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• The US was justified in dropping the two atomic bombs on Japan because it led to the eventual Japanese surrender, saved the lives of many American soldiers and scared off the Soviet Union. If the US had not dropped the bombs, Japan most likely would have gained even more power, the Soviet Union could have started a war with the US, countless American lives would have been lost, and the outcome of the war could have been very different.
• Although there were some prominent figures who opposed the dropping of the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki (i.e. Einstein and Eisenhower), it proved to be a necessary step towards ending the war. Einstein thought that the bomb should have been dropped on a nearby island so that the Japanese would be able to see the power of the bomb but we wouldn't have to kill as many innocent civilians. Roosevelt thought that this was too risky because the Japanese were so nationalistic and proud to die for their country that he thought that they needed to know that the U.S. was serious about their threat (a bomb would be dropped on a major city every three days until Japan surrendered). Considering the threat was a bluff and we really didn't have enough bombs to maintain it for very long, Roosevelt came to the conclusion that although many Japanese citizens would have to die, there was no other way to force their surrender. In addition to the necessity of a Japanese surrender, many Americans felt that they needed retribution for the Pearl Harbor attacks. Also, the Japanese were infamous for treating their prisoners horrifically: starving, raping, torturing them until their last breath. This plus a substantial amount of propaganda led many Americans to believe that the Japanese didn't deserve any mercy and that the United States was more than justified in dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 

History page 2

After "Fat Man" at Nagasaki.

Little Boy

Fat Man

• Towards the end of World War II, the Allies dropped two atomic bombs on Japan in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These are the only two times nuclear weapons have been used in a war. 
• After a firebombing campaign that destroyed many Japanese cities, the United States along with the United Kingdom and the Republic of China demanded the surrender of Japan in the Potsdam Declaration on July 26, 1945 under the threat of "prompt and utter destruction"
• Japan ignored the ultimatum, leading to the development of two nuclear weapons by the Manhattan Project
• The Manhattan Project was completed under the direction of Major General General Leslie Groves of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• On August 6, 1945, "Little Boy" was dropped on Hiroshima killing 90,000-166,000 people within the first two to four months of the bombing
• On August 9, 1945, "Fat Man" was dropped on Nagasaki killing 60,000-80,000 people within the first two to four months of the bombing
• About half the deaths in each city occurred on the day of the bombing 
• On August 15, 1945, Japan announced its surrender to the Allies, and signed the Instrument of Surrender on September 2, 1945, officially ending World War II

Evidence Page 3

After the bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, a treaty was made to end the war. This is a video of the signing of the Instrument of Surrender on September 2nd, 1945. It was signed by representatives from Japan and the United States on the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. This was celebrated throughout the world.

On August 6th, 1945 the first atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. It was the first nuclear weapon used in a war. The bomb that was dropped was called "Little Boy" from a B-29er named "Enola Gay." 50,000 Japanese died on the day of the dropping of the bomb and another died within the first two to four months.

This is the treaty that was signed on the USS Missouri on September 2nd. It signified the Japanese surrender. Representatives from Japan and the US were aboard the ship to sign the treaty. This was a momentous day throughout the world.

The Potsdam Declaration was the first call for Japanese surrender. In this declaration the US threatened "prompt and utter destruction" if Japan did not surrender. Japan ignored this ultimatum which lead to the dropping of the two atomic bombs. After the dropping of the bombs Japan realized that the threat wasn't a bluff and promptly surrendered.

On August 6th the first bomb was dropped and on August 9th the second bomb was dropped and Japan surrendered on August 15th. The official instrument of surrender was signed on September 2nd. This officially ended the war. This was the Waterloo Daily Courier newspaper announcing the end of the war, a date that was celebrated.

The Manhattan Project was a research and development program that developed the first atomic bomb. When Japan failed to surrender after the Potsdam Ultimatum, the US dropped "Little Boy" on Hiroshima. After the dropping of the first bomb, US demanded surrender again and Japan failed to reply. Three days later, the second atomic bomb, "Fat Man" was dropped on Nagasaki. The Japanese surrendered six days later.

Media Page 4

Dropping of the two atomic bombs on Japan.

Anti- Japanese propaganda.

December 7, 1941 in Pearl Harbor.

Hideki Tojo was the leader of Japan.

The death toll reached 2,402 and 1,282 were wounded at Pearl Harbor.

 Enola Gay was one of the B-29 bombers that dropped the atomic bomb.

August 6th bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

The atomic explosion at Nagasaki. 

Memorial of the USS Arizona.

The testing of the atomic bomb on July 16th in New Mexico.

Wartime propaganda to promote the defeat of the Japanese.

On August 14th Japanese surrendered unofficially.

Works Cited Page 5

• "Discovery Education Streaming." Discovery Education Streaming. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com
• "World War II." History.com. A&E Television Networks. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii
• "World War 2 Timeline 1939-1945 - Worldwar-2.net." World War 2 Timeline 1939-1945. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. http://www.worldwar-2.net/
• Wagner, Melissa, and Dan Bryant. The Big Book of World War II. New York City: Running Press Book Publishers, 2009. 

Who Done It? Page 6

Bryce was a writer of the Evidence page and Media page. He spent most of his time finding good pictures to support the thesis. He was up front and personal with all of the pictures and videos that were involved in the blog.

Sabine was the writer of the Home page and History page. She wrote all of the hard facts and evidence that create substantial evidence to back up the thesis. She spent most of her time reading through books and watching long videos.