The Atomic Bomb

1
The Atomic Bomb
2
Manhattan Project

• Top-secret project to develop a weapon using
  atomic energy
• Chief scientist Robert Oppenheimer was in charge
  of the project
• First bomb detonated in the desert of New Mexico
  in July of 1945

3
Attack on Japan

• After fighting the Japanese in the Pacific and at
  Okinawa an invasion of Japan was a daunting task
  that may cost 500,000 American lives
• Most advisers to President Truman wanted to end
  the war as quickly as possible

4
Potsdam Ultimatum

• President Truman did not want to send in more
  troops to fight
• Issued a statement to Emperor Hirohito to
  surrender or they could expect complete
  destruction
• No mention of the weapon to be used

5
Hiroshima

• August 6, 1945 Little Boy is dropped on
  Hiroshima (350,000 people)
• City was picked as a military target and for
  psychological effects on Japanese
• 140,000 Japanese died by the end of the year from
  the bomb

6
Nagasaki

• August 9, 1945 The Japanese had still not
  surrendered
• US dropped Fat Man on the large seaport
  responsible for production of Japanese weapons
• By the end of the year 80,000 Japanese had died
  from the bomb/ effects

7
Unconditional Surrender

• On August 14th the Emperor Hirohito announced
  Japans surrender to the people of Japan
• On September 2nd the Japanese formally
  surrendered in a ceremony held on the USS
  Missouri