The Creation Of Atomic Bombs

In 1941, scientist Albert Einstein persuaded President Franklin D. Roosevelt to fund the nuclear weapons project. Atomic bombs were not tested nor scientists knew very little about the bombs. Scientists were not in agreement on the possible effects of the atomic weapons.

(Hershey)

Albert Einstein ... a voice for the oppressed.(Corbis)

Declaring War On Japan

On December 8th, 1941, the United States declared war on Japan after Japanese forces launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor killing 2400 people and damaging 20 naval vessels and 300 airplanes.

(Hershey)

Manhattan Project Launched

On August 13th, 1942, the Manhattan Project was officially launched to build nuclear weapons. The first big funding received from US President Franklin D. Roosevelt “Ordered an initial allotment of $500 million”.
(Banerjee)

Battleship USS West Virginia, center, begins to sink after suffering heavy damage, while the USS Maryland, left, is still afloat in Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii.
(KVLY)

One of the three sites that has been included in the Manhattan Project National Historical Park.
(Tenn)

Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima.(Rosenthal)

The War Continues

American casualties and Japanese attitudes set tons of pressure on the leaders to end the war. On May 7th, 1945, Germany surrendered unconditionally. But the war with the Japanese raged on in the Pacific. America left millions of Japanese homeless and naval blockades cut off food. Japan did not surrender because it would mean total disgrace and feared their emperor would execute or abolish his royal family.

(Banerjee)

Invasion Of Japan

On June 18th, 1945, President Truman held a conference to invade Japan. The invasion began on November 1st, 1945, targeting the island of Kyushu and Honshu. This invasion predicted 31,000-50,0000 Americans died in the first month, which terrified Truman. Truman still approved the possible invasion plan and also considered dropping the ultimate weapon, the first atomic bomb.
(Banerjee)

Potsdam Conference

The Potsdam Conference began on July 15th, 1945, in the suburb of Berlin. The conference was between Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, and Harry Truman. Truman talked about the use of nuclear weapons, but Stalin already knew because he had soviet agents working at the Manhattan Project headquarters. The Potsdam Conference declared that Japan must surrender unconditionally or there would be destruction. The Japanese Government made it clear they would ignore the message.
(Banerjee)

2,600 Japanese POWs (Pool Photos)

Leaders of the “Big Three” countries of the anti-Hitler coalition at the Potsdam conference. (Khaldei)