The BOMB

The Bomb America had a top-secret plan: - Manhattan Project – To design and deliver an atom bomb before anybody else does Included participation from England and in 1942 Canada (to provide uranium) Oppenhiemer – Lead Physicist- believed the science behind the bomb should be shared

The Atomic Bomb August 6, 1945, a lone American bomber (Enola Gay) flew high over the Japanese city of Hiroshima Dropped a single bomb named “Little Boy”, 3 days later, “Fat Man” was dropped on Nagasaki 1st atomic bomb unleashed on the world- officially close to 200,000 died instantly*

V- J Day Japan surrendered August 14 – 1945 The war was now over on all fronts …but things will never be the same Was it necessary to use such a weapon? Are weapons of mass destruction ever justified? What were the official/public opinion reasons for the use of the bomb? What arguments existed against the use of the bomb?

Justification The Japanese were unwilling to unconditionally surrender and provided near fanatical resistance Only 2 bombs existed- to use one to demonstrate to Japan was not worth the risk Invading Japan would involve heavy casualties on both sides, including an unknowable number of Japanese civilians Show the USSR the strength of the USA-

Unjustified Japan was willing to surrender conditionally in July 1945*, also the US blockade was having serious effects on Japan A demonstration close to Tokyo would have been sufficient to convince the Japanese to surrender Justify the $2billion price tag Hiroshima and Nagasaki were not militarily tactical cities- mostly innocent civilians The bomb was used to show American strength over the USSR

Was the Dropping of the Atomic Bomb on Japan Justified?