Hiroshima & Nagasaki: The Atomic Bomb
|
Collection of Visual Resources Related to the Atomic Bomb/Hiroshima - From Power Point presentations to videos and slideshows, this collection is full of powerful visual evidence from the aftermath of the dropping of the atomic bomb. (O,T)
Interview with Francis Mitsuo Tomosawa - Transcript of Scholastic's interview with Mr. Tomosawa who was a teen living in Hiroshima at the time that the atomic bomb was dropped. Excellent primary source for younger students. (Y, M, O, T)
Attack on Hiroshima and Nagasaki - Students read Sadako and write an editorial about the event from the perspective of either a Japanese or an American. (Y, M)
Children of the Atomic Bomb Curriculum Lesson Plans - Collection of lesson plans developed by Los Angeles Unified multicultural curriculum consultant Esther Taira which provide in-depth resources, questions, and curriculum materials. High school and college teachers and students can explore themes around "Children of the Atomic Bomb." Covers history, social science, culture, politics, and rhetoric. (O)
First Atomic Bomb Dropped on Japan; Missile Is Equal to 20,000 Tons of TNT; Truman Warns Foe of a 'Rain of Ruin' - The original NY Times article from August 6, 1945 that announced the dropping of the first atomic bomb on Japan. (O)
Atomic Bomb-Truman Press Release-Student Activity - This activity from the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum has students read and analyze the press release issues by Truman announcing the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. (M, O)
Einstein's Letter - Albert Einstein wrote a letter to President Roosevelt on August 2, 1939. In it he observed, among other things, that: “...it may become possible to set up a nuclear chain reaction in a large mass of uranium, by which vast amounts of power and large quantities of new radium-like elements would be generated ... This new phenomenon would also lead to the construction of bombs...” This detailed and sourced story explains how Einstein's letter culminated in the bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. (O)
The Bombing of Hiroshima - A section of the story Einstein's Letter detailing the result of the Hiroshima atomic bomb (O)
Victory in the Pacific, 1943-1945 - This lesson will guide students through the military campaigns of the Pacific theater, tracing the path of the Allied offensives. Through an examination of historical documents and the use of an interactive map, students will gain an understanding of what the Allies were trying to accomplish, and why. Moreover, they will consider the controversial issue of the use of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. (O)
Hiroshima Peace Park Website - Peace Park is the official Japanese memorial site in Hiroshima where the atomic bomb was dropped. The website includes a virtual tour and a Kids' Station with a special section for Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes. A little-known fact is that many school children were victims because they were participating in work crews at demolition sites in the city. (Y, M, O, T)
The Ethics of the Bomb: What Would You Do? - The history and ethics of the development of the atomic bomb is one of the most significant issues in our modern world. The atomic bomb has changed the way nations relate to each other and the way in which war is waged. In this lesson, students will explore selected web sites regarding the Manhattan Project, Truman's decision to drop the bomb, Fat Man and Little Boy, the Enola Gay, and the aftermath in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Students will encounter differing perspectives, both historical and current, in order to answer the question, "If you were President of the United States during World War II, what would you have done?" They will also answer the question, "What should we do in the future to prevent this from happening again?" (O)
