Transcript Document
AmericA’s Decision to Drop the Bomb Aim: Why did America drop atomic bombs on Japan? Development of the bomb • Manhattan Project - project by U.S., Great Britain and Canada to develop atomic bomb – Fear that Nazi Germany will develop an atomic bomb – Project employs over 130,000 people • Robert Oppenheimer scientific director of Manhattan Project • Only few top people know what they are working on The Decision to Drop the Bomb 1. Save American / Japanese Lives • Japanese have proven themselves to be “fanatical” 26,000 U.S casualties on Iwo Jima, Japanese fight to death Japanese citizens told by gov’t to defend home islands with their lives • • Invasion of Japan will cost thousands / millions of lives “lesser of two evils” Over 100,000 dead in Tokyo and 50% of city destroyed with CONVENTIONAL bombing 2. End the war Quicker • • Japanese government divided about surrender Bomb may convince the fanatics 3. Soviet Concerns • • U.S. wish to end the war before Soviets invade Japan U.S. wants to show power of bomb to USSR / world 4. Cost of Manhattan Project • $2,000,000,000 spent to develop the bomb - must be used The Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Hiroshima • August 6th 1945 Enola Gay drops a single atomic bomb – 140,000 killed – 90% of Hiroshima destroyed Nagasaki • August 9th – 70, 000 people killed Surrender of Japan August 9th, following the atomic bombing of Nagasaki Military leaders still insist on conditional surrender • Emperor Disagrees… Moreover, the enemy has begun to employ a new and most cruel bomb, the power of which to do damage is, indeed, incalculable, taking the toll of many innocent lives. Should We continue to fight, not only would it result in an ultimate collapse and obliteration of the Japanese nation, but also it would lead to the total extinction of human civilization.Such being the case,how are We to save the millions of Our subjects, or to atone Ourselves before the hallowed spirits of Our Imperial Ancestors? This is the reason why We have ordered the acceptance of the provisions of the Joint Declaration of the Powers. - Emperor Hirohito August 12th 1945 Japan surrenders unconditionally