Three days later, on august 9, a second bomb, fat man, was dropped on nagasaki. Debate if america should have dropped the atomic bomb through evidence based. Nuclear physicist leo szilardts recollection of a 1945 meeting between james byrnes and a group of concerned atomic scientists 1949 the question of whether the bomb should be used in the war against. The atomic bomb took four years to produce about two billion dollars moss 22. The immense power from the atomic bomb made scientists scared as they believed dropping the atomic bomb would initiate a nuclear age.
Students will be able to explain the significance of the united states dropping the atomic bomb on japan. President harry truman made the ultimate decision to use the atomic bomb, to him it was a clear decision that this would end the war with americas most hated enemy. Hiroshima and nagasaki, resulting in a death toll unprecedented by any military weapon used before and an. Scribd is the worlds largest social reading and publishing site. Japanese dignitaries, drop an atomic bomb on selected industrial japanese cities, bomb and blockade the. On the other hand, one can argue that the dropping of the atomic bomb was a diplomatic measure calculated to intimidate the soviet union. The decision to drop the atomic bomb dbq free essays. This bombing was the first ever nuclear weapon used and it is estimated to have killed more than 129,000 japanese. How should we remember the dropping of the atomic bomb. Rape of nanking in 1936 and 1937 the japanese army entered the city of nanking, what happened there over six weeks is known as the rape of nanking.
Therefore, one can argue that the dropping of the atomic bomb was a diplomatic measure calculated to intimidate the soviet union and one can argue that this idea was backed by the theories of containment and massive retaliation. Leveling over 60 percent of the city, 70,000 residents died instantaneously in a searing flash of heat. This weapon, known as the atomic bomb, was used on the two japanese cities. Jul 24, 2007 accounts of the american justification for dropping a second bomb in nagasaki. Document based question dbq, use of the atomic bomb. Essentially, the theory behind the dropping atomic bomb on. Atomic bomb dbq to what extent was the dropping of the atomic bomb a military necessity. Nuclear physicist leo szilardts recollection of a 1945 meeting between james byrnes and a group of concerned atomic scientists 1949 the question of whether the bomb should be used in the war against japan came up for discussion.
Apush dbq atomic bomb dbq world war 2, a time of bloodshed, fear, and chaos. Decision to drop the bomb students will analyze a variety of primary source documents to analyze the decision made by president truman to use the atomic bomb in wwii. Atomic bomb dbq outline guide to what extent was the dropping of the atomic bomb a military necessity. Help your students prepare for the ny regents exam with these documentbased question exercises modeled closely on the format used in the exam. Dropping the atomic bomb constituted a major factor in decision of japan to accept the terms laid out at the potsdam agreement. Apush dbq as world war ii was coming to an end during 1945, the creation of one of the most destructive weapons known to humanity occurred within the united states.
Hiroshima had been almost eradicated with an estimated 70 80 thousand people killed. Decide whether or not the united states was justified in dropping the atomic bombs on hiroshima and nagasaki. In the summer of 1945, american planners hoped that a naval blockade and strategic bombing. United states decision to drop the atomic bomb dbq. Monitor students and help with questions while students write dbqs. This document includes 9 primary resource documents regarding the dropping of the atomic bomb. History, the dropping of the atomic bombs on japan during world war ii. Both caused enormous casualties and physical destruction. Scientists in new mexico had successful tested a powerful new weaponan atomic bomb to further strengthen the countrys arsenal. Scientists in new mexico had successful tested a powerful new weaponan atomic bombto further strengthen the countrys arsenal. The japanese waged war on america and progressively tried to dominate the pacific ocean. The loss of life was staggering in both hiroshima and nagasaki.
Despite the obvious diplomatic advantage to implementing one of the most intimidating weapons of that time, the united states tactics and goals behind dropping the ato. The atomic bomb took four years to produce about two billion dollars moss. The united states decision to drop an atomic bomb on hiroshima was a diplomatic measurg calculated to intimidate the soviet union in the postsecondworldwar era rather than a strictly military measure designed to force japans unconditional surrender. Practice dbq the decision to drop the atomic bomb on.
Dropping of the atomic dbq name historical context. The united states decision to drop an atomic bomb on hiroshima was a diplomatic measurg calculated to intimidate the soviet union in the postsecond world. Was truman justified in making the decision to drop the atomic bomb on hiroshima and nagasaki in. When other countries realized that america held this type of power, they began the race to develop their own.
Students will be able to critically examine the pros and cons of dropping the atomic bomb. Pros and cons of dropping the atomic bomb the dropping of atomic bomb in hiroshima and nagasaki ended the wars quickly, as japan saw the devastating effects it had on their people and country. Items included are a lesson plan, standards, discussion guiding. Did the usa need to drop bombs on hiroshima and nagasaki in 1945. Three days later another b29, bocks car, released one over nagasaki. This lesson contains images of violence that may not be appropriate for younger students.
The decision to drop the atomic bomb on hiroshima and nagasaki why did the united states drop two atomic bombs on japan. At his first meeting with the press the day after fdrs sudden death on april 12, 1945, harry truman lamented, i dont know whether you fellows ever had a load of hay or a bull fall ort you, but last night the moon, the stars, and all the planets fell on me. The cons of dropping the atomic bomb include the following. But all of this chaos all started for the united states on december 7, 1941, the bombing of pearl harbor. The original desire of the united states government when they dropped little boy and fat man on hiroshima and nagasaki was not, in fact, the one more commonly known. In this lesson plan, students read four different accounts of the bombings and must decide for themselves how we should remember the dropping of the atomic bombs.
