The Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki By: John Gilliland

Root cause of bombing Rationale for the bombing. 1. To stop the plan called Operation Downfall, a planned attack on the U.S. 2.To prevent mass casualties resulting from the planned invasion of the Japanese mainland. 3. To prevent the war from going on any longer.

Reasons not to bomb Many people didn’t want us to use the bomb. 1. Ethical consideration that the act of bombing civilians may be considered a war crime. 2. Use of bombs may not serve intended purpose. Japan may still refuse to surrender.

Important People Albert Einstein was a critic of the bombing and was against it. He sent a letter to the president saying that the bombs weren’t necessary.

Important People Leo Szilard is one of the many people against the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Important People Peter Kuznick was the director of the Nuclear Studies Institute at American University. He said to the president: ”He knew he was beginning the process of annihilation of the species. It was not just a war crime; it was a crime against humanity."

Maps of the devastation and the weapon that caused it First Atomic Bomb Format of the First Atomic Bomb

Primary Source "We have discussed among ourselves the ethics of the use of the bomb. Some consider it in the same category as poison gas and were against its use on a civil population. Others were of the view that in total war, as carried on in Japan, there was no difference between civilians and soldiers, and that the bomb itself was an effective force tending to end the bloodshed, warning Japan to surrender and thus to avoid total destruction. It seems logical to me that he who supports total war in principle cannot complain of war against civilians." By: Father John A. Siemes (works at a Catholic University).

Details The Americans decided to bomb Japan with the Atomic bombs to avoid being attacked and to protect lives of American soldiers. It is estimated half of our men, a number approaching about half a million people, would have died invading Japan. There were no good solutions to end the war, given Japan’s willingness to accept a tremendous amount of casualties in continuing their war efforts.

In the end At the end of the bombing, more than 220,000 people died from both bombs (The “Little boy” killed 140,000 people in Hiroshima and the “Fat man” killed 80,000 people). The Japanese surrendered six days later.

Time Line 1. August 8th, 1945, leaflets dropped to warn of next bombing unless the Japanese accepted their requests. 2. August 9th, Soviet Military declare war on Japan. 3. August 9th, the “Fat man” bomb carried to Nagasaki and dropped by U.S. B-29 Superfortress Bockscar. 4. August 14, Japan surrenders and ends the war.

Hiroshima A city in Japan that was the primary source for the bombing with the “Little man”. The bomb did 1.38% of material fissioning. 90% of the buildings were damaged or completely destroyed.

Nagasaki The largest seaport in Japan and very important during the war. The primary target was Kokura and Nagasaki as a secondary. The bombs temperature was 3900 degrees Celsius (7000 degrees Fahrenheit).

Hirohito’s speech Moreover, the enemy now possesses a new and terrible weapon with the power to destroy many innocent lives and do incalculable damage. Should we continue to fight, not only would it result in an ultimate collapse and obliteration of the Japanese nation, but also it would lead to the total extinction of human civilization. Such being the case, how are We to save the millions of Our subjects, or to atone Ourselves before the hallowed spirits of Our Imperial Ancestors? This is the reason why We have ordered the acceptance of the provisions of the Joint Declaration of the Powers. That speech was released on the radio and ended the invasion and the war.

The Unexpected When we bombed Japan, we didn’t know of who (besides the Japanese) was there. We killed: Allied POWs. Korean and Chinese laborers. Malaya students on scholarships. 3,200 Japanese Americans citizens.

Citied Sources http://www.atomicarchive.com/Maps/Images/Nagasaki.gif http://www.atomicarchive.com/Maps/Images/Hiroshima.gif http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debate_over_the_atomic_bombings_of_Hiroshima_and_Nagasaki http://www.voanews.com/english/images/TV_06jul05_PeterKuznick.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d3/Albert_Einstein_Head.jpg