2/10/16

Today we finished the documentary on WWII and went into detail about the use of nuclear bombs.

The we started the documentary from the beginning of the Battle of Iwo Jima.  Iwo Jima, an island in the Pacific between where the US was stationed and sending bombers and Japan, was being a strong interference as the bombers went to do their bombing runs. Although not necessary to win the war, it was necessary to save resources and to save men from crash landing back at base. After the battle, the famous picture of the Americans raising the flag was taken and it now one of the most famous pictures of WWII.

Following Iwo Jima was the continued bombing of Tokyo. But instead of doing high-altitude bomb runs, they began to do low-flying firebombing runs, setting fire to the susceptible buildings and causing a giant firestorm. But Japan still wouldn't surrender.

Near the end of the war, we all know what happened. The United States had created, tested, and had clearance to use nuclear weapons from President Truman (Roosevelt had died before his 4th term was completed). Bombing Hiroshima with the Little Boy and Nagasaki with The Fat Man, this undoubted caused massive damage and massive civilian casualties, leading the emperor of Japan to surrender.


The slideshow that we looked at talked about questions to keep in mind while deciding to use the bomb; such as Projected Casualties for using/ not using, and how quickly you wanted to end the war.
We also went into depth as pros and cons for using it and how people would argue future use of it.