Today you are going to choose an image that will go on a united nations website commemorating the dropping of the atomic bomb. Their casualties in defending the hopeless island of okinawa equaled to onehundredtenthousand and the naval blockade that the allies had enforced brought trade down to almost nothing document a. On the clear morning of august 6, the first atomic bomb, nicknamed little boy, was dropped on the city of hiroshima. The atomic bomb the manhattan project was a united states government research project where they produced the first atomic bomb. Some argue that the bombing was necessary to end world war ii, while others believe that more than 200,000 civilians died in vain. The decision to drop the atomic bomb the united states decision to drop an atomic bomb on hiroshima was a diplomatic measure calculated to intimidate the soviet union in the postsecondworldwar era rather than a strictly military measure designed to force japans unconditional surrender. The united states decision to drop an atomic bomb on hiroshima was a diplomatic measurg calculated to intimidate the soviet union in the postsecondworldwar era rather than a strictly. Write down everything you know about the dropping of the atomic bomb at the end of wwii. Primary source document with questions dbqs the decision to use the atomic bomb february 1947 by henry lewis stimson introduction the dropping of the atomic bombs on hiroshima august 6, 1945 and nagasaki august 9, 1945 remains among the. Document 1 i had then set up a committee of top men and had asked them to study with great care the implications the new weapons might have for us. Reasons against dropping the atomic bomb argument 3. This editable dbq argues for and against using the atomic bomb against japan during world war ii through 6 primary source documents with constructed response questions followed by an essay question using all the documents. The nuclear age had truly begun with the first military use of atomic weapons. The use of nuclear weapons on japan is perhaps the most controversial military decision the u.
Did the benefits of dropping the bomb outweigh the costs. Scientists say that the explosion of the atomic bomb was equal to kilotons of tnt. This lesson contains images of violence that may not be appropriate for younger. The project started in 1942, with only six thousand dollars in funding, and ended in 1945, when the first atomic bomb was produced. This discussion case study dbq is a great way to expose the students to one of the most controversial events in u. Was dropping the atomic bombs on japan justified project tahoe. Use of the atomic bombs was racially motivated opponents of president trumans decision to use the atomic bomb argue that racism played an important role in the decision. Three days later, a second, more powerful bomb was dropped on the japanese city of. Scientists reported that the atomic bomb was equivalent to bringing the sun to earth. The decision to drop these land flattening bombs was not an easy one, but one that many people believed had to happen. Extended controversial issue discussion lesson plan template. Dropping of the atomic dbq answer the questions on your handout in sentence form a few are just list an answer answer documents 127 349 568 or divide in half after you and your partners have answered the questions and each of you has completed the handout you are in charge of creating a persuasive.
Primary source document with questions dbqs the decision. One can give their students practice dbq for either world or american history. Items included are a lesson plan, standards, discussion guiding questions, 7 primary sources, and a closure. A nation faces conflict, 19391960 dropping the bomb.
Accounts of the american justification for dropping a second bomb in nagasaki. The decision to drop the atomic bomb on hiroshima and. Hiroshima and nagasaki dropping the bomb saved lives dropping the atomic bombs on japan saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of u. The dropping of the atomic bombs on hiroshima august 6, 1945 and nagasaki august 9, 1945 remains. With the dropping of the atomic bomb on the japanese cities of hiroshima and nagasaki, the japanese surrendered signaling the end of wwii. For decades historians have debated the morality and necessity of the atomic bombings of hiroshima and nagasaki.
The atomic bomb is the subject of much controversy. The decision to drop the atomic bomb 1988 dbq introduction. Evaluate this statement using the documents and your knowledge of the military and diplo. The principal political, social, and military objective of the united states in the summer of 1945 was the prompt and complete surrender of japan. By august 1945, nazi germany had surrendered and japans empire in the pacific had been smashed. The united states decision to drop an atomic bomb on hiroshima was a diplomatic measurg. On the morning of august 6, 1945, the american b29 enola gay dropped an atomic bomb on the japanese city of hiroshima. There were major influences and side effects from the dropping of the atomic bomb and what it did to the country of japan. The decision to drop the atomic bomb on japan is a controversial topic and has. These two cataclysmic events have preyed upon the american conscience ever since.
Then, students are asked to write an argumentative essay on whether the us should have dropped the bombs on japan or not. Historians, however, are still debating whether the dropping of the atomic bomb was necessary to end the war quickly. Truman to use atomic weapons on japan, the lone remaining axis power at the conclusion of world war ii. Atomic bomb dbq in august of 1945, the united states launched two atomic bombs on japan. The effects of the atomic bomb on hiroshima and nagasaki duration. Decision to drop the bomb new visions social studies. Arnold, commander of the american army air force in wwii. On august 6, 1945, a b29 bomber named enola gay dropped an atomic bomb, on hiroshima, japan. Why did admiral leahy think the use of the atomic bomb on hiroshima and nagasaki was ethically wrong. Americas executive decision to use the atomic bomb on japan was done for the sole reason of ensuring our power over the soviet union, and japans surrender was a mere sideeffect of the bombing.
Documentbased question the atomic bombing of hiroshima. On the clear morning of august 6, the first atomic bomb, nicknamed one of the most controversial turning points in history was the decision made by u. Students listen to instructions on dbq and go through documents. Should the united states have dropped the atomic bomb on hiroshima and nagasaki. On the 6th of august 1945, the us dropped an atomic bomb on the japanese city of hiroshima,1ushering in the nuclear age.
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