1. What factors have affected viewpoints on Truman's decision?
There were many factors that affected viewpoints on Truman's decision to use the atomic bombs on Japan. One of them for example, was that when Truman received details of secret Japanese signals that showed that the Japanese military were determined to fight to the finish, Truman came to the conclusion that the bomb had to be used as a 'normal' weapon without any warning. Another reason was that while testing the bomb, all the tests indicated that the bomb was of such power that no country could recover from its impact. From that being said, and the estimated number of casualties if they did invade Japan, Truman believed that since invading Japan would be so dangerous and could kill so many American lives, it was best for them to just use the atomic bomb.
2. Do you think he made the right decision? Give your reasons.
I think that the decision was the right one. Using the atomic bomb saved thousands of American Soldiers lives, and stopped the bloody invasion in Japan from happening. I think the most important thing at the time was to think about how to protect our people, not worry about the others. If we didn't use the atomic bomb, there would have been millions of either dead soldiers, or many casualties. It's often argued that the bomb used on Japan was unnecessary, and immorally wrong. Another reason is that by using the atomic bomb on Japan, we stopped the war from continuing. Since it was said that many military leaders planned to overthrow Hirohito and continue the war. Therefor in conclusion, by using the atomic bombs America successfully stopped the deaths of thousands of American soldiers, and stopped the war from continuing.
Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
War in the Pacific
stop at the page 790 25-3
1. What was the importance of the Battle of Midway?
The battle of Midway was a very important battle because it was known to be the turning point of the war. America had the upper hand in the battle, and caught the Japanese with their planes still on the decks of the carriers. The result of the battle was devastating, the Japanese lost 4 aircraft carriers, a cruiser, and 250 planes. It was said by a Japanese official that America had even "avenged Pearl Harbor" Soon after this battle, America began "island hopping" and island by island they won territory back from the Japanese. Thus making the battle the turning point of the war.
2. What strategy did the United States adopt in fighting Japan?
While fighting Japan, the United States adopted the strategy of island hopping. Where the United States Marine Corps would take one island at a time as they make their way toward Japan.
3. Why did the Japanese fight so hard on Iwo Jima?
The Japanese fought extremely hard on Iwo Jima because it held 20,700 Japanese troops. Also, if America had successfully won the battle on Iwo Jima, this now meant they had one more obstacle (Okinawa) then they would be able to bomb Japan, having it be the end for Japan in the war.
4. Why did the Allies believe Okinawa was a foretaste of an invasion of Japan?
The Allies believed that Okinawa was a foretaste of an invasion of Japan because the battle cost thousands of American lives, and it was overall a very difficult and long battle. Much harder than the battle on Iwo Jima. America realized that the invasion of Japan would cost them even more lives of American soliders, and would be even more of a challenge that the battle in Okinawa.
5. What was the Manhattan Project?
The Manhattan Project was a secret development of the atomic bomb led by General Leslie Groves and by American Scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer. This was where they tested the atomic bomb, which ended successfully.
6. Ultimately, why did President Truman decide to drop atomic bombs on Japan?
President Truman decided to drop the atomic bombs on Japan because he believed this was the only way to end the war with Japan. He had even warned Japan that if they did not surrender now, they would be faced with grave danger soon. But they refused to surrender, giving Truman no choice but to enforce the atomic bombs.
1. What was the importance of the Battle of Midway?
The battle of Midway was a very important battle because it was known to be the turning point of the war. America had the upper hand in the battle, and caught the Japanese with their planes still on the decks of the carriers. The result of the battle was devastating, the Japanese lost 4 aircraft carriers, a cruiser, and 250 planes. It was said by a Japanese official that America had even "avenged Pearl Harbor" Soon after this battle, America began "island hopping" and island by island they won territory back from the Japanese. Thus making the battle the turning point of the war.
2. What strategy did the United States adopt in fighting Japan?
While fighting Japan, the United States adopted the strategy of island hopping. Where the United States Marine Corps would take one island at a time as they make their way toward Japan.
