1. The Attack on Japan

2. A New Weapon on the Horizon
At the start of World War II in 1939 the atomic bomb had not yet been invented.
-However, scientists discovered about that time that a powerful explosion might be possible by splitting an atom.
-This type of bomb could destroy large cities in a single blast and would change warfare forever.

3. A New Weapon continued
Albert Einstein came up with many of the theories that helped scientists in making the atomic bomb.
When he realized that such a bomb could be made, he was frightened about what might happen if Hitler and Germany learned how to make the bomb first.
He wrote a letter to US President Franklin Roosevelt telling him about the atom bomb. As a result, Roosevelt set up the Manhattan Project.
Read excerpt of letter written by Einstein

4. The Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project was the name for the research and development program for the atomic bomb.
It started small, but as the bomb became more real, the United States added scientists and funding to be sure they were the first to have the bomb. Ironically, many of the scientists involved in making the bomb had defected
from Germany.
By the end of the project, funding had reached $2 billion and there were around 200,000 people working on the project.

5. The Manhattan Project
On July 16, 1945 the first atomic bomb was exploded in the New Mexico desert. The explosion was massive and the equivalent to 18,000 tons of TNT. Scientists figured that the temperature at the center of the explosion was three times hotter than at the center of the sun.
Although the scientists were happy they had successfully made the bomb, they also were sad and fearful. This bomb would change the world and could cause mass destruction and death. When President Harry Truman heard of the bomb's success he wrote "We have discovered the most terrible bomb in the history of the world".
Play video

6. The Ultimatum
After Germany’s surrender the U.S issued an ultimatum to Japan stating that they surrender as well or “be faced with prompt and utter destruction"....
President Truman's Warning
Two nuclear weapons developed by the Manhattan Project were deployed.
-Little Boy was dropped on the city of Hiroshima on 6 August 1945
-Fat Man over Nagasaki on 9 August.

7. Well Japan did not surrender
Two nuclear weapons developed by the Manhattan Project were deployed.
On August 6th, 1945
Little Boy was dropped on the city of Hiroshima
Still nothing from Japan
Three days later on August 9th, 1945
Fat Man over Nagasaki

8. Bomb Simulation: Hiroshima
Visit:
Set Hiroshima as your first target.
Set “Little Boy”- Hiroshima bomb as your nuclear weapon.
Click detonate.
What do the different colors represent?
How many square miles were affected?
About where would you suffer the least?

9. Bomb Simulation: Nagasaki
Set Nagasaki as your second target.
Set “Fat Man”- Nagasaki bomb as your nuclear weapon.
Click detonate.
What do the different colors represent?
How many square miles were affected?
About where would you suffer the least?

10. Read the excerpt from President Truman’s Memoirs explaining why the bombs were dropped
After your group has read, discuss the excerpt and respond to the questions

11. Consequences of the Bomb
166,000 people killed (roughly half of the deaths occurred on the first day)
People who died on the day of the explosion:
60% died from flash or flame burns
30% from falling debris
10% from other causes
During the following months, large numbers died from the effect of burns, radiation sickness, and other injuries, compounded by illness.
Read British News Article “Atomic Bomb Used on Japan”

12. Consequences of the Bomb
Read Poem “Hiroshima Child”:
As a group answer guided questions

13. Connections to Today
Nuclear warfare is within the realm of possibility today.
If we were to engage in nuclear warfare, which U.S. city could be a potential target?
Why this city?
Who might be dropping this bomb and why?
What kind of damage would occur here?
Select any preset bomb of your choice.
How does this bomb compare to the bombs used in Japan?

14. What can we abstract from the following data?