Learning Curve
HEROES & VILLAINS
Truman & the atomic bomb > Hiroshima & Nagasaki
What were the effects on Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
When the news broke, the press in the USA and Britain viewed the bombing positively as an
action that brought the war in the Pacific to a rapid end. It was argued that the main strategic
alternative to the atom bomb, the Allies conquering Japan, would have been much more costly
in terms of lives, resources and time. In the USA, memories of the attack on Pearl Harbour
meant that there was little sympathy for the Japanese as the war they had started brought
them to a terrible end. Everyone was glad the war was over.
Later commentators have reassessed this view, questioning whether Truman really had to use
the atomic bomb. The images of the devastation caused to Hiroshima and Nagasaki remain
shocking today. From a peacetime perspective, we think about the suffering of those who died
and those who survived the blasts.
Examine these sources to find out more:
Film of the Enola Gay &
photos of the explosion
Photos of Hiroshima &
Nagasaki after the bomb
Report on casualties in
Hiroshima & Nagasaki
http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/heroesvillains/
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Learning Curve
HEROES & VILLAINS
Truman & the atomic bomb > Hiroshima & Nagasaki
Source 1
Film footage of crew on the two bombing raids, 1945, and photos of the results
Film courtesy of the Imperial War Museum: USA 8; other sources catalogue ref:
FO 371/59640)
1a
1b
1c
1d
Questions
1. Why do you think the US servicemen have been filmed?
2. What audience would this film have been shown to?
3. What words would you use to describe the attitudes of the US servicemen towards the
dropping of the bombs?
4. Looking at the photos, do you think the size and power of the explosions were a surprise to
the men who caused them?
5. According to source 1d, what did the people on the ground first experience?
http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/heroesvillains/
Page 1
Learning Curve
HEROES & VILLAINS
Truman & the atomic bomb > Hiroshima & Nagasaki
Source 1a
http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/heroesvillains/
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Learning Curve
HEROES & VILLAINS
Truman & the atomic bomb > Hiroshima & Nagasaki
Source 1b
http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/heroesvillains/
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Learning Curve
HEROES & VILLAINS
Truman & the atomic bomb > Hiroshima & Nagasaki
Source 1c
http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/heroesvillains/
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Learning Curve
HEROES & VILLAINS
Truman & the atomic bomb > Hiroshima & Nagasaki
Source 1d
http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/heroesvillains/
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Learning Curve
HEROES & VILLAINS
Truman & the atomic bomb > Hiroshima & Nagasaki
Source 2
Photos of Hiroshima and Nagasaki after the bombing, from a 1946 US report
(Catalogue ref: 2a & 2d FO 371/59658, else FO 371/59640)
2a
2b
2c
2d
2e
2f
2g
2h
Questions
1. Looking at these photos, how likely is it there were any survivors in these particular areas?
2. Anyone who lived in these areas and survived would now be homeless. What immediate
actions would the government have to take to help them?
3. What do you think would be the long-term effects on these two cities and their inhabitants?
4. Do you think that the American leaders were surprised the atomic bombs caused so much
damage?
http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/heroesvillains/
Page 1
Learning Curve
HEROES & VILLAINS
Truman & the atomic bomb > Hiroshima & Nagasaki
Source 2a
http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/heroesvillains/
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Learning Curve
HEROES & VILLAINS
Truman & the atomic bomb > Hiroshima & Nagasaki
Source 2b
http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/heroesvillains/
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Learning Curve
HEROES & VILLAINS
Truman & the atomic bomb > Hiroshima & Nagasaki
Source 2c
http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/heroesvillains/
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Learning Curve
HEROES & VILLAINS
Truman & the atomic bomb > Hiroshima & Nagasaki
Source 2d
http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/heroesvillains/
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Learning Curve
HEROES & VILLAINS
Truman & the atomic bomb > Hiroshima & Nagasaki
Source 2e
http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/heroesvillains/
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Learning Curve
HEROES & VILLAINS
Truman & the atomic bomb > Hiroshima & Nagasaki
Source 2f
http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/heroesvillains/
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Learning Curve
HEROES & VILLAINS
Truman & the atomic bomb > Hiroshima & Nagasaki
Source 2g
http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/heroesvillains/
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Learning Curve
HEROES & VILLAINS
Truman & the atomic bomb > Hiroshima & Nagasaki
Source 2h
http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/heroesvillains/
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Learning Curve
HEROES & VILLAINS
Truman & the atomic bomb > Hiroshima & Nagasaki
Source 3
Sections of a British government report on casualties in Hiroshima and Nagasaki,
December 1945
(Catalogue ref: AB 16/250)
3a
3b
3c
3d
Questions
1. If people survived the fires and falling buildings, what effect might gamma rays (radiation)
have on them?
2. Of the children known to have been in Hiroshima 0 - 3 kilometres from the centre of the
blast, what percentage of them stayed healthy?
3. With people killed or injured and huge numbers of homeless survivors, what immediate
actions would officials have to take to help the two cities?
4. What do you think would be the long-term effects on the cities and their inhabitants?
5. How would you describe the tone of this report?
6. What do you think was the purpose of this report?
http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/heroesvillains/
Page 1
Learning Curve
HEROES & VILLAINS
Truman & the atomic bomb > Hiroshima & Nagasaki
Source 3a
http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/heroesvillains/
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Learning Curve
HEROES & VILLAINS
Truman & the atomic bomb > Hiroshima & Nagasaki
Source 3b
http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/heroesvillains/
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Learning Curve
HEROES & VILLAINS
Truman & the atomic bomb > Hiroshima & Nagasaki
Source 3c
http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/heroesvillains/
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Learning Curve
HEROES & VILLAINS
Truman & the atomic bomb > Hiroshima & Nagasaki
Source 3d
http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/heroesvillains/
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