Katherine Wang 11/8/11 Hawe 5 The Atomic Bomb: Weapon of Revolution Introduction President Harry S.

Truman described its effects by saying, The release of atomic energy constitutes a new force to revolutionary to consider in the framework of old ideas. Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson said that it was, the most terrible weapon ever known in human history, one bomb of which that could destroy a whole city. Navy Captain William S. Parsons had explained it to the Enola Gay crew as, The bomb you are about to drop is something new in the history of warfare. All three of these historical figures were referencing a newly constructed weapon made during World War II called the atomic bomb. First tested in Alamogordo under the alias of the Manhattan Project and the Trinity test, its effects were most highlighted by its infamous dropping on Japanese cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which left close to a quarter of a million people dead. After sparking a Soviet invasion of Manchuria and, ultimately, the Japanese surrender to World War II, the atomic bomb has been infamously known as powerful and dangerous, completely changing the world and life even today. The development of the atomic bomb in the 1940s was a revolutionary breakthrough in the effectiveness of warfare and weaponry due to its use on Hiroshima and Nagasaki which consequently ended World War II, altered the international perception on nuclear weapons use, and relations between countries. I. The atomic bomb revolutionized warfare by creating a weapon more powerful and devastating compared to past weaponry due to the severe effects that happened when it was first used in World War II on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. A. The atomic bomb was first used in warfare over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which introduced a new revolutionary weapon that produced deadly, catastrophic results which threatened the Japanese government into surrendering World War II. B. The atomic weapon revolutionized warfare tactics, weapons development, medical discoveries, and the importance of international relations. 1. The idea of killing many to prevent many more with an extremely powerful weapon added to warfare tactics. 2. New science and atomic energy were developed along with the atomic bomb to create more weapons and technology. 3. New illnesses and injuries were discovered. 4. New international policies and ties were made between nations. C. The process that led up to the decision of the dropping and the aftermath proved its capability for immense power that was able to inspire the world to make changes to their society. 1. The Trinity Tests successful results first showcased the bombs powers. a. The explosion was seen 200 miles away and heard 40 miles away.

b. It left a 6 ft. deep crater with a 1,200 ft. diameter. c. The 60 ft. high steel tower holding the explosive disintegrated. 2. The bombs target had to be meticulously decided in order to not waste its full potential. 3. When the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and later Nagasaki, the effects were unbelievably devastating, introducing the world to a new detrimental, threatening weapon. a. Only 12% of buildings in Nagasaki were undamaged. b. The Hiroshima population went from 255,000 peoples to 135,000. c. People were vaporized close to the speed of light. d. Shadows that shielded areas from the charring effects left ghostly outlines. e. Heavy, black-tainted rain fell in Hiroshima afterwards, which was highly radioactive, spreading more illness. f. The atomic bomb syndrome was newly introduced from its horrifying symptoms that left the victim dead within days. D. Due to the results of the Trinity Test, the thorough of process of deciding an appropriate target, and the final effects shown in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the world was introduced with a new weapon that was proven to have revolutionary, colossal power that could leave societies destroyed through its lethal consequences, prompting nations to try to defend against this new monster. II. After the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Stalin stressed international relations with the United States and Japan when he reacted to the attack by invading the Japanese-held Manchuria. A. As a response to the Hiroshima atomic bomb attack, Stalin led Soviet troops to invade Manchuria, adding tension to Japan to surrender World War II and significant reaction from world powers during the time. B. When the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Stalin believed that this was threatening the Soviet Union and launched a full-out attack on Manchuria which encouraged Japan to end World War II even more. C. The impact on the Stalin proved the atomic bombs psychological power along with physical, adding to the weapons overall effects. 1. Stalin saw the bombing as a political move by Truman to prevent him from getting the gains in Asia he was promised. 2. Stalin thought that this distorted the Soviet Unions position as an international power. 3. The assault on Manchuria was somewhat already planned, but the bomb pushed Stalin to utilize it earlier. 4. The rapid defeat of the Japanese Kwantung Army showed how Japan was weakening and was one of the significant factors of their WWII surrender.

D. Atomic bomb had been represented as a powerful weapon which could physically destroy whole cities, but it also was able to establish a significant psychological reaction from world powers like the Soviet Union, which staged an invasion of Manchuria in a protest of the imbalance of power along with helping end WWII. III. Japanese Surrender A. The use of the atomic bomb on significant Japanese cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the Manchurian invasion from the Soviet Union triggered Japans decision to surrender to the Allies and end World War II. B. After the threats given by the possibility of more atomic bomb attacks and the defeated Imperial Army, Japan decided to surrender and finally end the World War II, the deadliest conflict in history. C. The Japanese surrender from the atomic bomb proved how truly threatened Japan felt from its power capabilities. 1. The psychological effect on Japan was too unsettling: citizens were fearful of even just one Allied plane due to the possibility it was holding an atomic bomb. 2. Due to the short period between the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Japanese government believed that the United States were holding a enormous storage of these new, extremely powerful weapons, striking terror into the population who was worried that the whole Japanese homeland may be annihilated. 3. The Japanese was also pressured to persuade their leaders to surrender from the panic of their hometowns being destroyed, but also because the United States had also dropped six million leaflets to urge them to do so, too. D. The atomic bombs powers for psychological effects caused the Japanese to finally surrender to World War II, but also ended the tension of international relations caused by the war, leading to the united establishment of international policies constituting nuclear weapon use. IV. Nuclear Arms Policies and Weapons Use Perception A. After the Japanese surrender, the United States worked to establish international nuclear arm policies that constituted the perception of nuclear weapons use which confirmed the fact that the world was entering an atomic era that was caused by the atomic bombing and its new found power. B. The United States began discussing topics such as decisions to share the atomic bomb information with other nations such as the Soviet Union and ways to prevent events like arms races. C. Discussions and Points of View 1. The Secretary of State wanted to use the atomic bomb as a bargaining tool with the Soviet Union, however, the Secretary of War disagreed. a. He thought that this would only amplify the idea of power politics.

b. He thought that sharing the controlling factors of the bomb could bring the world together as a recuperation of the war. c. Continuing to negotiate with the bomb could lead to an arms race. 2. The government held discussions to decide if they should share the information with Allied nations. D. The atomic bombs power proved to be so significantly important as a negotiating tool that to sharing would have to be thoroughly thought out, showing how immensely powerful the bomb was politically as well as being influential enough to create policies to direct its use. Conclusion The atomic bomb was a revolutionary weapon that was first created in the 1940s, yet it still has a powerful impact today. After having its powers shown at Alamogordo as the Trinity Test, it went on to be used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki after extensive target discussions. When the horrifying effects were broadcast to the world, the Soviet Union even responded by launching a massive offensive on Manchuria after feeling threatened by the bombs possibilities. After the Japanese finally surrendered, also greatly impacted by the bomb, talks about sharing this new world menace went on in the United States, ones that had to carefully thought out in order to prevent disasters. The creation of just this one, revolutionary bomb was able to create such a tremendous impact, causing effects that were physically, psychologically, and politically critical in history due to its remarkable power. The colossal impact on the world from the atomic bomb could only be called revolutionary.