Focus Question: How should we remember the dropping of atomic bombs on Japan? Do Now: Write down everything you know about the dropping of the atomic bombs on Japan at the end of World War II. Create one analysis question about the events.

How was the atomic bomb created? The atomic bomb was created in the southwestern desert of the United States. The Manhattan Project was the name of the top-secret program to develop the atomic bomb during WW II. The Germans and Americans had been racing to complete the bomb first but with Germany's destruction and the persecution of many of its top scientists who were Jewish, the German effort was severely hampered. The first atomic bomb was detonated in a test in the New Mexico desert on July 16th 1945. It was considered a spectacular success.

Why did Truman use the a-bomb? The army estimated that it would have cost between 500,000 to 1,000,000 U.S. soldiers lives for a full-scale invasion of Japan. Truman wanted an unconditional surrender of Japan.

When was the bomb dropped? The Army created a list of 5 military targets and the bomb would be dropped depending on weather conditions. The first available target was the industrial city of Hiroshima. The bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. The bomb’s nickname was “Little Boy.” The second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki after the Japanese government failed to surrender. The bomb, nicknamed “Fat Man,” was dropped on August 9, 1945.

What were the effects of the bombs? Hiroshima and Nagasaki were utterly destroyed. Over 30,000 people were killed at Hiroshima and 20,000 were killed at Nagasaki. Tens of thousands more died later of various illnesses related to radiation exposure. The day after the bombing of Nagasaki, Japan signaled its unconditional surrender to the U.S. America sent a strong message to the USSR that we had a weapon that they did not have. It was a strong signal that we were the world’s only nuclear superpower.

Mushroom clouds over Hiroshima (left) and Nagasaki (right).

Bomb damage in downtown Hiroshima.

Bomb damage in downtown Hiroshima.

Photo taken soon after bombing in Hiroshima.

Hiroshima: Shadows are all that remained of a person and ladder (left) and person sitting on steps of a bank (right).

Hiroshima: Shadow left by a person walking across a bridge when the bomb exploded.