Dropping the Atomic Bomb

Additionally, you are to read War in Pacific. It is .pdf file I've shared with you in your WWII file folder. After reading the three pages and studying the sources, answer the following questions and post them to your blog. These are due on Monday.
Title: Dropping the Atomic Bomb Labels: atomic_bomb, Manhattan_Project, Truman, Japan, WWII, Pacific_War


1. What factors have affected viewpoints on Truman's decision?
Many at the time agreed with Truman's decision to drop the bomb because there would be no bloody invasion of Japan and save American lives. No country could recover from the impact of it. However some disagreed because they felt that the bomb was unnecessary to win the war. The bomb would also have far reaching consequences. Because Truman was an anti-communist, some also felt that he dropped the bomb just to scare the Soviets.

2. Do you think he made the right decision? Give your reasons.
I think that looking at it from a historical it is harder to agree with Truman's decision. There is a good chance that the Allies could have won in the Pacific even without the bomb, however this would have been very bloody and many American soldiers would have died. Also this marked the beginning of the nuclear age and nuclear weapons cause damage that has effects far in the future besides being immensely destructive immediately. However, if I were an American during the war I think that I would support Truman's decision. It would have guaranteed Japan's defeat and spared American troops the invasion.

War in the Pacific

Read Chapter 25-3, The War in the Pacific (Stop at the end of page 790) and answer the following questions. These are due at the beginning of class Friday. Title: War in the Pacific Labels: Atomic_Bomb, Truman, Pacific_War, Japan, MacArthur, Battle_of_Midway, Manhattan_Project, Iwo_Jima.

1. What was the importance of the Battle of Midway?
It was a turning point in the Pacific war, soon et Allies began "island Hopping" toward Japan.

2. What strategy did the United States adopt in fighting Japan?
The US adopted an offensive strategy, jumping from island to island and regaining territory until they reached Japan.

3. Why did the Japanese fight so hard on Iwo Jima?
This island would enable the US to drop bombs on Japan now.

4. Why did the Allies believe Okinawa was a foretaste of an invasion of Japan?
This was the only island that stood between the US and invading japan. Only 200 Japanese survived and the Allies felt this would be just as bad or worse when Japan itself was invaded.

5. What was the Manhattan Project?
The Manhattan Project was the development of the atomic bomb, it was led by J. Robert Oppenheimer.At its peak more than 600,000 Americans we involved but few knew its true mission.

6. Ultimately, why did President Truman decide to drop atomic bombs on Japan?
Truman chose to do this to bring the war to an end and because the Japanese refused to surrender.