Summer Assessment - Atomic Bomb JUSTIFIED

Question 1

What was the Japanese national militia?

What were they expected to do?

Answer 1

• The Japanese mobilised many of its people into a national militia. Their job was to defend Japan from invasion.
• Japanese soldiers were expected to fight to the death and never surrender.
• This suggests Japanese soldiers were willing to die for their country and the war would not end unless drastic action was taken.

Question 2

How likely was it that Japan would surrender?

Answer 2

• It was very unlikely under normal circumstances.
• To win, America would have to capture every inch of Japanese soil, killing thousands on both sides.
• Only dropping the bomb would force Japan to surrender.

Question 3

During the war, were other civilian targets bombed?

Answer 3

• All major nations bombed civilian targets at various stages.
• For example, the fire bombing of Tokyo led to 75,000 -200,000 civilian deaths.
• So targeting civilians was not unique to the dropping of the atomic bomb in Japan.

Question 4

Did some American’s feel Japan deserved the bomb?

Answer 4

• Yes, because:
• they committed horrific war crimes;
• treated prisoners of war incredibly cruelly;
• performed atrocities in countries they invaded in Asia.

Question 5

What was the Manhattan Project?

How much did it cost?

Answer 5

• The Manhattan Project developed the atomic bomb. The intention was to help the allies to victory.
• It cost many hundreds of thousands of dollars.
• Some thought not using the bomb would be a massive waste of resources.

Question 6

What did Dr Miscamble state about the bomb?

Answer 6

• Dr Miscamble stated “Truman’s using of the bomb can be seen as the least awful option available to him”.
• He argued the bomb saved more lives in the long run by ending the war earlier.