The United States decision The United States decision to drop Atomic Weapons on to drop Atomic Weapons on

Japan - 1945Japan - 1945

The Manhattan Project:The Manhattan Project:

Background and ContextBackground and Context

The Assumption of UseThe Assumption of Use

►The Manhattan Project, costing nearly The Manhattan Project, costing nearly $2 billion had been kept secret from $2 billion had been kept secret from most cabinet members and nearly all most cabinet members and nearly all of Congress.of Congress.

►The necessary appropriations were The necessary appropriations were hidden in the War Department budget.hidden in the War Department budget.

Picking TargetsPicking Targets

►Good targets were not plentiful.Good targets were not plentiful.►The Air Force was systematically The Air Force was systematically

bombing out most major Japanese cities.bombing out most major Japanese cities.►The Air Force command chose 3 cities as The Air Force command chose 3 cities as

their targets and decided to aim for the their targets and decided to aim for the center of each city.center of each city.

► It was ordered that these 3 cities would It was ordered that these 3 cities would be removed from the regular bombing be removed from the regular bombing list , preserving them for the A-bomb.list , preserving them for the A-bomb.

a world audiencea world audience

► The awesome power of the bomb was The awesome power of the bomb was to have 2 effects;to have 2 effects; Force Japan to surrender or face total Force Japan to surrender or face total

destruction destruction Impress other nations (Most notably the Impress other nations (Most notably the

USSR) with America’s power and military USSR) with America’s power and military dominance of the Post WW2 worlddominance of the Post WW2 world

Truman's advisors were already Truman's advisors were already anticipating the Cold Waranticipating the Cold War

Total WarTotal War

► The official press releases identified The official press releases identified Hiroshima and Nagasaki as “purely Hiroshima and Nagasaki as “purely military” targets.military” targets.

► The impression given to the American The impression given to the American people was that civilians were not people was that civilians were not being targeted.being targeted.

► However, just the opposite was true.However, just the opposite was true.

Connections Connections ► internment of Japanese-Americans internment of Japanese-Americans

((Korematsu v. United States)Korematsu v. United States)► post WW2 COLD WAR and the arms race post WW2 COLD WAR and the arms race

between USSR and USAbetween USSR and USA► WW2 era unquestioning belief in authority WW2 era unquestioning belief in authority

figures (which will disappear in the figures (which will disappear in the 1960’s)1960’s)

► constitutional issues – War Powers Act will constitutional issues – War Powers Act will later limit the power of the President to later limit the power of the President to wage war without Congressional consent.wage war without Congressional consent.

2 tasks for the class:2 tasks for the class:

► Today: Each group should arrive at a Today: Each group should arrive at a conclusion as to what will be conclusion as to what will be recommended immediately regarding recommended immediately regarding the A-bomb usage.the A-bomb usage. Demonstration explosion?Demonstration explosion? Warning issued?Warning issued? Other possiblities…….Other possiblities…….

2 tasks for the class:2 tasks for the class:

► Tomorrow: Discuss and come to Tomorrow: Discuss and come to conclusions on broader issues listed conclusions on broader issues listed below.below. Moral issue of waging war on civilians.Moral issue of waging war on civilians. Responsibility of those who have special Responsibility of those who have special

knowledge to use this in an ethical way.knowledge to use this in an ethical way. Appropriate role of the U.S. in the post Appropriate role of the U.S. in the post

WW2 worldWW2 world You should THINK of others………………..You should THINK of others………………..