Presidents of the USA in Their Younger Days

All of the American presidents at their young age

The Manhattan Project was the US Government’s secret military project established in 1942 which aimed to produce the US’ first nuclear weapon. Fears of Nazi Germany creating a nuclear weapon during the Second World War sparked the establishment of the Manhattan Project. The US physicists J. Robert Oppenheimer and Leslie R. Groves headed a team of the finest US scientists, engineers, mathematicians in conjunction with the European scientists Albert Einstein, Enrico Fermi and Leo Sizlard to participate in the Manhatten Project. The Project was divided into three main research and production facilities at Oak Ridge, Hanford and Los Alamos. By the end of the project, the Project conjured a substantial amount of Uranium -235 (a rare isotope of Uranium) to produce the Little Boy and Big Boy atomic weapons.

1. Describe the dropping of the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Why were these chosen? Give details of the bombs and the physical destruction they caused. (At least a page).

On May 10th 1915, the Target committee at Los Amos led by Robert Oppenheimer decided on which targets that would be suitable to ‘bomb’. They recommended the cities Kyoto, Hiroshima, Yokohama and Kokura. The committee managed to agree that the atomic weapons should not be used on a military target due to the chance of missing them and instead, they decided on a more ‘civilian’ based target.

Hiroshima was eventually chosen due to its large size, civilian population of 225,000 people, military significance and vast hills that surrounded the city that would create a ‘focusing effect’ and thereby, intensify the destructive capacity of the bomb. During the time of the bombing of the city, it was home to the headquarters of the 5th division, housing Field Marhsal Shunkoro Hata’s 2nd General Headquarters. Furthermore, it served as a minor supple and logistics base with could act as a storage area for the assembly of troops, whilst acting as a communication hub. Its ability to produce toxins and chemicals that were used against the Chinese also enticed the committee to choose the city.

The bombing of Hiroshima took place on August 6th, 1945. The Enola Gay, a B-29 Superfortress of the 393d Bombardment Squadron was accompanied accompanied by two other B-29 Superfortresses, one containing instrumentation and the other a photography equipment. The bomb ‘Little Boy’ was released uneventfully at 8:15 (Hiroshima Time). The gun-type fission bomb with 60Kg of uranium-235 took 57 seconds to fall from the aircraft and detonate 600m on top of the city. A blast equivalent to 13 kilotons of TNT ripped the heart out of Hiroshima. The nuclear explosion consisted of five interlinked effects: heat, light, blast, fallout and electromagnetic pulse (EMP)

The immediate aftermath of the bombing would produce a death toll of 70,000 people. By 1950, the figure would climb up to 200,000 people due to the long-term illnesses experienced by victims who were within the vicinity of the bomb blast.

Similarly, the atomic bombing of Nagasaki was chosen due to its military significance. During the war, it was the largest sea port in Southern Japan that bustled with industrial activity, producing ordnance, ships and military equipment. On the morning og August 9, 1945, a US B-29 Superfortress by the name of Bockscar flew out to engage the city of Kokura (Nagasaki at this stage was a secondary target). When a 70% cloud cover was reported over Kokura, the bomber changed course to Nagasaki and at 11:01, dropped the atomic weapon ‘Fat Man’. The 6.4kg plutonium-239 cor was dropped over the city’s industrial valley  and caused a casualty rate of 40,000 – 75,000 people. By the end of 1945, it would increase to 80,000.

“The atomic bomb was more than a weapon of terrible destruction; it was a psychological weapon” US Secretary of War Henry L. Stinson, 1947.

1. What was the immediate reaction of Western media to the dropping of the bombs?

This reaction is based off a BBC news article written a few days after the bombing of Hiroshima.

The Western media seemed to take positive militaristic view on the bombing of Hiroshima. A major component of the sense of ‘accomplishent’ on the droppings of the atomic weapon seemed to be based on America’s achievements on of “harnessing the basic power of the Universe” (Harry S. Trumann) by embracing science as “British and American science has outpaced all German efforts” (Winston Churchill). The Western Media appear to have praised the destruction of Japan that had effectively ended the Second World War and neglected the drastically large loss of life necessary to achieve so, particularly on the civilian population.

