IB History of the Americas
Atomic Bomb Research Chart
You will be compiling essential factual evidence on the two bombings; then, you will compile information
on the eternal debate (both historical and historiographical) on whether the atomic bombs should have
been used. Be sure that you have solid information for BOTH sides of the debate.
Evidence (Names, Dates, Casualties, Bomb Effects, Other Results etc.)
CONTEXT:
- In May 1945, war ended in Europe but still continued in Japan (Japanese war mentality). At Yalta,
Roosevelt allowed Stalin to get what he wanted for the security that the USSR would enter the war
against Japan 90 days after victory in Europe. Soon, complications arose with the death of
Roosevelt and the defeat of Nazi Germany.
● The Manhattan Project: Goal was for the US to develop a nuclear weapon before the Axis
● Technology was through splitting an atom- uranium- which results in a large amount of energy
equivalent to 18000 tons of TNT.
● Roosevelt formed the National Defense Research Committee to explore the potential of nuclear
fission. Began development of weapons in 1942.
● Took around 120000 Americans involved in its production, but only a few who actually
understood what it was
● Dr. Oppenheimer placed as the head of the Project Y, and after two years of testing on Los Alamos
Ranch School site, they began detonation trial on Trinity, in southern New Mexico
● United States had only 2 bombs at hand
● Manhattan Project came to fruition on July 16th, and in less than a month was used in the
bombings
Potsdam Conference- big three powers meet to discuss distribution of Germany
- Truman informed Stalin of the atom bomb detonation, but Stalin already knew through spies and
was able to stand his ground in negotiations
- Potsdam declaration drafted- threatened Japan with “utter destruction” unless they agreed to
immediate unconditional surrender
- Japan didn’t agree to the unconditional surrender terms laid out in the Potsdam Declaration
Truman’s options
- show the force of power of the nuclear weapons on an uninhabited area
- Ground invasion of Japan
- continuing bombing japanese cities
- Use the nuclear weapon
- wait for soviets to continue their invasion of Manchuria
- rescind the unconditional surrender and retained Emperor Hirohito
Hiroshima
● The day after the successful detonation, July 17th, was the Potsdam conference with Truman,
churchill, and Stalin
● Truman had just become president when he heard about trinity
● The original plan until July 16, 1945, was a land invasion starting on the Japanese island, Kyushu,
Atomic Bomb Research Chart
You will be compiling essential factual evidence on the two bombings; then, you will compile information
on the eternal debate (both historical and historiographical) on whether the atomic bombs should have
been used. Be sure that you have solid information for BOTH sides of the debate.
Evidence (Names, Dates, Casualties, Bomb Effects, Other Results etc.)
CONTEXT:
- In May 1945, war ended in Europe but still continued in Japan (Japanese war mentality). At Yalta,
Roosevelt allowed Stalin to get what he wanted for the security that the USSR would enter the war
against Japan 90 days after victory in Europe. Soon, complications arose with the death of
Roosevelt and the defeat of Nazi Germany.
● The Manhattan Project: Goal was for the US to develop a nuclear weapon before the Axis
● Technology was through splitting an atom- uranium- which results in a large amount of energy
equivalent to 18000 tons of TNT.
● Roosevelt formed the National Defense Research Committee to explore the potential of nuclear
fission. Began development of weapons in 1942.
● Took around 120000 Americans involved in its production, but only a few who actually
understood what it was
● Dr. Oppenheimer placed as the head of the Project Y, and after two years of testing on Los Alamos
Ranch School site, they began detonation trial on Trinity, in southern New Mexico
● United States had only 2 bombs at hand
● Manhattan Project came to fruition on July 16th, and in less than a month was used in the
bombings
Potsdam Conference- big three powers meet to discuss distribution of Germany
- Truman informed Stalin of the atom bomb detonation, but Stalin already knew through spies and
was able to stand his ground in negotiations
- Potsdam declaration drafted- threatened Japan with “utter destruction” unless they agreed to
immediate unconditional surrender
- Japan didn’t agree to the unconditional surrender terms laid out in the Potsdam Declaration
Truman’s options
- show the force of power of the nuclear weapons on an uninhabited area
- Ground invasion of Japan
- continuing bombing japanese cities
- Use the nuclear weapon
- wait for soviets to continue their invasion of Manchuria
- rescind the unconditional surrender and retained Emperor Hirohito
Hiroshima
● The day after the successful detonation, July 17th, was the Potsdam conference with Truman,
churchill, and Stalin
● Truman had just become president when he heard about trinity
● The original plan until July 16, 1945, was a land invasion starting on the Japanese island, Kyushu,
