Table of Contents
Why did the US bomb Japan instead of Germany?
Surviving Manhattan Project scientists continue to believe that the atomic bombs were used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, rather than on German targets, merely because they were not ready in time.
Was the atomic bomb intended for Germany?
The truth is that National Socialist Germany could not possibly have built a weapon like the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima or Nagasaki. This was not because the country lacked the scientists, resources, or will, but rather because its leaders did not really try. They were certainly trying to win the war.
What caused the United States to drop the first bomb on Japan?
President Harry S. Truman, warned by some of his advisers that any attempt to invade Japan would result in horrific American casualties, ordered that the new weapon be used to bring the war to a speedy end. On August 6, 1945, the American bomber Enola Gay dropped a five-ton bomb over the Japanese city of Hiroshima.
How did the public react to the atomic bomb?
When asked simply “do you approve of the use of the atomic bomb?”, 85 percent of Americans in one August 1945 poll replied “yes.” Few doubted that the atomic bomb had ended the war and saved American lives, and after almost four years of war, few retained much sympathy for Japan.
Did America warn Japan about the bomb?
We did warn the Japanese government and people before proceeding with the atomic attacks. First, On July 26, 1945 the Potsdam Declaration was issued warning Japan if it did not immediately accept the terms outlined in the declaration and surrender it would face “prompt and utter destruction.”
Why did the US bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki instead of Tokyo?
The Americans wanted the Japanese to understand just how powerful the new weapon was. They wanted to use it, therefore, against cities that hadn’t been significantly hit by conventional weapons, so there would not be any mistake as to what caused the damage.