1. Josh Darges, Sean McDowell, Dan Jena, Andrew McCloskey ATOMIC BOMBING OF HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI DISCUSSION

2.  The bulk of today’s class will revolve around student discussion.  First, after the intro, discussion will open up briefly to discuss the anticipatory set.  Then a very brief lecture will be given on today’s material.  Third, we will have our actual discussion, splitting the class into two teams for a mini debate. DISCUSSION LESSON

3.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHZAaGidUbg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHZAaGidUbg  This shows the power behind an atomic bomb.  Ethical questions can be raised immediately because the US knew the power they could unleash on a nation and its people, and still chose to use it.  Today, we will be discussing whether or not the dropping of the bomb was the right decision or not. “CRUEL BOMBS”

4.  Overall thoughts? THOUGHTS?

5.  Manhattan Project/Trinity Test  V.E. Day  Potsdam Conference  Impending invasion of mainland Japan EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE DECISION

6.  The Manhattan Project was the research and development into the creation of nuclear weapons, run by Robert Oppenheimer.  The Project spanned several years and was kept to a need-to- know basis.  Trinity Test, July 16, 1945 MANHATTAN PROJECT AND TRINITY TEST

7. “I AM BECOME DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS” – ROBERT OPPENHEIMER, UPON WITNESSING THE TRINITY TEST

8.  The United States was pushing Japanese Military forces off the formerly occupied Pacific islands.  Japanese resistance was fanatical, civilians would often commit mass suicide ahead of Allied capture.  Due to Japanese refusal to surrender, an invasion of mainland Japan would cost hundreds of thousands, if not millions of American lives, not to mention the millions of Japanese dead.  The atomic bomb was an alternative to this. INVASION OF MAINLAND JAPAN

9.  July 17-August 2, 1945 in Potsdam, Germany after the abdication of the Third Reich.  Meeting between “the Big Three” – Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill, Harry Truman.  Discussed peace negotiations as well as the best way to end the war.  Truman alluded to the US possessing and successfully testing a nuclear weapon. POTSDAM CONFERENCE

10.  We know the outcome of the atomic bombings were catastrophic (80,000 dead instantly in Hiroshima, 40,000 dead instantly in Nagasaki, Tens of thousands died within the following weeks from radiation exposure). With this in mind, would you support or condemn the decision to drop the atomic bomb? DISCUSSION

11.  A debate is a great way to conduct a discussion lesson.  The students are able to talk throughout the lesson.  Students are able to voice their own opinions and challenge fellow classmate’s opinions.  In this case, students can learn about the ethics or moral side of certain historical events, such as the decision dropping the atomic bomb.  Assessment  Do you think there could be another situation in which a nuclear weapon is necessary in today’s world? Provide factual evidence to back your claim. CONCLUSION

12.  http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of- hiroshima-and-nagasaki http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of- hiroshima-and-nagasaki  https://history.state.gov/milestones/1937-1945/potsdam- conf https://history.state.gov/milestones/1937-1945/potsdam- conf  http://www.ushistory.org/us/51f.asp http://www.ushistory.org/us/51f.asp SOURCES