What were the goals of propaganda created by the United States?

EQ: Did the United States need to drop the atomic

bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki? LT:

Construct an argument for or against the use of the atomic bomb during World War II.

POU: I can construct an argument for or against the

use of the atomic bomb during World War II.

Go back and think – Go back and think – What is an Atom?What is an Atom?

How would you split How would you split an atom apart?an atom apart?

You need an You need an incredible amount incredible amount of energy!of energy!

Imagine how Imagine how destructive this destructive this energy could be.energy could be.

Secret Project by U.S. government to develop a nuclear weapon

Led by Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer

Cost $2Billion (over $20B in today’s money)

Two atomic bombs were made, “Little Boy” and “Fat Man”

“Little Boy” was the first a-bomb to be used.

“Fat Man”

“Little Boy”

What were President Harry Truman’s motivations for using the Atomic Bomb against Japan in World War II?

Testing the bomb could be a dud – better to just use it

Only way to make Japan surrender Would ultimately save lives and money Needed to justify the cost Unconditional surrender would give the

U.S. more power

PROS

CONS

Could just demonstrate our power and hope they surrender

Would kill thousands of civilians May be immoral to drop this weapon without

warning Could get conditional surrender without the

bomb

Wanted a conditional surrender

U.S would not agree to this

The atomic bomb was given as the main reason for the surrender of Japan.

August 6, 1945, “The Little Boy” was dropped in the center of Hiroshima

Over 150,000 died as a result of the blast or radiation

August 7, 1945: thousands of leaflets were dropped over the city of Nagasaki.

August 9: “Fat Man” was dropped on Nagasaki

September 2: Hirohito and the Japanese finally surrendered

Sample Leaflet

Rare photo taken at ground level of Nagasaki bombing

Hiroshima was burnt to ashes

The younger they were at the time, and the more radiation they were exposed to, the higher their risk of illness.

Rain that follows any atomic detonation is laden with radioactive particles, and many survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki blasts succumbed to radiation poisoning.

Headache Shortness of

breath Rapid heartbeat Inflammation of

the mouth and throat

Worsening of tooth or gum disease

Hair loss Dry cough

Heart inflammation with chest pain

Burning Permanent skin

darkening Bleeding spots

anywhere under the skin

Hemorrhage Anemia

45% of survivors experienced thyroid problem.

As of 1990, there were 176 reported deaths caused by leukemia among the survivors.

Damage to immune system