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Decision to Drop the Bomb

Decision to Drop the Bomb. The Manhattan Project. Einstein writes Roosevelt in 1939. Roosevelt establishes the Manhattan Project . J. Robert Oppenheimer in charge of the project. One of the greatest engineering undertakings of all time.

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Decision to Drop the Bomb

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  1. Decision to Drop the Bomb

  2. The Manhattan Project • Einstein writes Roosevelt in 1939. • Roosevelt establishes the Manhattan Project. • J. Robert Oppenheimer in charge of the project. • One of the greatest engineering undertakings of all time. • 37 installations, 120,000 workers, $2 billion. All kept secret.

  3. July 16, 1945 in Alamogordo, New Mexico scientists detonate the first atomic bomb. Shatters windows 125 miles away. “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.” The Manhattan Project

  4. Options • Drop the bomb. • Invasion of Japan. • Naval blockade and bombing of Japan. • Demonstration of the bomb. • Soften stance on “unconditional surrender”. • All possibilities debated in the “Interim Committee”. • Writing Assignment – Pro’s and Con’s of each and which option would you choose.

  5. Problems With the Options • Invasion – estimated up to 1 million American lives lost. (not even an option) • Naval blockade – prolong an already long war. • Demonstration – possible humiliation if the test fails. • Soften stance on “unconditional surrender” – Japan may stay powerful.

  6. Demonstrate a dramatic display of American power, especially to the Soviet Union. Revenge for Pearl Harbor. Other Possible Motivations http://nmhm.washingtondc.museum/assets/images/Baker1.jpg

  7. Truman recorded in his memoirs that he “regarded the bomb as a military weapon and never had any doubt that it should be used.” Harry S. Truman

  8. Churchill when speaking about the political and military leaders of the time says “The decision whether or not to use the atomic bomb to compel the surrender of Japan was never even an issue. There was unanimous, automatic, unquestioned agreement around our table. Winston Churchill

  9. The Bombs • August 6, 1945 “Little Boy” a uranium bomb is dropped on Hiroshima. • Killed 70,000 immediately and injured another 70,000. • August 9, 1945 “Fat Man” a plutonium bomb dropped on Nagasaki. • Killed 40,000, injured another 40,000. • Quote 684.

  10. August 14, 1945 Japanese leaders accept American terms of surrender. September 2, 1945 they officially surrender. End of the War http://www.prezcon.com/games/images/Victory_in_the_Pacific.jpg

  11. Activity • Do you think America should have dropped Atomic bombs on Japan to end the war? (Be ready to defend your answer, you must cite specific examples and facts we discussed today)

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