World War II and the Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima Webquest

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Part 1

Before the countdown:

  1. By July 1945, how long had the United States been at war with Japan?
  1. What ultimatum does the United States issue Japan on July 26, 1945? Does Japan accept the ultimatum?

Briefing Room, Tinian Island:

  1. How long had some American airmen been training unknowingly to drop an atomic bomb on Japan?
  1. How much area could the first atomic bomb completely destroy in a city?

Operations HQ, Tinian Island:

  1. How many American soldiers had already been killed in the Pacific by August, 1945?
  1. Because the atomic bomb is so powerful, what do many people in the American government and military believe will happen once it is used?

Operations HQ, Tinian Island (08.47 August 5):

  1. What is the nickname of the atomic bomb that will be dropped on Hiroshima?
  1. On what date was the atomic bomb to be used against Japan?

Planning Office, Tinian Island:

  1. What are the three possible cities to be targeted for an atomic bombing?
  1. What location was considered a good target in Hiroshima?
  1. What is the aircrew given incase their plane crashes or is shot down?

Hiroshima, Japan:

  1. How far from the United States airbase in Tinian is Hiroshima located?
  1. How was Hiroshima an important city for the Japanese war effort?
  1. How many people were killed in the firebombing of Tokyo? How many Japanese had already been killed by American bombing attacks by August, 1945?
  1. Why had Hiroshima not been bombed earlier by American planes?

Hangar, Tinian Island:

  1. Why does Captain Parsons arm the atomic bomb in the air, instead of on Tinian?

Hiroshima, Japan (20.06 August 5)

  1. What was the weather forecast for Hiroshima on August 6, 1945?

Briefing Room, Tinian Island (00:02 August 6):

  1. How many planes will be part of the attack on Hiroshima?
  1. How long will the flight for the B-29s last?

Runway, Tinian Island:

  1. What do some men aboard the B-29s use the early part of the flight for?

Cockpit, Enola Gay:

  1. What does the aircrew do to the atomic bomb 300 miles from the Japanese coast?

Hiroshima, Japan (07.31 August 6)

  1. Why do most people in Hiroshima ignore the alerts that B-29s are in the area?
  1. What does the weather plane tell the crew of the Enola Gay?

Hiroshima, Japan (08.15 August 6)

  1. Once the atomic bomb detonated above Hiroshima, how hot did the temperature reach?
  1. How many buildings in Hiroshima were destroyed by the blast?
  1. How many people are killed by the atomic bomb blast in Hiroshima?

White House, Washington:

  1. What are reporters told about the atomic bomb and the destruction of Hiroshima?
  1. What is the Little Boy atomic bomb hailed as?

Japan:

  1. What is unique about Japanese Emperor Hirohito addressing his people about the surrender of Japan to the Allies?
  1. What other Japanese city was destroyed by an atomic bomb?
  1. Why were so many Japanese shocked by the surrender of their government to the Allies?

United States:

  1. How was the crew of the Enola Gay treated by Americans?
  1. Why do many people view the atomic bombings of Japan as needed?
  1. How many people died in the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

Go to the bottom of the page and click on: Was it right to bomb Hiroshima?

Part 2:

What happened on 6 August 1945?:

  1. How many days after bombing Hiroshima did the United States drop an atomic bomb on Nagasaki?

Why did America use the bomb?:

  1. List several of the reasons for dropping atomic bombs on Japan?
  1. What do you think President Truman meant by, “When you have to deal with a beast you have to treat him as a beast” to justify dropping atomic bombs on Japan?
  1. How much did it cost to develop the atomic bomb?
  1. Why might the United States have wanted to demonstrate the power of the atomic bomb?

INTERACTIVE: How did people react?:

  1. How did HisatsuneSakomizu view the dropping of the atomic bomb?
  1. How did Akihiro Takahashi view the dropping of the atomic bomb?
  1. How did Colonel Paul Tibbets view the dropping of the atomic bomb?

Was it right to use the bomb? (Look under the picture!)

  1. What are the two major arguments about atomic bombings of Japan?

What would you have done?

  1. Why did the American Secretary of State feel it was foolish to make peace with the Japanese?
  1. What would have happened if the United States continued conventional warfare against Japan?
  1. How many Japanese died years after the atomic bombing from its effects?
  1. Why were most of the scientist who built the atomic bomb against having a demonstration for the Japanese government of using an atomic bomb?
  1. If you were the President of the United States in August, 1945, would you have ordered the atomic bombing of Japanese cities to try to end the war? Why or why not, please explain your answers!
  1. How much fault or guilt should the United States have about the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

NoneSomeA lot

Please explain the reason behind your answer!

  1. How much fault or guilt should Japan have about the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

NoneSomeA lot

Please explain the reason behind your answer!