truman and the Bomb President Roosevelt died in April 1945 Vice President Truman became President Told of the “atomic bomb” after becoming president When Germany is defeated, Japan refused to surrender to the US Even though the US was bombing them daily US invasion of Japan would likely cost tens of thousands of lives Both American and Japanese

Truman’s Dilemma Drop the atomic bomb without warning (killing hundreds of thousands) to force Japan’s surrender? Invite Japanese delegation to US and show them the bomb’s capabilities and offer them a chance to surrender? Give Japan warning about “ultimate weapon” and only use bomb if Japan refuses to surrender? Reject using atomic weapons and invade Japan?

Truman’s Decision Truman dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima without warning on August 6, 1945 Over 100,000 people were killed Instantly vaporized Force of impact Radiation Japan still did not surrender, so second bomb dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945 Another 100,000 killed Japan surrendered August 14, 1945

Who dropped the bomb? The Enola Gay was a Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber The first aircraft to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima It was piloted by Colonel Paul Tibbets and had a 12-man crew The bomb’s codename was “Little Boy” (9,000 pounds)

Barefoot Gen Barefoot Gen Japanese manga series written by Keiji Nakazawa Survived the Hiroshima atomic bomb Became an animated movie in 1986

Right or Wrong? Truman’s decision to drop atomic bomb on Japan is one of the most controversial in history Do you think Truman made the right decision?

Video Clips Dropping the Bomb The Man Who Filmed Hiroshima 10 Things You Didn't Know About Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Activity Using the laptops, go to: 1) http://nuclearsecrecy.com/nukemap 2) http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-08-04/what-if-your-hometown-were-hit-hiroshima-atomic-bomb Play around with it!