When Allied Powers leaders met in Potsdam, Germany to discuss the end of the war in Europe, the Empire of Japan had not yet surrendered.
While attending the conference, U.S. President Truman received word that the atomic bomb had been successfully tested.
The Allied powers issued Japan an ultimatum in what is now called the Potsdam Declaration: “We call upon the government of Japan to proclaim now the unconditional surrender of all Japanese armed forces…” If not, “the alternative for Japan is prompt and utter destruction.”
Japan ignored the ultimatum. The war continued. . .
Churchill, Truman, & Stalin at Potsdam
What new technology might the Allies be hinting at here?
Watch the video and answer the questions.
What were 8 different immediate and long term effects of the atomic bomb? List specifics:
How many people were killed immediately in Hiroshima? In Nagasaki?
This is a 360° video. If you use your phone to view it, you can turn and move in any direction. If you use your computer, you will have to click and drag to move. Use full screen mode to view this video.
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Dear Mr. President Truman,
Though the war in Europe has come to an end, the Empire of Japan refuses to surrender.
To end the war, you have 2 options:
This comes with a major cost in lives for Allied troops, but also for Japanese civilians. We project around 1 million casualties. This may even prolong the war as Japan may not surrender readily.
This bomb, while incredibly destructive, if used, will save Allied troops lives as no invasion will be necessary. The long term results of the bomb are unknown, but the bomb will decimate a major city and kill upwards of 50,000 people immediately.
The decision is yours alone to make.
Watch the video and answer the questions.
Why did Truman decide to use the atomic bomb against Japan?
What 2 Japanese cities were destroyed by the atomic bombs?
List 5 other facts/ideas from the video:
Hibakusha is the Japanese term for a survivor of either of the atomic explosions at Hiroshima or Nagasaki in 1945. Learn more about their experiences by first watching the video from Smithsonian, then read one first hand account of your choice. Complete the chart below. You can bullet point, but include detail.
Whose story did you read? What is their point of view about the use of the bomb? | How did the atomic bomb affect this person? Include at least 2 facts from the reading. | What do you think is the purpose of this message? What is your emotional response? | What information or point of views might be missing from this account? | What questions do I have before, during, and after I read? |
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You’ll have to click and go to the website to watch the video.
You can bullet point.
Was it necessary to use the atomic bomb on Japan?
Once the world realized the destructive power of the atomic bomb and the long term impacts of radioactivity, many began to question whether it was necessary for the U.S. to have dropped 2 bombs.
Click here to read an article in which the 2 sides of the debate are illustrated.
Then, using facts from the article and facts from the video and hibakusha accounts, fill out the chart.
YES, it was necessary to use the atomic bomb Evidence & Arguments | NO, it was not necessary to use the atomic bomb Evidence & Arguments |
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What do you think, was it necessary to use the atomic bomb on Japan?
A: Argument | R: Reason “Because…” | E: Evidence “For example. . .” |
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Fill out the chart below with your argument, reasoning, and use evidence to support your argument.
Directions: Watch this animated data-driven documentary about war & peace. The Fallen of World War II looks at the human cost of the war & compares the numbers to other wars in history, including trends in recent conflicts. After you watch, go on to the next slide for further directions.
TIC-TAC-TOE
Choose and answer any 3 questions in a row - horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.
Who created this video and what might be the purpose of this video? | Poland lost the highest percentage of its citizenry during WWII. What percentage died? How are they also part of the Holocaust? | This is a video and it uses visual representations. How does that impact the message? How might the impact be different if this were a podcast or an article? |
As you watch, what questions do you have about the information in the video and how the video was made? (include at least 2) | How many Jewish people were killed during the Holocaust? What other groups, including totals, were killed as part of the Holocaust? Include totals. | What makes this video a reliable source of information? Besides bias, what make this video a less reliable source of information? |
Which country, including totals, lost the most people (citizens/non-combatants and soldiers) overall during WWII? How many? Why do you think that was? | What is your emotional response to the video? How might different people respond differently to the video? | How many total people (soldiers and civilians) were killed during WWII? How does the death toll in WWII compared to previous wars in history? |
What were the Nuremberg Trials? Why were they held?
What were the 3 crimes defendants could be charged with?
Why are the Nuremberg Trials important? Think about the impact they’ve had over time.
In 1945 and 1946, Nazi war criminals were forced to account for their depraved actions in the city of Nuremberg, Germany. Watch the video below and answer the questions.
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Dear Mr. President Truman,
The war has finally come to an end in both the Pacific and in Europe. Allied forces led by the U.S. will occupy Japan to help it rebuild and develop a new government. The Soviet Union will have little control in Japan.
However, the Soviet Union holds a significant influence in Germany. Germany has been divided between the Allied Powers (see map) in an effort to help rebuild, but the Soviet Union remains antagonistic towards the U.S.
It looks as though a stand off between the U.S. and the Soviet Union will occur. . .