Name Dropping of the Atomic DBQ

HISTORICAL CONTEXT: With the dropping of the atomic bomb on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Japanese surrendered signaling the end of WWII. Historians, however, are still debating whether the dropping of the atomic bomb was necessary tend the war quickly.

TASK: In a well-written essay, you must:

Decide whether or not the United States was justified in dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Give at least three (3) historically accurate facts to defend your position.

HELPFUL HINTS:

Use at least 4 documents in your essay. This will require you to utilize a document that does not help your argument. You must be able to take a document and spin it to explain how it actually is incorrect in your opinion. Be sure to cite your document within your essay using names that are not “Document #...”

When selecting documents, be sure that you do not simply list them, but accurately analyze them (this is what separates a “4” paper from a “5” paper).

Your outside knowledge on this subject is extensive. Think of everything that we have learned over the past 3 weeks and use it to your advantage. When taking a stand, be sure to use as much evidence as possible to explain your point.

Stick to your point. When writing an argumentative DBQ paper, be sure to avoid telling both sides of the argument. A Defense lawyer does not explain the Prosecution’s side she simply makes her client look innocent.

Cite the documents after the sentence and try to quote at least one document in your paper.

If you believe that the United States was not justified in dropping the atomic bomb, you should offer what you believe was the best alternative. Choosing nothing is not a choice.

RUBRIC

Score of 5 Thoroughly addresses all aspects of the task by accurately analyzing and interpreting most of the documents. Incorporates relevant outside information Richly supports outline with relevant facts, examples, and details Writes a well-organized outline, consistently demonstrating a logical and clear plan of organization. Includes a strong introduction Includes a strong conclusion Includes an original thesis statement

Score of 4

Addresses all aspects of the task by accurately analyzing and interpreting most of the documents. Incorporates relevant outside information Supports outline with relevant facts, examples and details-may be more descriptive than analytical Writes a well-organized outline, demonstrating a logical and clear plan of organization Includes a good introduction Includes a good conclusion Includes a clear thesis statement

Score of 3

Addresses most aspects of the task or all aspects in a limited way Incorporates limited or no relevant outside information Uses some facts, examples, and details-but is more descriptive than analytical Writes a satisfactorily developed outline, demonstrating a general plan of organization States the theme in the conclusion Includes a thesis statement

Score of 2

Attempts to address some aspects of the task by accurately analyzing and interpreting most of the documents Incorporates limited or no outside information Uses few facts, examples, and details-simply restates contents of documents Writes a poorly organized outline, lacking focus Has a vague or missing introduction Has a vague or missing conclusion Lacks a clear thesis statement

Score of 1

Shows limited understanding of the task with vague, unclear references tthe documents Presents no relevant outside information Attempts to complete the task but demonstrates a major weakness in organization Uses few or no accurate or relevant facts, details, or examples Has vague or missing introduction or conclusion

Score of 0

Fails to address the task Writing is illegible Blank paper

DOCUMENT #1: Rape of Nanking

In 1936 and 1937 the Japanese army entered the city of Nanking, what happened there over six weeks is known as The Rape of Nanking.

1. How might the photograph influence the American president into believing that the atomic attacks on Japanese civilians were justified?

DOCUMENT #2: League of Nations International LawProtection of Civilian Populations Against Bombing From the Air in Case of War, League of Nations, September 30,

1938PROTECTION OF CIVILIAN POPULATIONS AGAINST BOMBING FROM THE AIR IN CASE OF WAR

Unanimous resolution of the League of Nations Assembly,September 30, 1938.

The Assembly,Considering that on numerous occasions public opinion has expressed through the most authoritative channels its horror of the bombing of civilian populations;Considering that this practice, for which there is no military necessity and which, as experience shows, only causes needless suffering, is condemned under the recognised principles of international law;…I. Recognizes the following principles as a necessary basis for any subsequent regulations:

1) The intentional bombing of civilian populations is illegal;

2) Objectives aimed at from the air must be legitimate military objectives and must be identifiable;

3) Any attack on legitimate military objectives must be carried out in such a way that civilian populations in the neighbourhood are not bombed through negligence;

1. What is the date of this document?

2. What international organization passed this law?

3. Identify one way the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were illegal according to this law.

DOCUMENT #3: Japanese Kamikaze PilotsAs the war progressed and it became obvious that American technology was superior to Japan’s, the Japanese began

utilizing kamikaze pilots to attack Allied ships in the Pacific to balance the power. The Japanese pilots became “guided” missiles taking out American ships.

1. How might the Japanese use of Kamikaze pilots influence Harry Truman to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

DOCUMENT #4: Letter of Scientists opposed to nuclear weapon in war

EXCERPTS OF THE LETTER:

To the President of the United States:We, the undersigned scientific personnel…believe that the worldwide

political and social consequences of the power of the weapon being developed…(require the United States to have that power to be) made known by a demonstration to the peoples of the world…Therefore we

recommend that before this weapon be used without restriction…its powers should be…demonstrated, and the Japanese nation should be given the opportunity to consider the consequences of further refusal to surrender.

1. According tthis letter, why are these scientists opposed tthe dropping of the atomic bomb on Japanese cities?

DOCUMENT #5: Invasion of Japan- The following are the estimates of casualties, made by US military personnel, in the invasion of Japan.

Approximately 500,000 Purple Heart medals (awarded to those wounded or killed while serving with the US military) were manufactured in anticipation of the invasion. However, nobody knows for sure how many Allied or Japanese casualties an invasion would have resulted in. There have been many estimates over the years (some of the estimates below do not include losses at sea). Estimate US/Allied Casualties Japanese Casualties

Joint Chiefs of Staff(April 1945)

Olympic Wounded: 347,000Olympic Dead/Missing: 109,000

Coronet Wounded: 744,000Coronet Dead/Missing: 158,000

TOTAL: 1,200,000

N/A

Admiral Nimitz's Staff(May 1945) First 30 Days: 49,000 N/A

General MacArthur's Staff(June 1945) First 120 Days: 125,000 N/A

General MacArthur's Staff(Revised Estimate) First 120 Days: 105,000 N/A

General Marshall 70,000 ?

Admiral Leahy 268,000 ?

Admiral King 31,000 t41,000 ?

William ShockleyWounded: 1,300,000 t3,200,000

Dead: 400,000 t800,000Total: 1,700,000 t4,000,000

Dead: 5,000,000 t10,000,000

Kyle Palmer Dead: 500,000 t1,000,000 ?

Harry S. Truman Dead: 500,000 t1,000,000 ?

1. How many casualties did Harry S Truman believe would occur in an invasion of Japan?

2. How would this influence his decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japanese cities?

3. What were the estimates of Japanese Casualties? Why were these anticipated to be so high?_______________

DOCUMENT #6: Effects of Atomic Attacks on Hiroshima and NagasakiThe following are visuals and a graph of the after-effects of the attacks.

1. What was the Pre-raid Population of Hiroshima?

2. What was the Total Casualties number of Hiroshima?

TABLE A: Estimates of Casualties

Hiroshima Nagasaki

Pre-raid population 255,000 195,000

Dead 66,000 39,000

Injured 69,000 25,000

Total Casualties 135,000 64,000

Final Task: In a well-written essay, you must complete the task below. This will be worth a total of 20 points. Please see rubric for how your essay will be graded. (Your score will be multiplied by 4 to reach 20 points.) Write this on a separate sheet of lined paper.

Decide whether or not the United States was justified in dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Give at least three (3) historically accurate facts to defend your position.