Name: Date: Period: The Atomic Bomb: Trinity, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Cold War and More. By Alan Ream 2017 Version

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1 Name: Date: Period: The Atomic Bomb: Trinity, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Cold War and More By Alan Ream 2017 Version The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki marked the first and only time in the history of the world that nuclear weapons were used against human populations. The bombings brought an abrupt end to WWII, a war that had gone on for about six years and claimed the lives of an estimated 45 million people around the world (2006 Almanac). In this assignment, you will encounter multiple perspectives concerning the use of the atomic bomb. After answering some questions about these events, you will do some critical thinking and analysis. The Assignment First, read In Truman s own words, On Board the Enola Gay, and A Survivor s Story to answer the questions below (you are free to use an Almanac, encyclopedia, dictionary, or other resources for additional information as needed). Second, you will listen to excerpts of The Last Train from Hiroshima, a CD recording and view scenes from The Atomic Bomb Collection DVD, and watch a Google Earth tour of important places. Third, from these varied sources, you will do some critical thinking and analysis. Fourth, the Butter Battle Book by Dr Seuss. First: About the Atom Bomb 1. Define these terms relating to Atomic Bombs (dictionary, computer, and video) Atomic VS Nuclear Cold War Fission VS Fusion Ground Zero Hydrogen Bomb ICBM M.A.D. Atomic Shadow Yield Radiation Nuclear Triad Thermonuclear 2. According to Truman s journal, what had scientists discovered in the New Mexico Desert? Include the quote below (Truman Reading). 3. Who was put in charge of the Manhattan Project to develop the first atomic bombs? Where was he from? (Encyclopedia, video) 4. Where was the first atomic bomb designed and built in secret and where was it first tested? Also, what was it called? (Google Earth tour, reading, video).

2 The Decision to Use It 5. Who was Harry Truman and how did he first learn about the Manhattan Project? (Reading, Internet) 6. What justifications did Truman use to explain why he made the decision to use the Atomic bomb against Japan? In other words - according to Truman, what was Japan guilty of? (Truman Reading) 7. What was the Potsdam Declaration and what was Japan s response to it? (Truman Reading) 8. Why were these two cities chosen as targets and what other city was spared because of weather? (Truman Reading or Almanac / video) Hiroshima Nagasaki Other City Atomic Bomb Data 9. Complete this chart with information about the two bombs? (Yield = equivalent in tons of TNT) (Almanac, encyclopedia, video) Weapon Design of Bomb Yield Target City # Deaths Little Boy Fat Man

3 10. Who was colonel Paul Tibbets? How old was he when he dropped the Hiroshima bomb? How did he feel about the experience? (Reading) 11. What was the name of the plane that dropped the first bomb Little Boy on Hiroshima? Where is that plane now? (Reading, video) 12. What island air base did the planes leave from on the Hiroshima and Nagasaki missions (Google Earth tour, video) 13. What was the name of the Navy ship that delivered the Atomic bombs to the island air base and what other famous tragic event did that same ship experience just afterwards? (Reading, video, Internet) 14. What was the name of the second plane the one that dropped Fat Man on Nagasaki three days later? Who was the pilot? Where is that plane today? (Use your mad skills to find this) The Aftermath 15. Over what object was the Little Boy bomb targeted to explode in Hiroshima on August 6 th 1945 at 8:15 AM? Where did it go off instead? (Reading, CD, video, internet) 16. Who are the Hibakusha, and what difficulties do they still face today? (Reading) 17. On what date did Japan finally surrender unconditionally to the United States and where exactly did that surrender take place? Where is that famous ship today? (Reading, encyclopedia, research skills) 18. What efforts were made after the surrender, to help Japan rebuild? (Use your research skills) 19. What long term effects has the radiation from the bombs had on the land and people of Japan?

4 20. What message did the people of Hiroshima later sign and send to the United States? (Reading) Second: In the boxes that follow, (1) Select a quote that you feel is really powerful from each of the different sources. (2) Draw a picture to go with the quote (3) Tell why you chose it in complete sentences. In Truman s Own Words On Board the Enola Gay

5 A Survivor s Story The Last Train from Hiroshima

6 Atomic Bomb Video Collection or Any of the other materials Sources InspirEd - Educators, Inc. In Truman s Own Words, On Board the Enola Gay, A Survivor s Story. Atlanta, GA Pellegrino, Charles. The Last Train from Hiroshima. Henry Holt and Company, New York Pellegrino, C. Unabridged history. The Last Train from Hiroshima: a survivor's look back. CD Recording read by Arthur Morey. Tantor Media Inc The Atomic Bomb Collection. DVD video. Goldhil entertainment. Produced and directed by Peter Kuran. Narrated by William Shatner Google Earth. Videos by Real Life Lore Nuke It!

7 Additional Skills I. Investigate a historical question. What are two interesting historical questions that could be asked about this topic concerning the use of the Atomic bomb? 1) 2) II. Formulate and defend a thesis with evidence. If you were asked to write a history paper about the use of the Atomic bomb to end WWII, what would be your thesis statement? Thesis Statement Guidelines (From: hippocampushistory.blogspot.com) CONSTRUCTING A THESIS How do I develop a good thesis? Here is an example of how you can arrive at a strong thesis. (1) Start with a topic (2) Develop a question around it (3) Develop a unique perspective on your question which answers it: Example: Government officials allowed discrimination against Japanese Americans not because it was in the nation's interest, but because it provided a concrete enemy for people to focus on. This is a thesis statement because you have answered the question you posed, and done so with a rather concrete and specific statement. Once the terms of the thesis are clarified [what was the "national interest"; what was the meaning and value of having "a concrete enemy for people to focus on"?], you are on your way to a solid paper.) Your Thesis Statement goes here:

8 III. Evaluate multiple historical sources. For this part, using a scale of 1-10 with 1 meaning poor or low quality, and 10 meaning very high quality (factual and accurate) Please rate a few of the sources provided in this assignment in the table below. Source The InspirED Readings Usefulness of the information (Is it a primary or secondary source? Does it provide useful information?) 1-10 Reliability of the source (How much can you trust where it comes from?) 1-10 Comments Last Train from Hiroshima CD The Atomic Bomb Collection DVD Google Earth Tour The Butter Battle Book