Transcript Hiroshima & Nagasaki Atomic Bombs

• Canadian involvement in
Asia during the Second
World War consisted
primarily of participation
by the Royal Canadian Air
Force (RCAF).
• Although a few Canadians
did serve in Royal Navy
ships, no units of the
Royal Canadian Navy
(RCN) served in this area.
War with Japan
• December 7th, 1941 – Japan attacks the US at Pearl Harbor.
• December 25th, 1941 – Japan captures Hong Kong
• 1942 - Battle of Midway – US inflicts a huge naval defeat on
Japan, and the U.S. begins Island Hopping (Leap-Frogging)
towards Japan
• Manhattan Project – Top Secret plan to build an atomic bomb by
the United States, Britain and Canada (Canada became aware in
1942)
• July 16th, 1945 – U.S. scientists succeed in testing the 1st atomic
bomb (Canadian uranium is used to build atomic bombs)
Battle of Midway
The End of the Pacific War
• As millions of people celebrated Victory-in-Europe (V-E)
Day, the Allied leaders grimly prepared for the final
struggle in the Pacific, where the full weight of the Allied
Forces would now be applied against Japan. Canada,
too, prepared for the assault.
• Nearly 80,000 Canadians volunteered to join the Pacific
forces and began concentrating at nine stations across
Canada in July 1945.
• Canadian naval participation was also to have been
impressive: 60 ships, manned by 13,500 men.
• However, the war was over before this help was needed.
President Truman of the United States had made the
fateful decision to use the atomic bomb.
Operation Downfall
• The Canadian 6th Division had been
formed and was training to take part in the
proposed invasion of Japan.
• Canadian ships in the British Pacific Fleet
and bomber squadrons transferred from
Europe would also have been involved.
• The invasion was rendered unnecessary
by the use of nuclear weapons against
Japan.
• August 6th, 1945 – U.S. B-29 bomber “Enola Gay” drops an atomic
bomb (Little Boy) on Hiroshima
– Between 90,000 to 166,000 people were killed instantly
(vaporized) or died by long-term (radiation poisoning)
• August 9th, 1945 – U.S. drops an atomic bomb (Fat Man) on
Nagasaki
– Between 60,000 to 80,000 people killed instantly and long-term
• August 15th, 1945 – V-J Day – Victory against Japan
– Ends WWII (Germany surrendered in Europe on May 7th, 1945)
• C.D. Howe, the Canadian Minister of Munitions and Supply was
quoted saying:
It is a distinct pleasure for me to announce that
Canadian scientists have played an intimate part, and
have been associated in an effective way with this
great scientific development.
Hiroshima & Nagasaki Atomic Bombs
•More people actually died in the fire bombing
of Japanese cities before the atomic bombs.
Before & After Hiroshima bombing
Hiroshima
Hiroshima – August 6th, 1945
Nagasaki – August 9th, 1945
Hiroshima Peace Park today
Questions to think about
1. Was the decision to test an
atomic bomb without knowing
what the outcome could be, a
wise decision?
2. Was the dropping of the
atomic bomb on Hiroshima
a wise decision?
3. After the destruction of
Hiroshima, was the dropping
of a second atomic bomb on
Nagasaki necessary?
4. Was the creation of the
atomic bomb beneficial on a
global standpoint?
(Think past World War Two)