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Quiz for The Decision to Drop the Atomic Bomb

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Choose the best answer to each question.

Question

1. What was the scientific advisory panel’s recommendation regarding the immediate use of nuclear weapons to end the war (see Document 23.6)?

A unanimous recommendation to drop the bomb on Japan

A split recommendation favoring purely a technical demonstration

Using the atomic bomb only after America’s allies had agreed to its use

A split recommendation favoring direct military use

Correct: The answer is d. After outlining the opinions of various scientists, the panel determined that direct military use was the best option.

Incorrect: The answer is d. After outlining the opinions of various scientists, the panel determined that direct military use was the best option.

Question

2. Some of the scientists from the Manhattan Project claimed that the threat that led to the creation of the atomic bomb no longer existed (Document 23.7). Why did this threat no longer exist?

Japan was about to surrender.

Germany had been defeated.

Russia had scrapped its atomic program.

The Axis powers did not have any atomic capabilities.

Correct: The answer is b. The atomic bomb was originally developed to defend the United States in a nuclear attack from Germany. Because Germany had already been defeated, the scientists believed that the threat had already been diffused.

Incorrect: The answer is b. The atomic bomb was originally developed to defend the United States in a nuclear attack from Germany. Because Germany had already been defeated, the scientists believed that the threat had already been diffused.

Question

3. According to President Harry S. Truman, how could Japan have prevented the atomic bomb from being dropped within its borders (see Document 23.8)?

By disarming its military

By agreeing to Truman’s terms of surrender

By agreeing to the Potsdam terms of surrender

By ousting Emperor Hirohito from power

Correct: The answer is b. Truman stated that Japan could have prevented the atomic bomb from being dropped if Hirohito had agreed to Truman’s terms of surrender.

Incorrect: The answer is b. Truman stated that Japan could have prevented the atomic bomb from being dropped if Hirohito had agreed to Truman’s terms of surrender.

Question

4. According to the U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey (Document 23.10), when did Hirohito decide that the war should end even if it meant acceptance of defeat on allied terms? (See also Chapter 23.)

Four weeks before the bombing of Hiroshima

The day of the bombing of Nagasaki

After the first bomb was dropped on Hiroshima

Three months before the bombing of Nagasaki

Correct: The answer is d. Hirohito decided as early as three months before the atomic bombs dropped that the war should end even if it meant acceptance of defeat on allied terms.

Incorrect: The answer is d. Hirohito decided as early as three months before the atomic bombs dropped that the war should end even if it meant acceptance of defeat on allied terms.

Question

5. What was the primary result of the bombing of Hiroshima (see Document 23.9 and Document 23.11)?

Targeted military installations were destroyed.

Arms factories and manufacturing centers were demolished.

The civilian population was decimated.

Relief workers contracted various diseases due to the radiation.

Correct: The answer is c. The atomic bombing of Hiroshima immediately killed 80,000 civilians, and tens of thousands later died slowly of radiation poisoning. Three days later, the United States dropped another atomic bomb on Nagasaki, killing more than 100,000 civilians.

Incorrect: The answer is c. The atomic bombing of Hiroshima immediately killed 80,000 civilians, and tens of thousands later died slowly of radiation poisoning. Three days later, the United States dropped another atomic bomb on Nagasaki, killing more than 100,000 civilians.