3. Why did the Japanese fight so hard on Iwo Jima?
The Japanese fought extremely hard on Iwo Jima because it held 20,700 Japanese troops. Also, if America had successfully won the battle on Iwo Jima, this now meant they had one more obstacle (Okinawa) then they would be able to bomb Japan, having it be the end for Japan in the war.
4. Why did the Allies believe Okinawa was a foretaste of an invasion of Japan?
The Allies believed that Okinawa was a foretaste of an invasion of Japan because the battle cost thousands of American lives, and it was overall a very difficult and long battle. Much harder than the battle on Iwo Jima. America realized that the invasion of Japan would cost them even more lives of American soliders, and would be even more of a challenge that the battle in Okinawa.
5. What was the Manhattan Project?
The Manhattan Project was a secret development of the atomic bomb led by General Leslie Groves and by American Scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer. This was where they tested the atomic bomb, which ended successfully.
6. Ultimately, why did President Truman decide to drop atomic bombs on Japan?
President Truman decided to drop the atomic bombs on Japan because he believed this was the only way to end the war with Japan. He had even warned Japan that if they did not surrender now, they would be faced with grave danger soon. But they refused to surrender, giving Truman no choice but to enforce the atomic bombs.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
America Moves Toward War
1. What did the 1939 Neutrality Act allow?
The 1939 Neutrality Act allowed warring nations to buy U.S. arms as long as they paid cash and transported them in their own ships. This act was known as "cash and carry".
2. Who were the Axis powers?
The Axis powers were Germany, Italy, and Japan. When they had signed a mutual defense treaty they had been known as that.
3. What did the Lend-Lease Act do?
The Lend-Lease act was a plan that the President would lend or lease arms or other supplies to "any country whose defense was vital to the united states". Roosevelt felt that it was the only sensible thing to do to prevent the fire from spreading to your own property.
4. What pledges were contained in the Atlantic Charter?
The pledges contained in the Atlantic Charter were, collective security, disarmament, self-determination, economic cooperation, and freedom of the seas.
5. Who were the Allies?
The Allies were the nations that had fought the Axis powers.
6. What did the attack at Pearl Harbor do to the U.s. Pacific fleet?
The attack at Pearl Harbor, did a great deal to the U.S. pacific fleet. Japan had caught America off guard with our defenses down so of course the out come was not good. Japan had killed 2,403 Americans, and wounded 1,178 in less than two hours. The surprise raid had a lot sunk or damaged about 21 American ships, including 8 battleships. Which is nearly the WHOLE pacific fleet. These losses constituted greater damage than the U.S. navy had suffered in all of World War 1.
7. Why did Germany and Italy declare war on the U.S.?
Germany and Italy declared war on the United States in response to Roosevelt's declaration of war against Japan.
The 1939 Neutrality Act allowed warring nations to buy U.S. arms as long as they paid cash and transported them in their own ships. This act was known as "cash and carry".
2. Who were the Axis powers?
The Axis powers were Germany, Italy, and Japan. When they had signed a mutual defense treaty they had been known as that.
3. What did the Lend-Lease Act do?
The Lend-Lease act was a plan that the President would lend or lease arms or other supplies to "any country whose defense was vital to the united states". Roosevelt felt that it was the only sensible thing to do to prevent the fire from spreading to your own property.
4. What pledges were contained in the Atlantic Charter?
The pledges contained in the Atlantic Charter were, collective security, disarmament, self-determination, economic cooperation, and freedom of the seas.
5. Who were the Allies?
The Allies were the nations that had fought the Axis powers.
6. What did the attack at Pearl Harbor do to the U.s. Pacific fleet?
The attack at Pearl Harbor, did a great deal to the U.S. pacific fleet. Japan had caught America off guard with our defenses down so of course the out come was not good. Japan had killed 2,403 Americans, and wounded 1,178 in less than two hours. The surprise raid had a lot sunk or damaged about 21 American ships, including 8 battleships. Which is nearly the WHOLE pacific fleet. These losses constituted greater damage than the U.S. navy had suffered in all of World War 1.
