Interpret the Evidence and Put It in Context

1. What arguments do the scientists who oppose dropping the atomic bomb on Japan put forward (Document 23.5)? Under what conditions do they believe the use of the bomb would be justified?

2. How do the scientists opposed to the use of the bomb view its use within the context of postwar international relations?

3. What reasons does Truman give for dropping the bomb (Document 23.6)?

4. According to the strategic bombing survey, what factors delayed Japan’s acceptance of unconditional surrender (Document 23.8)?

5. How does what you see in the photograph of the day after the bombing of Hiroshima (Document 23.7) compare with the eyewitness account in Document 23.9? Which do you find more powerful and why?