Hiroshima Portfolio
Weight of the World
In July of 1945, President Harry S. Truman faced one of the toughest decisions an U.S. president has ever had to make – whether or not to use atomic weapons to end the war against Japan. This decision weighed heavily on the President’s shoulders. Why did Truman decide to drop the bomb? Did he make the right choice? Historians continue to debate these questions.
Imagine it is July of 1945 and you are President of the United States. Will you choose to use the atomic bomb against Japan Complete the workout to help you decide?
The Issues
There are several factors to consider in your decision-making process. You will need to look at the military, moral, and political consequences of your action.
Military – Military issues deal with winning the war and destroying the enemy’s ability to wage war. The number of casualties (dead and wounded) are taken into consideration. On the left side of the chart, note the military advantages of using an atomic bomb. On the right side, write down the military reasons for ruling out the use of the bomb. You will find Broadsheet 5 and Exhibits 5 and 6 helpful in your analysis.
For |
Against |
Moral – Moral issues focus on the value of human life and right vs. wrong. Broadsheet 4 and Exhibits 3,4,11, and 13 all touch on the debate over the morality of nuclear weapons. Give a moral argument for using the bomb to end the war on the left side of the chart. On the right side, provide a moral argument against its use.
For |
Against |
Political – Political issues center around a nation’s power and prestige in the world community. Politically, what would the U.S. gain by dropping the bomb on Japan? Jot down your ideas on the left. What would the U.S. lose? Note these ideas on the right. Broadsheet 5 and Exhibits 5 and 7 provide insights into political considerations.
For |
Against |
The Decision
Review your military, moral, and political arguments concerning the use of atomic weapons against Japan. Then indicate the outcome of your decision by checking the appropriate statement.
YES, the U.S. will use the atomic bomb to end the war against Japan.
NO, the U.S. will not use the atomic bomb to end the war against Japan.
Your Assignment
Now imagine that you will give a radio address to the nation to explain your decision. Write a one-two page Radio Address about your position on the decision to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima (Exhibit 8 might serve as a model for your work.) If you believe nuclear weapons should be used, explain where and how they will be deployed. Study Broadsheet 5 for alternative uses of the bomb. If you have decided not to drop the bomb, inform the American people about the new device. Also clearly spell out why you have decided against its use as a wartime weapon.
Be sure to support your generalization (topic sentences) with supporting evidence from the Broadsheets and Exhibits (primary sources). You will be asked to read your radio address to the class
To begin:
1. Prewriting: Generate your thoughts, ideas, etc. through clustering, taking notes, looking at what you highlighted in your sources.
2. Organize: Take your points, ideas and put them in an outline.
3. State your thesis: Your thesis statement should fit the following criteria:
4.) Write your First Draft
*Note: Topic sentences focus on one aspect of the thesis statement. The topic sentences establish one idea to be dealt with in a supporting paragraph. Your topic sentence must meet the following criteria:
5. Length 1 page minimum, 3 pages maximum (1.5 spacing). (rough draft & final)
6. Each page should include at the top of the page the following in the order given:
7. Proper grammar, spelling and punctuation are expected.
8. Make sure you have your work proofread by at least one skilled writer before beginning you final draft. Include an edited draft with your final copy in your portfolio