United States Uses Atomic Bombs in WWII

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

In 1945, the United States dropped two atomic bombs in an attempt to end World War II.

The first photograph shows the mushroom cloud that resulted from the second bomb being dropped over the city of Nagasaki, Japan. The ruins of the city of Nagasaki are shown in the second image.

Take a minute to write down everything you already know about the atomic bombs that were dropped in 1945.

As you learn more about the background and effects of these bombs, you will decide if the United States should continue to maintain atomic weapons.

When President Franklin D. Roosevelt died, his vice president of only four months, Harry Truman, assumed the presidency. The date was April 12, 1945.

FDR had served longer than anyone before or since — 12 years! The 22^nd amendment now guarantees that no president will be elected for more than two terms, which is eight years.

In May of 1945, Germany surrendered, and the United States and the Allies put all their energy into defeating the Japanese.

Unbeknownst to Truman, a secret project was underway to build an enormously destructive weapon. Read about The Manhattan Project.

While it is difficult in hindsight to judge President Truman's decision to drop the bombs, there are many arguments supporting and against his decision.

Begin to form your own opinions as you read Can nuclear war be morally justified? (Please be aware that there are images of badly injured people.)

Next, watch this dramatization and hear first-hand accounts of the dropping of the first bomb.

Learn more about the First Atomic Bombs with this infographic.

Now, read about some of the Destructive Effects of the bombs, starting with Energy and Radioactivity. Be sure to click Next at the bottom so you can read about Social Damages and Health Effects. (Please note that the Health Effects section contains images of people who have sustained serious burns.)

Review your initial list of everything you know about the dropping of the atomic bombs. Cross off anything incorrect and add as much new information as you can recall.

• What was most surprising to you?

It is now time to see what you have learned, so move on to the Got It? section.