What event from WWII does this show? How useful is this picture in debating today’s key question?
Which of these images tells us more about the effects of the atomic bomb?
Drawing by Sawami Katagiri
Photograph taken days after the Hiroshima bomb was dropped in August 1945
Was America right to use atomic bombs to end WWI? WWII in Colour LOs To identify arguments for and against the use of the atomic bombs To reach a judgement on whether the US was justified in using them
Why did the US decide to drop the bomb? Pacific war Pacific war Millions invested in development Millions invested in development Growing threat from USSR Growing threat from USSR Vengeance for torture & suicide attacks Vengeance for torture & suicide attacks
What happened when the bomb was dropped? 6 August 1945 Enola Gay dropped atomic bomb on Hiroshima 70,000 immediate deaths 200,000+ deaths radiation and fall out 9 August, Nagasaki 40,000 deaths 14 August Japan surrenders museum.org/welcome.htm museum.org/welcome.htm
What did the bombs look like? ‘Little Boy’ Uranium, Hiroshima ‘Fat Man’, Plutonium, Nagasaki
How powerful were they? ‘Fat Boy’ blast equivalent to 20,000 tons of explosives detonated at once ‘Fat Boy’ blast equivalent to 20,000 tons of explosives detonated at once Strong winds from blast destroyed all buildings within a 1.5 mile radius Strong winds from blast destroyed all buildings within a 1.5 mile radius Heat generated incinerated everything in its path Heat generated incinerated everything in its path
What was the impact?
Your task Study the sources from, ‘The Twentieth Century: A World Study’ (p.50-1). Gather evidence that Truman’s motives were acceptable and that is motives were questionable. Write a judgement, using 2 pieces of evidence to support your answer Which piece of evidence most helped you reach a decision? Explain your answer. Harry S Truman, US President who approved the use of atomic bombs in 1945
This house believes that the dropping of atomic bombs on Japan was a necessary evil to end WWII
Extension Read the account of the bombing of Hiroshima by Kyoko Iwanaga on the BBC website. Summarise her story and explain whether her testimony has changed your view from today’s lesson. Read the account of the bombing of Hiroshima by Kyoko Iwanaga on the BBC website. Summarise her story and explain whether her testimony has changed your view from today’s lesson. day/hi/witness/august/9/new sid_ / stm day/hi/witness/august/9/new sid_ / stm day/hi/witness/august/9/new sid_ / stm day/hi/witness/august/9/new sid_ / stm Watch frozen in time
Homework Imagine you are President Truman. Write a letter to the people of Japan explaining your decision to use the atomic bomb. You must: Imagine you are President Truman. Write a letter to the people of Japan explaining your decision to use the atomic bomb. You must: Provide reasons why you think it was necessary Provide reasons why you think it was necessary Respond to criticisms people have made Respond to criticisms people have made Express how you hope event will be a force for good in the future Express how you hope event will be a force for good in the future
Plenary Plenary What can you remember about the destructive power of the Bomb? What can you remember about the destructive power of the Bomb? 3 reasons for using it on Japan 3 reasons for using it on Japan 3 criticisms made about Truman 3 criticisms made about Truman Your judgement? Your judgement? How might nuclear weapons have made the world a safer place? How might nuclear weapons have made the world a safer place?