Assignment: The Nuclear Age

Japanese Internment Camp Video Clip

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ALTERNATIVES TO USING THE ATOMIC BOMB


Alternatives to using atomic weapons against Japan in August of 1945:

1) A massive invasion of Japan, expected to cost millions of Allied casualties

2) A naval blockade to starve Japan, along with continued conventional bombing

3) A demonstration of the new weapon on a deserted island to pressure Japan to surrender

4) A softening of Allied demands for an unconditional surrender

Interim Committee: scientists, military leaders, and government officials met in the

Spring of 1945 to discuss the before mentioned ideas; they could not recommend any of

the alternatives.

The only alternative really debated was #3. Why were they unable to recommend this alternative?

1) They believed nothing less than dropping a bomb on a city would convince the Japanese to surrender;

2) the test might be a dud;

3) the Japanese might shoot down the delivery plane or move American prisoners of war into the test area;

4) fierce fighting and an unwillingness to surrender at Iwo Jima and Okinawa made many members of the Interim Committee doubt the effectiveness of a demonstration.

CNN "Nuclear weapons: Who has what?

The Washington Post- Nuclear Overview

D-Day Infographic

Click on the D-Day infographic to enlarge for better viewing:

Blank WWII Practice Maps

Click: practice maps

Holocaust Maps

Click here to retrieve the Holocaust maps.

Dr. Seuss Goes to War

Click here to access a selection of Dr. Seuss' WWII political cartoons.

Some interesting WWII (quick) reads.

To read about the historical background of Star Wars, especially Nazi Germany, click here.

To read "The Ten Most Wanted Nazi War Criminals" click here.

To read "How South America Became a Nazi Haven" click here.

Video: The Fallen of WWII

Click here to access the video clip we watched in class looking at the number of deaths, both military and civilian, caused by WWII.

WWII Movies

Some of you asked about WWII movies (or WWII era). I put a couple collages together of film options. Some are more SERIOUS and HISTORICALLY based than others. I actually have not watched all of these. So, I'm not an expert, nor do I take responsibility for anything depicted in these films.

First, I would personally recommend these two fantastic HBO series:

Band of Brothers (based on the book of the same name by author Stephen Ambrose, miniseries created by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks) follows an airborne unit throughout their experiences in Europe during WWII (you will see a clip from this soon).

It is AMAZING.


The Pacific is very well done too (also made by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks; they are supposedly working on a third series for HBO based on the air war).

Below you will find a couple more collages of WWII era films. My favorites are Saving Private Ryan and Schindler's List. Both are difficult to watch, especially Schindler's List. Both are graphic and will most likely upset you, either for the physical violence or the emotional abuse depicted. 

Disclaimer: Before watching any films, you should get your parents' permission. Many are rated R. I am not responsible for any of you choosing to watch films against your parents' wishes.

Honors: The Greatest Generation Reading Schedule

Due Wednesday, January 11……xxv-84     Generations, The Time of Their Lives, Ordinary People

Due Wednesday, January 18…...85-180      Homefront, Heroes, Women in Uniform and Out

Due Wednesday, January 25…...181-268    Shame, Love, Marriage, and Commitment

Due Wednesday, February 1…..269-326     Famous People

Due Friday, February 10.…...…327-390     The Arena, The Twilight of Their Lives

WWII Unit Syllabus

Click here for the Honors syllabus.

Click here for the Regular syllabus.