1. Was the U.S. justified in dropping the atomic bomb on Japan?
Dropping the Bomb
Was the U.S. justified in dropping the atomic bomb on Japan?

2. Essay Paragraph 1: Intro Paragraph 2: Background Paragraph 3: Options
Paragraph 4: What we did
Paragraph 5: Conclusion, what option should we have taken?

3. Background Began in October 1939.
FDR learned of potential from Einstein.
Manhattan Project December 1942

4. Background Truman’s decision
April 1945 committee to discuss options on detonation
Conclusion: no acceptable alternative to direct military use.
3 bombs

5. The Options Option 1: Pick 3 targets
Option 2: Secretly test 1 bomb and pick 2 targets
Option 3: Invite Japanese officials to witness test and pick 2 targets
Which option did we choose?
Why not the other 2?

6. What we did
July 16, first nuclear test at Trinity Test Site near Alamogordo, New Mexico
It was a success.

7. What we did
July 26, 1945, Japan rejected a final ultimatum for an unconditional surrender
August 6, “Little Boy” was dropped on Hiroshima.
Over 70,000 people killed, only one third were military
Asked to surrender, dismissed as propaganda

8. What we did August 9, “Fat Man” was dropped on Nagasaki.
Again more than 70,000 people killed
August 14, Japan surrendered unconditionally

9. Casualties Battle of Tarawa 17 Japanese captured
Over 5,000 Japanese troops died
U.S. lost over 1,000

10. Casualties
Iwo Jima
21,000 Japanese troops were ordered to fight to the death
U.S. forces lost 25,851 Marines

11. Casualties
Okinawa
Japan lost over 107,000 military and civilian personnel
U.S. lost over 20,000 troops

12. Japanese Mainland Japan still had over 1 million soldiers
3,000 Kamikaze aircraft
5,000 suicide boats
Civilians were also prepared to fight to the death

13. Japanese Mainland Operation Downfall Mainland invasion of Japan
Scheduled for November 1, 1945
Taking one of the 4 main islands would cost 75,000 to 100,000 U.S. troops
FDR tried to persuade the USSR to enter the war against Japan.

14. Japanese Mainland Japan was ready to surrender
Japan didn’t want the USSR to have any part in the peace process
Truman was not Completely informed
Japan was short on vital supplies and faced mass starvation
Most major Japanese cities were destroyed

15. Japanese Mainland
General Eisenhower, “It wasn’t necessary to hit them with that awful thing.”
General LeMay, “The war would have been over in two weeks…The atomic bomb had nothing to do with the end of the war at all.”
Admiral Nimitz, “The Japanese had, in fact, already sued for peace…The atomic bomb played no decisive part, from a purely military standpoint, in the defeat of Japan.”

16. On a side note
Although the available evidence is not as yet absolutely conclusive, impressing the Soviets also appears to have been a factor.

17. Discussion Questions
What were the reasons for dropping atomic weapons on Japan?

18. Discussion Questions
What were the reasons against dropping atomic weapons on Japan?

19. Discussion Questions
Should the U.S. have dropped atomic weapons on Japan?
Why?