Introduction

America has spent the last four years battling the Axis powers to ensure freedom and democracy will triumph.  The Nazi party has finally crumbled and Germany has been defeated.  The Japanese however are refusing to surrender.  President Truman fears the only way to defeat the Japanese military is an all out invasion of  Japan. Such an invasion will cost both sides nearly a million casualties. Does the President have another option?

The Task

Imagine that you are a reporter for the Washington Post.  There have long been rumors that U.S. scientists have been working on the creation of an Atomic Bomb. Such a weapon could end the war with a single blow. Through your sources you have found out that these rumors are true and that the United States is also considering the use of this destructive weapon on the Japanese.  As a reporter your job is to gather evidence and construct a persuasive argument answering one of the following questions: Does the United States need to use the Atomic Bomb to end the war?  or  Is an invasion of Japan enough and the bomb not necessary? Your article could be crucial in swaying public support and have major political implications.

This project will be completed independently. 

First:  You will need to use various resources to research World War II and the atomic bomb. 

Second:  You will use the information you have gathered and you will need to form your own opinion about the creation of the atomic bomb and dropping it on Japan.  You may want to make a list of pros and cons regarding this subject, i.e. positive and negative long term/short term effects for both countries involved.  What effects will this decision have on the rest of the world?

Third: Use the following web links to gather information.  These links will be the basis for your paper. 
        www.dannen.com/decision/

        www.csi.ad.jp/ABOMB/

         www.atomicarchive.com

         www.trumanlibrary.org

Fourth:  You will construct a persuasive paper (newspaper article) defending your beliefs. Follow the instructions provided by your teacher on developing a persuasive paper.  *Remember to provide evidence in order to support your belief. 
Here are some questions to consider:

What were the U.S. alternatives to dropping the bomb?

Why did 2 bombs have to be dropped?

Who made the ultimate decision? 

Were any other countries developing such a weapon?

What possible impact could this have on the rest of the world?  Environment?
 
 
 
 
 

Congratulations!  You have successfully completed your first assignment as an investigative journalist.  You researched information regarding the first atomic bomb ever used in warfare.  Due to your investigations you formed your own opinions about the development and use of this weapon.  You were able to complete a strong persuasive article that may influence millions of readers.
 

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