ACT - The Atomic Bomb

Dropping of the Atomic Bomb on Japan On August 6, 1945, an American B-29, the Enola Gay, dropped an atomic weapon on the Japanese industrial center at Hiroshima. With a single bomb, the United States completely incinerated a four-square-mile area at the center of the previously undamaged city. More than 80,000 civilians died, according to later American estimates. Two days later, on August 8, the Soviet Union declared war on Japan. And the following day, the United States sent another plane to drop another atomic weapon-this time on the city of Nagasaki – causing more than 100,000 deaths in another unfortunate community. The debate over the decision to drop the atomic bomb is an unusually emotional one, and it has inspired bitter professional and personal attacks on advocates of almost every position. It illustrates clearly how history has often been, and remains, a powerful force in the way societies define their politics, their values, and their character. Read and carefully consider these perspectives. Each suggests a different reason for dropping or not dropping the atomic bomb to end WWII with Japan. Perspective 1 The United States was justified in using the atomic bomb to ensure the war ends quickly while minimizing casualties on both sides. Perspective 2 The United States was not justified in using the atomic bomb since dropping the bomb was more of a scare tactic against the Soviet Union while Japan was essentially defeated. Perspective 3 There were alternatives to the use of the atomic bomb, such as publicly demonstrating the bomb, waiting for the Russians to mobilize against Japan, or continuing conventional bombing. Essay Task Write a unified, coherent essay in which you evaluate multiple perspectives about the dropping of the atomic bomb. In your essay, be sure to: • analyze and evaluate the perspectives given • state and develop your own perspective on the issue • explain the relationship between your perspective and those given Your perspective may be in full agreement with any of the others, in partial agreement, or wholly different. Whatever the case, support your ideas with logical reasoning and detailed, persuasive examples.