The Atomic Bomb Point of View Activity

Students will analyze the different reasons, arguments, thoughts, and more behind the decision to drop the atomic bomb and the recommendation not to use it by completing 3 tasks. They will first read 15 statements and determine if they are for or against dropping an atomic bomb on Japan. They will then read the for and against statements together and put them in a sequential order that would reconstruct part of each primary source they are from. Lastly, they will answer 15 questions. A teacher information page and the answers are included so this could work for a sub. 

Sample questions include:
--Compare and contrast the cost of dropping the bomb with continuing the war without dropping the bomb.
--What was the role of Japan in the decision to drop the bomb?
--Explain how an arms race would have come from building and using an atomic bomb. 
--In what way(s) might America’s standing on the world stage be impacted if the atomic bomb were used?

Click here for more resources from Stephanie's History Store