Atomic Bombings On Japan
By Nate Treloar & Sam Danker
Summary
In response to Pearl Harbor, the U.S., with the UK and China, called for an unconditional surrender for the Japanese army. The result of the Manhattan Project, the construction and testing of nuclear weaponry, had produced two atomic bombs which were used to attack the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The blasts killed thousands of people with hundreds more dying in the following months from burns and radiation poisoning. Following the bombings, Japan announced it's surrender to the Allies on September 2nd.
Why Important?
At the time, Hiroshima and Nagasaki were very large cities in Japan. While Hiroshima was not a military target, it was one of the largest cities in Japan that wasn't already bombed. Nagasaki, however, was both a military port and ship-building city. Even though it had been previously bombed, the bombing was important because it showed the rest of the world that the U.S was a total superpower.
Where? When?
The bombs were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. On July 26, 1945, the U.S. called for the unconditional surrender of Japan in the Potsdam Declaration. On August 6, the first bomb, "Little Boy", was dropped on Hiroshima, and on August 9, the "Fat Man" was dropped on Nagasaki.
Newspaper Article
Explosion of bomb
Impact/Result
4.7 square miles of Hiroshima was destroyed including 69% of buildings. The bomb started fires that spread through homes. The attack killed 3,243 troops on the ground. The total deaths of the Hiroshima bombing was 166,000. In Nagasaki, the radius of the total destruction path was one mile followed by fires across the northern part of the city. The total amount of deaths in Nagasaki was 80,000. The Japanese announced their surrender on September 2nd. Half the deaths of the bombings occurred on the first day. The rest occurred in the following months where large numbers died of radiation sickness, effects from burns and other illnesses. The Japanese Emperor, Hirohito, issued this announcement in relation to the atomic bombs and war with the U.S.
"Moreover, the enemy now possesses a new and terrible weapon with the power to destroy many innocent lives and do incalculable damage. Should we continue to fight, not only would it result in an ultimate collapse and obliteration of the Japanese nation, but also it would lead to the total extinction of human civilization.
"Such being the case, how are We to save the millions of Our subjects, or to atone Ourselves before the hallowed spirits of Our Imperial Ancestors? This is the reason why We have ordered the acceptance of the provisions of the Joint Declaration of the Powers."
Aftermath of Hiroshima
Aftermath of Nagasaki
The Atomic bomb Itself
Hiroshima Atomic Bomb (1945)