Against Military Use of the Atomic Weapon

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Against Military Use of the Atomic Weapon

• Presentation to Pres. Truman Summer, 1945

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INTRODUCTION

• Testing results thus far
• Military arguments against bombing
• Acceptable alternatives

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TESTING RESULTS

• The bomb is far more capable of destruction and
  taking human life than previously thought.
  
• As shown in Warren report, radiation is more
  dangerous than originally thought. Families more
  than 20 miles away were affected by the testing.

http//www.thehistorynet.com/picture/images/0716_l
.jpg
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TESTING RESULTS

• Warren memo goes to to show radiation will be
  distributed unevenly for example, the two
  hotspots detailed 20 miles away from test site
  
• The destructive power of the device, 10,000 tons
  of TNT, according to Dr. Fermi, would undoubtedly
  affect civilian areas.

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Military Arguments

• The bombing is unnecessary militarily because
• Japan is ready to surrender. Undersecretary of
  the Navy Ralph A. Bard has concluded that if the
  U.S. treats the Emperor with sufficient care, the
  surrender of Japan could be concluded after an
  observed test of the weapon
• We are unsure of its military effects.
  Insufficient testing has been completed to show
  if it will have the desired effect.

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Current Situation
http//www.me.utexas.edu/uer/manhattan/debates.ht
ml
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ALTERNATIVES

• Observed testing as suggested by the staff of Oak
  Ridge Laboratories
  
• Allow Japanese to observe the test conducted at a
  remote location under U.N. supervision

Drs. Einstein and Szilard
http//library.thinkquest.org/26074/pages/bomb.htm
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ALTERNATIVES

• Current bombing by Navy planes is sufficient to
  bring Japan to surrender within months WITHOUT
  invasion we are destroying a city a day without
  the atomic bomb

http//history.acusd.edu/gen/st/plewis/img21.gif
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ALTERNATIVES

• The Soviets are ready to invade Japan and make
  U.S. use of the bomb unnecessary
  
• Continued bombing would render kamikaze flights
  useless no invading army or navy to attack or
  bomber with atomic weapons if identified as such

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Web Sites Used

• http//www.dannen.com/decision/trin-rad.html
• http//www.dannen.com/decision/fermi.html
• http//www.dannen.com/decision/bardmemo.html
• http//www.dannen.com/decision/oakridge2.html