Ep 12. Hiroshima
- June 22, 2004
"WWII: The World in Crisis" season 1 episode 12, titled "Hiroshima," explores one of the most controversial decisions made by the United States during World War II. The episode covers the events leading up to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and the devastating aftermath that followed.
The episode begins by setting the historical context of the events leading up to the bombing. The United States, along with its allies, had been locked in a bitter and brutal war against Japan since 1941. By 1945, the war had taken a tremendous toll on both sides, with Japan suffering from crippling shortages of supplies and resources.
Against this backdrop, the United States had been developing a top-secret weapon: the atomic bomb. The episode delves into the development of the bomb, from the initial scientific breakthroughs that made it possible to the highly secretive Manhattan Project that oversaw its creation.
The episode also explores the complex decision-making process that led to the bombing of Hiroshima. President Harry Truman, who had only recently assumed the presidency after the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt, was faced with the difficult decision of whether to use the bomb. He was advised by a group of scientists and military leaders, who presented him with various options and scenarios.
Ultimately, Truman made the controversial decision to use the bomb. The episode explores the reasons behind this decision, including the belief that it could bring the war to a swift end and save lives in the long run. The episode also looks at the moral and ethical implications of the decision, including the devastating impact on civilian populations.
The episode then moves into the aftermath of the bombing, which was devastating on a scale never before seen in modern warfare. The city of Hiroshima was completely destroyed, with thousands of people killed instantly and many more dying in the months and years that followed from the effects of radiation.
The episode also looks at the political fallout of the bombing. Japan surrendered shortly after the bombing of Nagasaki, which followed three days after the bombing of Hiroshima. The United States emerged as a world power, with the atomic bomb helping to cement its dominance.
Overall, "WWII: The World in Crisis" season 1 episode 12 is a thought-provoking exploration of one of the most controversial events in modern history. The episode offers a comprehensive look at the historical context, decision-making process, and aftermath of the bombing of Hiroshima, leaving viewers with a deeper understanding of this important moment in world history.
