Nuclear Weapons

Manhattan Project

• Albert Einstein

• Fears about Germany’s

Bomb

Manhattan Project• Groves and Oppenheimer + $2billion

• VE-Day Before

Bomb Finished

Reasons FOR Dropping the Bomb on Japan

• Japanese demonstrated they would fight until the last man (Okinawa, Tokyo Fire Bombing, Saipan)

• Can’t waste bomb over unpopulated area because only 2 available

• Invasion of Japan likely to lead to casualties on both sides greater than deaths at Hiroshima and Nagasaki

• Use of the bomb convinced the world of its horror and prevented future use

• Impressed the Soviet Union and halted the war quickly enough to save Japan from joint occupation

Reasons AGAINST Dropping the Bomb

• Japan ready to quit anyway—60% of cities destroyed, Islands blockaded by US Navy

• US insistence on unconditional surrender prolonged war (Japanese wanted to keep emperor)

• Demonstration explosion would have brought peace without killing many

• Bomb only used to justify expense of program• Cities bombed had limited military value

(Hiroshima had 6 civilians for ever 1 soldier)• Bomb only used to scare Soviet Union• Even if 2nd bomb WAS necessary—US didn’t

give enough time between bombs to for word to get out

Trinity Test

“Fat Man”

“Little Boy”

Hiroshima

Nagasaki