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?
A factor that affected the viewpoints on trumans decision is that he was hearing that Japan was not going to give up and they would fight to the death. So truman decided that the use of the bomb would have to be like anyother weapon used in the war, quick and unexpected. Another factor is that during the testing of the bomb, scientists found that no country could recover from a bomb with this power. Truman felt that the bomb would be the best way to end the war with as little american casualties as possible.


2. Do you think he made the right decision? Give your reasons.
My opionion on this matter is very split. I think that Truman had good intentions with dropping the bomb on japan. In fact many good things came out of this esspecially that it ended the war and saved alot of american lives. But then again was it worth killing all of the innocent lives to end a war. Some argue the immorality of it all and to an extent i agree but the bomb was necassary.

The 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?
Its importance was that it was a turning point in the Pacific War and WWII for america. America was deffinatley the most prepared in this battle and caught the japanese with their boats on the deck. They destroyed air craft carriers and planes. Japanese officials even said the it avenged pearl harbor.

2. What strategy did the United States adopt in fighting Japan?
They began island hopping taking each island as they moved towards japan.

3. Why did the Japanese fight so hard on Iwo Jima?
The japanese had so many troops on Iwo Jima that the americans had to fight hard. Also if they took Iwo Jima they would only have to take Okinawa in order to bomb japan.

4. Why did the Allies believe Okinawa was a foretaste of an invasion of Japan?
This battle cost thousands of american lives and was long and tough. This allowed us to realize that in order to invade japan more lives would be lost and more time needed.

5. What was the Manhattan Project?
The creation of the atomic bomb led by General Leslie Groves and by American Scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer.

6. Ultimately, why did President Truman decide to drop atomic bombs on Japan?
He felt that it was the only way to end the war. He gave japan the chance to surrender and when they didnt he dropped the bomb.