7. Why did Germany and Italy declare war on the U.S.?
Germany and Italy declared war on the United States in response to Roosevelt's declaration of war against Japan.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
"Isolationism" and FDR (1935 - 1941)
1. What were the goals of the isolationists? Why is "isolationism" a misleading term?
The goals of the isolationists were to stay our of the war, keeping the peace, and staying neutral by not taking any sides. Isolationism is a misleading term because the term implies that the United States wants to isolate itself completely from other nations but that was not the case. Most supporters of isolationism favored international trade and a certain bilateral agreements in the 1930's. Most also respected the international laws that had been put up in place since WW1.
2. What did some isolationists feel that there was no need for Americans to feel threatened by developments in Europe and Asia?
Most isolationists felt that there was no need for americans to feel threatened by developments in Europe and Asia because the vast pacific and atlantic oceans insulated the country from troubles in those regions, and the United States had formed friendly alliances with all the other nations in the Western hemisphere.
3. What were the purposes of the Nye Committee hearings?
The purposes of the Nye Committee hearings was to investigate the reasons why the United States had entered WW1, uncover these reasons to make the public aware, and to make the sure the United States would stay out of the brewing troubles.
4. List two impressions that the Nye Committee hearings created.
First, they created the impression that American soldiers had died in WW1 because corporations looking to turn a profit had convinced President Wilson in 1917 to go to war. Secondly, they created the impression that it made Americans believe that big business again would drag them into another war.
5. What were the purposes of the Neutrality Acts?
The purposes of the Neutrality Acts were to:
-keep america from choosing sides in the war
-bring the armament industry under the control of the government
-prohibit the shipping of arms and weapons to nations at war
-make it so no americans on warring country's ships or american ships in the war
6. List two reasons that some Americans considered Roosevelt's leadership radical and dangerous.
One reason that some Americans considered Roosevelt's leadership radical and dangerous is that he tried to pack the supreme court with leaders favoring his own opinion that made him look more as a dictator. Another reason, is that FDR attempted to become president a third term which therefore convinced people that he was becoming too powerful and therefore dangerous.
7. What was "Cash and Carry"?
"Cash and Carry" was the main thrust of the new act, passed in November of 1939. This new neutrality act allowed the United States to continue trading with belligerents, but required that the warring nations pay cash for what they wanted and that they carry the goods themselves.
8. Why did President Roosevelt freeze Japanese assets in the United States?
President Roosevelt freezed Japanese assets in the United States because he believed that Japan was moving too aggressively and after Japan took control of northern French Indochina FDR could not take it anymore and thought action needed to be taken.
9. What was the purpose of the America First Committee?
The purpose of the American first committee was to devote itself to keeping the Untied States out of war.
The goals of the isolationists were to stay our of the war, keeping the peace, and staying neutral by not taking any sides. Isolationism is a misleading term because the term implies that the United States wants to isolate itself completely from other nations but that was not the case. Most supporters of isolationism favored international trade and a certain bilateral agreements in the 1930's. Most also respected the international laws that had been put up in place since WW1.
2. What did some isolationists feel that there was no need for Americans to feel threatened by developments in Europe and Asia?
Most isolationists felt that there was no need for americans to feel threatened by developments in Europe and Asia because the vast pacific and atlantic oceans insulated the country from troubles in those regions, and the United States had formed friendly alliances with all the other nations in the Western hemisphere.
3. What were the purposes of the Nye Committee hearings?
The purposes of the Nye Committee hearings was to investigate the reasons why the United States had entered WW1, uncover these reasons to make the public aware, and to make the sure the United States would stay out of the brewing troubles.
4. List two impressions that the Nye Committee hearings created.
First, they created the impression that American soldiers had died in WW1 because corporations looking to turn a profit had convinced President Wilson in 1917 to go to war. Secondly, they created the impression that it made Americans believe that big business again would drag them into another war.
5. What were the purposes of the Neutrality Acts?
The purposes of the Neutrality Acts were to:
-keep america from choosing sides in the war
-bring the armament industry under the control of the government
-prohibit the shipping of arms and weapons to nations at war
-make it so no americans on warring country's ships or american ships in the war
6. List two reasons that some Americans considered Roosevelt's leadership radical and dangerous.
One reason that some Americans considered Roosevelt's leadership radical and dangerous is that he tried to pack the supreme court with leaders favoring his own opinion that made him look more as a dictator. Another reason, is that FDR attempted to become president a third term which therefore convinced people that he was becoming too powerful and therefore dangerous.
