1. 17. Atomic Bomb
Germany, Japan, the Soviet Union, and the United States race to develop an atomic bomb.
August 1939

2. Manhattan Project Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.
17. Atomic Bomb
Manhattan Project
Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.
Robert Oppenheimer
Scientific Director of the Manhattan Project
Robert Oppenheimer
Gen. Leslie Groves
Manhattan Project leaders inspect the ruins of the tower from which the first atomic bomb test was conducted, July 16, 1945, in New Mexico.

3. Japan Refused to Accept Unconditional Surrender
17. Atomic Bomb
Japan Refused to Accept Unconditional Surrender
Hirohito
Emperor
Hideki Tojo
Prime Minister

4. 17. Atomic Bomb
The use of the atomic bomb was considered by President Harry Truman to force Japanese surrender.
He feared that a more traditional invasion of Japan would result in the deaths of too many American soldiers.
Non-combatants were dying throughout Asia at the rate of 200,000 per month.
Invasion of Japan could cost America the lives of 500,000 more soldiers.

5. Russian Influences on the use of the Atomic Bomb
The US carefully considered the USSR in the development of the Atomic Bomb.
General Groves viewed the Soviet Union as one of America’s worst enemies.
Truman’s advisors convinced him that if the Atom bomb was used, it would keep the US’s enemy Russia at bay.
Joseph Stalin
Postwar uses for the Atomic bomb were often thought about throughout the development of the Manhattan Project. High ranking generals and advisors viewed the Soviet Union as the exact opposite of the United States. Truman’s lack of foreign policy made it easy for outside influences to dictate his final decisions. The US believed that as long as it was the only nation with the atom bomb, it could influence every country in the world. Therefore, the decision to drop the atomic bomb was made to show Russia and the world that the US is in control.
Harry Truman

6. Potsdam Declaration July 26, 1945
17. Atomic Bomb
Potsdam Declaration July 26, 1945
We-the President of the United States, the President of the National Government of the Republic of China, and the Prime Minister of Great Britain, representing the hundreds of millions of our countrymen, have conferred and agree that Japan shall be given an opportunity to end this war.
We call upon the government of Japan to proclaim now the unconditional surrender of all Japanese armed forces, and to provide proper and adequate assurances of their good faith in such action. The alternative for Japan is prompt and utter destruction.
The Potsdam Declaration took place on July 26, Don’t be confused with the Potsdam Agreement, because that was something very different. The Potsdam Declaration was made by Harry S. Truman, Winston Churchill, and Chiang Kai-Shek and it basically outlined surrender terms for Japan. The first point above refers to Japan’s chance to end the war. The last point gives Japan one last chance to surrender or face “prompt and utter destruction.” (atomic bomb)
PRIMARY SOURCE -

7. Boeing B-29 Superfortress
17. Atomic Bomb
Enola Gay
Boeing B-29 Superfortress

8. 17. Atomic Bomb
Hiroshima August 6, 1945

9. 17. Atomic Bomb
Kikue Komatsu was 37 when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. She witnessed this scene on the morning of August 7th, 1945, about 550 meters from ground zero. She was 67 when she drew the picture. The words written on the drawing explain:
While searching for my daughter, I came across a mountain of corpses in a street of carnage. People had evidently rushed to plunge their faces in the water of a cistern, where they died with their arms around each other, clinging to the side. How they must have screamed for water. My heart aches for them. I clasp my hands in prayer.
Kikue Komatsu (1975)

10. 17. Atomic Bomb
I'm proud that I was able to start with nothing, plan it, and have it work as perfectly as it did I sleep clearly every night.
1975
If you give me the same circumstances, I'd do it again.
2005
Paul Tibbets
Pilot

11. 17. Atomic Bomb
Nagasaki August 9, 1945

12. Scientific Director of the Manhattan Project
17. Atomic Bomb
Robert J. Oppenheimer
When you see something that is technically sweet, you go ahead and do it and you argue about what to do about it only after you have had your technical success. That is the way it was with the atomic bomb.
The atomic bomb made the prospect of future war unendurable. It has led us up those last few steps to the mountain pass; and beyond there is a different country.
Robert J. Oppenheimer (April 33, 1904-February 19, 1967) was the director of the atomic bomb project in Los Alamos, New Mexico. His quote above. It shows irony and serves as a prelude to Harry Truman’s ultimate decision. He was known as the “father of the atomic bomb.” The picture of Oppenheimer gives the impression of “what have I done.” He seems bittersweet and at war with himself.
Quote from
Picture -
Scientific Director of the Manhattan Project

13. Debate Yes No Was it the right decision for the U.S.
17. Atomic Bomb
Debate
Was it the right decision for the U.S.
to drop atomic bombs on the Japanese cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
Yes No