You should always care friends! And you should know some facts about the ceremony that places the next leader of the Free World on the throne! Here we go then.

1. George Washington gave the shortest Inauguration speech in the history of Inaugurations in 1793. He was said to have spoke only 135 words. (This factoid is 27 words.)

2. In 1801 Thomas Jefferson was the first President Inaugurated at the Capitol in Washington, D.C.

3. Abraham Lincoln was the first President to include African-Americans in his Inaugural Parade in 1865.

4. In 1925 Calvin Coolidge was the first President to be sworn in at the Inauguration while being broadcast over the radio nationwide.

5. Harry S. Truman’s Presidential Inauguration was the first broadcast over television nationwide.

6. President Bill Clinton’s 2nd Inauguration was first to be broadcast over the Internet in 1997.

7. Lyndon Johnson is the only President sworn into office by a woman (U.S. District Judge Sarah Hughes in 1963).

8. Woodrow Wilson was the first President to include women in his Inauguration Parade in 1917.

9. John Quincy Adams was the first President sworn in while wearing long trousers in the 1825 Inauguration.

10. The first Presidential Inauguration to be photographed was that of James Buchanan in 1857.

11. William McKinley’s Inauguration was the first ceremony to be recorded by a motion picture camera in 1897.

12. President Jimmie Carter’s Inauguration included handicapped accessible viewing stands and solar heated stands in 1977.

13. Five Inaugurations or swearing ceremonies were held in cities other than Washington, D.C. [New York, Philadelphia, Dallas, Plymouth, Vt., and Buffalo].

14. Theodore Roosevelt was the only President sworn in at his Inauguration that did not place his hand on a Bible during the ceremony.

15. Until 1937 were inaugurated in March in an effort to avoid bad weather. The 20th Amendment changed the inaugural date to January 20th.

January 1, 1945, it was thought of as just a typical Monday, beginning a new year. Unaware, the citizens of the world were in for an eventful 365 days. The year of 1945 was not just any ordinary year. Whether it was Liberation of Auchwitz by Soviet Forces, the dropping of the Atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki or something as simple as the Detroit Tigers beating the Chicago Cubs in the World Series, things happened in 1945. It’s that simple. In my opinion the most impacting event in 1945 would be Truman approving to drop the atomic bombs on Japan. I think that this event really changed the way other countries viewed the United States in the past and present.

Serving four terms in office, which is still exclusive to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, FDR served a very efficient presidency and unfortunately it had come to an end, due to death. FDR is responsible for helping our nation overcome some of its toughest struggles. By creating the “New Deal” our country was able to prevail through the Great Depression and establish the United Nations, which still keeps our nations intact today. Having some big shoes to fill, it was now time for someone to replace Roosevelt.

The thirty-third presidency had now taken effect. Native to Lamar, Missouri, Harry S. Truman confidently took over FDR’s presidency. Truman was well aware of the role he was about to assume. The Americans having no idea what to expect, had some changes on the way.

Truman began his presidency with the conclusion of World War II, which had ended smoothly and to according to plan. Now that the war was in the past, it was now time to better the country for the future. He knew what the country would need to better itself and planned to take every step possible. Truman titled his first year of presidency the “Year of Decisions”.

“The Buck Stops Here”, the quote that was printed on a wooden sign that sat on Truman’s desk in the White House. This saying has a very important meaning, especially to a president or person of high authority. This quote means that a decision must be made at this point and it cannot be passed on to anyone else. Truman had a great attitude towards his job and wasn’t afraid of making decisions, bettering the United States was Truman’s goal.

Harry S. Truman proved that he wasn’t afraid to make challenging decisions throughout his presidency but especially on the 6^th and 9^th days of August 1945. With Truman’s approval, The United States dropped two atomic bombs, one named “Little Boy” and the other “Fat Man” on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. There were many reasons for this attack on Japan, but the main goal of the United States was to end the Pacific War. The Pacific War had ended which also resulted in the official ending of World War II.

Making the choice to drop the atomic bombs on Japan was a great decision in my opinion. I think doing this changed the enemies’ viewpoints of our country. Truman proved that we were serious and that our capabilities were threatening. This instilled a fear of the Red, White and Blue. Many allies were gained due to this fear, which strengthened our country for the present and future.