Atomic Bombs use essay Flashcards
During what decade did the field of atomic science develop and begin ti grow?
1930s
In what year was Nuclear fission discovered? What did this mean?
1938, it made a nuclear bomb theoretically possible
When was the Manhattan Project initiated?
1939
How many people did the Manhattan Project incorporate?
130,000
How much did the Manhattan Project cost?
$2 billion in 1945 dollars
What drove the US’ development of the nuclear weapon?
Fear that the Nazi’s were attempting to develop one
The Trinity Test
July 16, 1945. New Mexico. It was the first ever testing of a nuclear weapon. The energy it produced was the equivalent of 20 kilotons of TNT. Very little was know about the effects of radiation
The Bombing of Hiroshima
August 6, 1945
The Bombing of Nagasaki
August 9, 1945
When did the Japanese Surrender?
August 15, 1945
What was the plan in regard to the soviets prior to the use of the atomic bomb?
They were to invade Manchuria 3 months after the war ended in Europe
Key argument of the orthodox case
The atomic bomb was used to prevent masses of US casualties that would have occurred if the Pacific War had continued
Estimation of casualties for Operation Downfall
Truman says he was told 1 million. Joint Chiefs of staff said between 149,046-514,072 if it lasted only 90 days . However, the reliability of these estimates is debated
Liberalist link to the Orthodox theory
Truman’s own experience of war as a forward observer
Weaknesses of the Orthodox case
Ignores the evidence suggesting the US knew that Japan was likely to surrender once the USSR entered the war, meaning Operation Downfall would not be necessary
Revisionist argument
Dropped the bomb so as to get the upper hand over the USSR in the post-war environment
What made tensions between the USA and USSR come to ahead?
The USSR’s installation of a communist regime in Poland
Key evidence in the Revisionist case
Stalling of negotiations prior to the trinity Tests. Although at this point Churchhill didn’t know of the Trinity Test there was a significant change in Truman’s behaviour at the Potsdam conference
Weaknesses of the revisionist case
Relies heavily upon Japan surrendering anyway, Alperovitz’s evidence is skewed and doctored to hid other potential meanings
Name two other factors which could be seen to be causes of the decision to use the atomic bomb
1) Manhattan project cost. $2B in 1945 currency couldn’t justify this if didn’t use it as walker argues
2) Desire for revenge following Pearl Harbor: propaganda slogan: “Strike ‘em dead REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR”
When did the cold war occur?
between approximately 1947 and 1991
In what year did Cuba become communist?
1961
The Cuban Missile Crisis 1962
Was a 13-day standoff whereby the USSR wanted to place nuclear missiles in Cuba. The US initiated a naval blockade in response and demanded their removal. It was resolved by the USSR agreeing to remove them in return for the US agreeing not to invade without provocation. The US also agreed in secret to remove their nuclear weapons from Turkey and Italy. This event was vital in promoting the de-escalation of tensions between the two nations in the succeeding years.
The Nuclear Peace Theory
Is a theory of IR that argues that under some circumstances nuclear weapons can induce stability and decrease the chances of crisis escalation. A key example of this is during the Cold War
Strengths of the Nuclear Peace Theory
Neo-realist Waltz argued that more nuclear states would be better as it would act to further deter a nuclear war
Weaknesses of the Nuclear Peace Theory
Some argue that it increases proliferation and the chances of nuclear material falling into the hands of a violent non-state actor who does not face the threat of retaliation. According to organisational theorist Sagan more would be worse as it would be harder from states to control