7. What was "Cash and Carry"?
"Cash and Carry" was the main thrust of the new act, passed in November of 1939. This new neutrality act allowed the United States to continue trading with belligerents, but required that the warring nations pay cash for what they wanted and that they carry the goods themselves.
8. Why did President Roosevelt freeze Japanese assets in the United States?
President Roosevelt freezed Japanese assets in the United States because he believed that Japan was moving too aggressively and after Japan took control of northern French Indochina FDR could not take it anymore and thought action needed to be taken.
9. What was the purpose of the America First Committee?
The purpose of the American first committee was to devote itself to keeping the Untied States out of war.
Monday, February 22, 2010
World Events Set Stage for Isolationism
1. What was the Japanese reaction to the Treaty of Versailles?
The reaction was different for the Japanese. Some believed that their country should
engage the great powers and support the international systems. Others on the other hand, believed that the great powers, particularly Britain, France, and the U.S. would never treat Japan fairly and with respect. In Japan, some often worried that the proposed League of Nations would be used to keep Japan as a second-tier power.
2. Read the pull-out box on page 4 entitled, "Japan Becomes a Great Power." Cite specific evidence Japan was becoming a strong power that rivaled European & American interests. And, why specifically was Japan threatened by U.S. actions?
Japan was becoming a strong power that rivaled European and American interests. An example of Japan's rapid increasing power would be how between 1885 and 1920 its gross domestic product, or all of the goods produced by Japan, increased threefold. Manufacturing and mining increased six-fold. Also, in 1905 Japan defeated Russia in the Russo- Japanese War and gained access to Manchuria. Japan was also interested in expanding into China. But other powers, such as Britain and the United States saw Japaneses interests in conflict with their own designs.
3. Why was the Washington Naval Conference convened and what was accomplished?
The Washington Naval Conference came together because Japan's growth as a naval power in the Pacific threatened U.S. interests. Participants in the conference aimed at limiting a naval arms race and to discuss issues related to nations of the Pacific ocean and the Far East. It's accomplishments were the limitation of the sizes of naval ships, the placing of a moratorium on building new battle ships, the outlaw of the use of poison gases, and the limitation of the role of submarines in future wars.
4. The Senate's willingness to ratify the Kellogg-Briand Pact relected two strong and widely held sentiments. What were they?
First, the United States was entitled to act in self-defense militarily and second, that it was not required to enforce the treaty by taking military action against those who violated it.
5. Why did Hitler enjoy popular support in Germany for most of the 1930s? Give three reasons.
Because he improved the economic situation, reduced unemployment, and restored national pride for Germans still humiliated by the defeat in WWI and by how poor they became.
6. Japan voiced its intentions to invade China for what two reasons?
One, for obtaining raw materials, and two to increase Japan's power.
7. Compare the Reichstag fire and the explosion on the Japanese railway in Manchuria. What did they accompllish?
The Reichstag fire was blamed on German communists who Hitler claimed were trying to overthrow the government by inciting civil war. As for accomplishment for Hitler, Hitler used the fire as an excuse to suspend the freedoms garaunteed by the German constitution, including the right of speech, press, and assembly. The explosion on the Japanese railway in Manchuria was blamed on Chinese dissidents by the Japanese. These two explosions/fires are similar because historians today argue that Japanese bombed their own railways so that they could blame the Chinese and use it as an excuse to invade them. Historians had also believed that the Nazi's themselves had started the fire in Reichstag.
8. Why was the united States unable to oppose Japan in the early 1930s with a significant military force?
The United States was unable to oppose Japan in the early 1930's with a significant military force because their army became the most powerful bureaucratic institution in the government, and became more influential in the decision-making. By the late 1930's japan had become a militarized state intent on expanding into China and beyond.
