The Atomic Bomb

How did the atomic bomb affect the Cold War?

America's use of nuclear weapons against Japan in 1945 increased tension and distrust between the superpowers.

Why did America use nuclear weapons?

There is disagreement about why America did this. There are 2 main theories.

• ❖ The first theory says the Americans had no choice. Japan had been allied with Nazi Germany during the Second World War, and the USA believed the use of nuclear weapons would force the Japanese to surrender.
• ❖ The second theory is that the Americans did this as a way of showcasing their military power, to try to intimidate the Soviet Union before the coming Cold War.

Who ordered the nuclear bomb to be dropped in 1945?

President Harry Truman authorised the use of nuclear weapons against Japan.

Which cities did the Americans attack with nuclear weapons?

The Americans launched nuclear attacks against the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

How many people died when the Americans used nuclear weapons against Japan?

Around 70,000 died in the initial blast at Hiroshima, and a further 40,000 at Nagasaki. Many more died over the coming weeks, months and years from severe burns and radiation poisoning.

How did the atomic bomb cause tension in the Cold War?

There were 3 key ways that dropping the nuclear bomb affected the Cold War.

• ❖ Truman had deliberately delayed the Potsdam meeting so that America could test the atomic bomb.
• ❖ Truman kept the existence of America's nuclear technology a secret until the attack and refused to share the technology. This created distrust and tension with the USSR.
• ❖ The dropping of the bomb made the USSR determined to possess its own nuclear weapon to even the stakes. This laid the ground for the later arms race between the superpowers.