1. Background to the Bomb
Aim: To understand the situation of the main powers affected by the decision to drop the Atomic Bomb in 1945.

2. USSR – Political situation
The USSR was a communist country
It was a one party dictatorship
The leader of the USSR was Joseph Stalin
Despite the struggle of World War Two the regime was secure, especially after victory in Europe

3. USSR – Military situation
The USSR had helped UK and USA beat Germany in Europe and now occupied most of Eastern Europe
The USSR was eager to ‘help’ in the East – they had promised to join the war within three months of defeating Germany

4. USSR – Economic & Social
It was becoming an economic superpower
The rights of the individual were less important than the good of society
Nearly a quarter of Soviet property was destroyed during the war
Food was strictly rationed

5. USA – Political situation
The USA was a democracy
It was a capitalist country
For Americans being free of government control was more important than everyone being equal
They believed other countries should be run the American way
They were anti-communist

6. USA – Military situation
America turned the tide on Japan with naval victories in the Coral Sea (May 1942) and Midway (June 1942)
They followed a policy of island hopping
American industry was turning out a huge amount of military equipment – ‘the arsenal of democracy’

7. USA – Economic & Social America was the world’s wealthiest country
There were extremes – great wealth and great poverty at the same time
Capitalism meant business and property were privately owned
‘Social’ problems were forgotten during the war
Unemployment disappeared and wages doubled

8. Japan – Political situation
Japan was ruled by an Emperor
Most power was held by the military – with generals leading the government
By the middle of 1944 many leaders, including the Emperor, thought Japan was going to lose
The Japanese people remained loyal throughout the war

9. Japan – Military situation
Following Pearl Harbor Japan conquered a great deal of land in Asia
By May 1942 they had overrun Burma, Malaya, Dutch East Indies, Singapore and the Philippines
They were making progress towards Australia
As the war turned against them used weapons such as Kamikaze (divine wind) pilots
By 1945 there were 5.5 million men in the army

10. Japan – Economic & Social
Their new territory gave them access to vital raw materials
By 1945 Allied air raids were devastating Japanese cities and their industries
Attacks on Japanese cities led to shortages
The people were still prepared to die for their emperor