9. Describe the major similarities and differences among liberal democracy, fascism, and socialism.
Fascism is an authoritarian form of government that emerged in Italy and then was later adopted by the Nazi Party in Germany. Fascism puts the economy under government control, and emphasizes the control of state over the individual. Socialism hoped to create a classless society that would end the exploitation of the workers. Both socialist and fascist leaders saw their systems as the wave of the future and therefore as a challenge to liberal democracies of Europe and the united states. Liberal democracies have a constitution, with elective representatives whose decision-making is regulated by a rule of law that emphasizes the rights and freedoms of individuals. Liberal Democracies are very different from fascism because it cares more about the rights of the people, and the power of the people before the government.
The reaction was different for the Japanese. Some believed that their country should
engage the great powers and support the international systems. Others on the other hand, believed that the great powers, particularly Britain, France, and the U.S. would never treat Japan fairly and with respect. In Japan, some often worried that the proposed League of Nations would be used to keep Japan as a second-tier power.
2. Read the pull-out box on page 4 entitled, "Japan Becomes a Great Power." Cite specific evidence Japan was becoming a strong power that rivaled European & American interests. And, why specifically was Japan threatened by U.S. actions?
Japan was becoming a strong power that rivaled European and American interests. An example of Japan's rapid increasing power would be how between 1885 and 1920 its gross domestic product, or all of the goods produced by Japan, increased threefold. Manufacturing and mining increased six-fold. Also, in 1905 Japan defeated Russia in the Russo- Japanese War and gained access to Manchuria. Japan was also interested in expanding into China. But other powers, such as Britain and the United States saw Japaneses interests in conflict with their own designs.
3. Why was the Washington Naval Conference convened and what was accomplished?
The Washington Naval Conference came together because Japan's growth as a naval power in the Pacific threatened U.S. interests. Participants in the conference aimed at limiting a naval arms race and to discuss issues related to nations of the Pacific ocean and the Far East. It's accomplishments were the limitation of the sizes of naval ships, the placing of a moratorium on building new battle ships, the outlaw of the use of poison gases, and the limitation of the role of submarines in future wars.
4. The Senate's willingness to ratify the Kellogg-Briand Pact relected two strong and widely held sentiments. What were they?
First, the United States was entitled to act in self-defense militarily and second, that it was not required to enforce the treaty by taking military action against those who violated it.
5. Why did Hitler enjoy popular support in Germany for most of the 1930s? Give three reasons.
Because he improved the economic situation, reduced unemployment, and restored national pride for Germans still humiliated by the defeat in WWI and by how poor they became.
6. Japan voiced its intentions to invade China for what two reasons?
One, for obtaining raw materials, and two to increase Japan's power.
7. Compare the Reichstag fire and the explosion on the Japanese railway in Manchuria. What did they accompllish?
The Reichstag fire was blamed on German communists who Hitler claimed were trying to overthrow the government by inciting civil war. As for accomplishment for Hitler, Hitler used the fire as an excuse to suspend the freedoms garaunteed by the German constitution, including the right of speech, press, and assembly. The explosion on the Japanese railway in Manchuria was blamed on Chinese dissidents by the Japanese. These two explosions/fires are similar because historians today argue that Japanese bombed their own railways so that they could blame the Chinese and use it as an excuse to invade them. Historians had also believed that the Nazi's themselves had started the fire in Reichstag.
8. Why was the united States unable to oppose Japan in the early 1930s with a significant military force?
The United States was unable to oppose Japan in the early 1930's with a significant military force because their army became the most powerful bureaucratic institution in the government, and became more influential in the decision-making. By the late 1930's japan had become a militarized state intent on expanding into China and beyond.
9. Describe the major similarities and differences among liberal democracy, fascism, and socialism.
Fascism is an authoritarian form of government that emerged in Italy and then was later adopted by the Nazi Party in Germany. Fascism puts the economy under government control, and emphasizes the control of state over the individual. Socialism hoped to create a classless society that would end the exploitation of the workers. Both socialist and fascist leaders saw their systems as the wave of the future and therefore as a challenge to liberal democracies of Europe and the united states. Liberal democracies have a constitution, with elective representatives whose decision-making is regulated by a rule of law that emphasizes the rights and freedoms of individuals. Liberal Democracies are very different from fascism because it cares more about the rights of the people, and the power of the people before the government.
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