Exploring American Histories: Printed Page 755

Interpret the Evidence and Put It in Context

Interpret the Evidence

  1. Question

    Why do the scientists in favor of using the bomb believe it should be used against Japan (Document 23.6)?

  2. Question

    What arguments do the scientists who oppose dropping the atomic bomb on Japan put forward (Document 23.7)? Under what conditions do they believe the use of the bomb would be justified?

  3. Question

    How do both groups of scientists place the use of the bomb within the context of postwar international relations?

  4. Question

    What reasons does Truman give for dropping the bomb (Document 23.8)?

  5. Question

    According to the strategic bombing survey, what factors delayed Japan’s acceptance of unconditional surrender (Document 23.10)?

  6. Question

    How does what you see in the photograph of the day after the bombing of Hiroshima (Document 23.9) compare with the eyewitness account in Document 23.11? Which do you find more powerful and why?

Put It in Context