HIS 102 University of Tampa Atomic Age and World War II Discussion

HIS102 “Of the three arguments presented in the assigned readings do you find most compelling? Why?”

World War II in the Pacific ended when the USA dropped two atomic bombs on Japan. These were the most destructive weapons ever created by man. Upwards of 90,000 people where killed at Hiroshima. Many of those people were vaporized off the face of the earth by the atomic blast. The two bombings, which killed at least 129,000 people, remain the only use of nuclear weapons in history. Thousands more who survived the blast would later die as a result of radiation related illnesses and cancer from the blast. The effects of the radiation also cause birth defects in future generations.

The bombs effectively and quickly ended the war as Japan surrendered when confronted by the massive destruction. However, America’s use of atomic bombs were controversial at the time and to this very day. You will engage the debate for this essay.

The only source to use is the “Atomic Age Viewing and Reading.” (see below)

******Atomic Age Viewing and Reading

Viewing (Read short introduction and watch both parts 1 and 2)

http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/history-of-world-war-ii-hiroshima/ (Links to an external site.)

Readings for Long Essay:

Gar Alperovitz

http://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/30/books/did-we-need-to-drop-it.html?pagewanted=all

Henry Stimson

On the following page begin on p. 3 which the actual article written by Henry Stimson. The intro material is helpful on p. 1 but you should skip the material that outlines the assignment that this cite relates to. Focus on the article itself and Stimson’s position.

http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/ps/japan/stimson_harpers.pdf (Links to an external site.)

Mark Weber

http://www.ihr.org/jhr/v16/v16n3p-4_Weber.html

The question to be addressed is:

“Of the three arguments presented in the assigned readings do you find most compelling? Why?”

Requirements: 800 words minimum. At a minimum the paper should consist of an introduction with a clear thesis (your answer to the question), at least three supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion. Provide a thoughtful response to the question based upon your reading of a set of primary sources, support your answer clearly, and utilize the primary sources as evidence to support your argument.

Use correct citation for all direct references to or direct quotes from the sources. For these papers internal citation is adequate.Internal citation looks like this: (author’s last name, page #).