World War II in the Pacific


Part One:  The Nature of Warfare in the Pacific


Read the information contained in the essays at the following websites, paying particular attention to the following aspects of the nature of America's war in the Pacific:
  1. The major differences between the war in Europe and the War in the Pacific;
  2. How the Battle of Okinawa epitomized the war in the Pacific;
  3. The factors that went into the decision to use the atomic bomb.

(Though it is not required, you might check out the US Department of Energies history of the Manhattan Project.)


Part Two:  Assessing the Decision to Drop the Bomb


There are three major arguments that you need to assess.  In doing so, summarize the main points of the arguments listed below and then critique the argument using any logic you deem appropriate.  You may do this in an essay or in an argument brief using bullet points.  Be ready to defend your position in class.

The first two will be the easiest for you to deal with, while the third might be a little more difficult.  In dealing with the third position consider the memory of Pearl Harbor, the nature of warfare in the Pacific, and the chronology of Harry Truman's presidency.


Argument One:  Dropping the bomb on Japan was done out of military necessity, bringing about a swift conclusion to the Pacific war.

Argument Two:  The decision to drop the bomb on Japan was a diplomatically strategic move that dealt a major blow to the growing threat posed by the Soviet Union.

Argument Three:  In many ways and for many reasons, President Harry Truman had no other choice but to use the atomic bomb.






The following map might provide some context for this assignment as a whole.