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Dropping the Atomic Bomb. SWBAT: compare and contrast reasons for dropping (or not dropping) the Atomic Bomb. Homework: None Do Now: Was it easy or hard to pick a side and defend it in your essay?. Group Work. You will be put into groups of both viewpoints.
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Dropping the Atomic Bomb SWBAT: compare and contrast reasons for dropping (or not dropping) the Atomic Bomb. Homework: None Do Now: Was it easy or hard to pick a side and defend it in your essay?
Group Work • You will be put into groups of both viewpoints. • Designate a leader, recorder, a speaker, and task manager. • Leader will ask the questions and facilitate discussion. • Recorder will write down the group’s answers. • Speaker will speak for the group when called upon. • Task manager will make sure all the questions will be answered in the time allotted.
Group Discussion Questions • In your group discuss the following questions: • What were the strongest arguments for dropping the bomb? • What were the strongest arguments for not dropping the bomb? • Does your group feel it was necessary to drop the second bomb? (the first was dropped Aug. 6 the second Aug. 9). • Why do you think the US chose not to demonstrate the bomb before using it? • It’s July, 1945 and you are Truman. Your options to end the war are: • A. use diplomacy (negotiation, ambassadors, making compromises, etc.) to end the war • B. invade Japan with Allied troops • C. continue to block imports and exports while bombing Japan • D. drop the bomb • What would your group decide to do? Why? • Take ten minutes and be prepared to discuss this with the class.
Whole Group Discussion • Are there rules of war? How are they determined? What if they are not followed? • Was three days too short a time to get the Japanese to surrender? (We dropped the bomb on Hiroshima on Aug. 6 and Nagasaki Aug. 9) • Did the atrocities and intensity of conflict all around in WWII justify dropping the bomb? • What about the argument that we saved lives by dropping those bombs? • Is it fair to judge the bombs in hindsight, in the midst of the worst war ever when our military and civilian leaders have limited resources and limited options in a tight time frame?
Let’s look at some pictures… • Do these pictures change your perception of whether the it was the right choice to drop the bomb?