1. The Atomic Bomb

2. Manhattan Project
Top-secret project to develop a weapon using atomic energy
Chief scientist Robert Oppenheimer was in charge of the project
First bomb detonated in the desert of New Mexico in July of 1945

3. Attack on Japan
After fighting the Japanese in the Pacific and at Okinawa an invasion of Japan was a daunting task that may cost 500,000 American lives
Most advisers to President Truman wanted to end the war as quickly as possible

4. Potsdam Ultimatum
President Truman did not want to send in more troops to fight
Issued a statement to Emperor Hirohito to surrender or they could expect complete destruction
No mention of the weapon to be used

5. Hiroshima
August 6, 1945 “Little Boy” is dropped on Hiroshima (350,000 people)
City was picked as a military target and for psychological effects on Japanese
140,000 Japanese died by the end of the year from the bomb

6. Nagasaki August 9, 1945 The Japanese had still not surrendered
US dropped “Fat Man” on the large seaport responsible for production of Japanese weapons
By the end of the year 80,000 Japanese had died from the bomb/ effects

7. Unconditional Surrender
On August 14th the Emperor Hirohito announced Japan’s surrender to the people of Japan
On September 2nd the Japanese formally surrendered in a ceremony held on the USS Missouri