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=**__Dropping the Atomic Bomb__**=



__**Introduction**__
On August 6, 1945 the Enola Gay, an American B-29 bomber, flew over the city of Hiroshima in Japan. The Enola Gay dropped a single atomic bomb which killed 80,000 people and destroyed 30,000 buildings in an instant. Before the bomb was dropped President Truman gave the Empire of Japan one last chance to surrender, failure to do so he urged would result in "prompt and utter destruction." Japan did not surrender and so Truman stuck to his word and without formal warning the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were destroyed; On August 17, 1945 Japan surrendered.

__Lesson Objectives__
As a student of history it is sometimes difficult to understand why our leaders made the decisions they did. In part, it is our job to determine the rationale for major decisions keeping in mind the information available at the time the decision was made.

At the end of this lesson students will
 * Analyze primary sources in order to find evidence to support their assigned viewpoint
 * Identify the main arguements for and against the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima
 * Enter into a group discussion in which they come to a decision on whether or not to drop the atomic bomb.

__Post Lesson -__ Students will be able to evaluate the strength of their groups decision in light of the consequences of the U.S. actions on Aug 6th 1945

__Assignment__

 * Write a briefing for President Truman in which you argue for either the dropping of the atomic bomb or a land invasion of Japan.**

__Tasks__
1. You have each been pre-assigned a viewpoint (you may or may not personally agree with your assigned viewpoint) which you need to support using documents from choices below. **Using the graphic organizer found here**: * you should analyze these documents and **extract evidence which supports your position**. 2. When you have completed the graphic organizer pair share in expert groups with the person sitting next to you. As always I am looking for you to share your information and **make any additions/corrections to your work in a different color**. 3. With your partner brainstorm what you believe is the greatest justification for dropping or opposing the bomb. 4. Now you should work on writing your summary in which you support your view using evidence from the documents. Use the attached document to type your summary. 5. When you have finished your summary you and your partner should work with the two others in your group and share information so that your table comparing arguments for and against is complete. 6. When your table is complete your group should discuss/debate how you want to advise the president. Your group must come to an agreement light of the situation at hand. 7. When you have reached the decision you must each write a briefing to the President detailing the deciosion of your group. You must highlight evidence which supports your briefing.

Thos who have been assigned the position to __oppose__ the decision to drop the atomic bomb go here:opposing arguments**
 * Those who have been assigned the position to __support__ the decision to drop the atomic bomb go here:supporting arguments