Atomic Bomb Debate

Review The Atomic bombs were dropped on these two cities? The Atomic bombs were dropped by…? Were the cities given any sort of warning? Had a weapon like this been used before? Has a weapon like this been used since? How many lives were estimated to have been take immediately? What was the name of the project that developed the bombs?

Fact sheet The bombs cost an estimate $5 billion dollar per bomb 4 were created One was used as a test Two were dropped One was never used There was another estimated 76 million at least for to air force to modified bombers, and train personnel for the project.

Fact Sheet Continued… By the time the Americans dropped the bomb the Allies had pushed Japan out of all the territory they once had or fought for in the Pacific. People are still feeling and dying from the effects of the atomic bombs. The bomb was developed by a team of international scientists including Einstein.

Reasoning from the American Perspective The Americans were facing a choice of using the bombs or invading Japan. It is unknown how many American lives could have been lost in this invasion. To the Americans it seemed that the Japanese would never surrender. The bombs had cost millions of dollars to develop. It would have been difficult to justify not using them after such expenses, The Japanese had been very cruel to prisoners of War. Some Americans thought they deserved it. The USA wanted to show how much stronger it was than the USSR. And intimidate other world powers.

Your Task Develop a T-chart On one side title it Justifications for the Atomic Bombs On the other title it Condemning the Atomic Bombs Under each heading write some of the facts we just discussed regarding the dropping of the bombs. These should be facts that can be used to support an argument. Develop and argument for each side that will use these facts as support.

Discuss You have been divided and assigned a side for the debate. Take 5 minutes and come up with an argument and evidence with your group. Nominate 2 representatives for the debate.

Rules of the Debate Each side will present their opening argument The sides will then be given an opportunity to share five points of evidence. These can be new points or can counter a point from the opposing side.

End of the debate No clear winner or looser will be chosen It is now up to everyone in the class after hearing the points to decide if they believe the bombings were justified or not. On your index card write down if you believe it is justified or not and why.