Thu 11/3: Dawn of the Nuclear Age

Introduction:

• The goal of today’s class is to consider the following question:
  • How should we remember the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
• ​We will address this question by reviewing two common narratives used to articulate the significance of these incidents on 6 August and 9 August 1945, considering a handful of short primary source excerpts, and then selecting a photograph that best represents our own view of the events.

Two narratives:

The following selections are from a book written by historian John Dower in which he explains two different ways that the dropping of the atomic bombs is remembered. The source for both passages is John W. Dower, “Three Narratives of Our Humanity,” in Edward T. Linenthal and Tom Engelhardt, eds., History Wars: The Enola Gay and Other Battles for the American Past (New York: Metropolitan Books, 1996). Both passages (and this lesson) are adapted from the Stanford History Education Group (SHEG).

• Viewpoint #1: Hiroshima as Victimization
  
  
  • Japanese still recall the war experience primarily in terms of their own victimization. For them, World War II calls to mind the deaths of family and acquaintances on distant battlefields, and, more vividly, the prolonged, systematic bombings of their cities.
    
    If it is argued that the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima was necessary to shock the Japanese to surrender, how does one justify the hasty bombing of Nagasaki only three days later, before the Japanese had time to investigate Hiroshima and formulate a response?
    
    
• Viewpoint #2: Hiroshima as Triumph
  
  
  • To most Americans, Hiroshima — the shattered, atomized, irradiated city — remains largely a symbol of triumph, marking the end of a horrendous global conflict and the effective demonstration of a weapon that has prevented another world war.
    
    It is hard to imagine that the Japanese would have surrendered without the atomic bomb. Japanese battle plans that were in place when the bombs were dropped called for a massive, suicidal defense of the home islands, in which the imperial government would mobilize not only several million fighting men but also millions of ordinary citizens who had been trained and indoctrinated to resist to the end with primitive makeshift weapons. For Japanese to even discuss capitulation (surrender) was seditious (against the law).
    
    

Initial discussion:

1. How would you summarize (in a sentence) the core elements of each viewpoint?
2. Which narrative resonates most with you? Why?
3. Drawing from our course so far, what additional narratives might exist about the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

Analyzing documents:

• Take a few minutes to read the document packet handed to you twice:
  • The first time you read the excerpts, respond in the form of brief annotations from the perspective of viewpoint #1.
  • The second time you read the excerpts, again respond in the form of brief annotations, but do so from the perspective of viewpoint #2.
• Consider (and discuss together):
  • How these documents support one, both, or an entirely different viewpoint(s)?
  • Has your own viewpoint shifted as you read these documents?
  • What kinds of additional documents might you look for as a historian to develop your own argument?

Final task:

• Search online to find a photograph that best supports your own viewpoint on the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
  • Write a 1-2 sentence caption to accompany your photograph.
  • Be prepared to defend your selection to the class.