Answers to research questions

 1. Why were nuclear weapons made?

The first nuclear weapons were made through "The Manhattan Project" in the United States. Nuclear bombs were invented by the US through the Manhattan Project to beat Nazi Germany to the weapon. If they didn't do so, it was understood that Germany would win WWII.

"The Manhattan Project was an unprecedented, top-secret World War II government program in which the United States rushed to develop and deploy the world’s first atomic weapons before Nazi Germany."

Manhattan Project - Manhattan Project National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service). (n.d.). 

The making of the weapons, of course, wasn't a single event but a series of events spanning years and years, starting in 1895 with the discovery of Uranium, and continuing to 1945 with the detonation of the test bomb "Trinity" and the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

         

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sources

Relevant: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

The IAEA is a credible international organization that provides accurate, evidence-based information on nuclear technology, safety, and the effects of nuclear weapons. Its reports and resources are widely trusted by governments, researchers, and policymakers.

https://www.iaea.org/

Perspective from a historian

Perspective 2: Military Historian

As a military historian, I have spent years studying World War II and the decision to use atomic bombs against Hiroshima and Nagasaki. While I recognize the immense human suffering caused by the bombings, I believe the issue is more complex than many people assume.

From my perspective, some historians argue that the bombings contributed to the end of World War II and may have prevented an even deadlier invasion of Japan. Because of this historical debate, I do not believe nuclear weapons can be viewed only as symbols of destruction. Their existence has also influenced military strategy and international relations since 1945.

Today, I support strict controls on nuclear weapons and efforts to reduce stockpiles, but I do not support immediate abolition. I believe policymakers must consider both the humanitarian consequences of nuclear warfare and the security challenges facing modern nations. Understanding Hiroshima requires examining both the tragic human impact and the historical context in which the bomb was used.

Milestones in the history of U.S. Foreign Relations - Office of the Historian. (n.d.) https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/atomic

Research questions

 

1. Why were nuclear weapons made?

2. What country was first to make them?

3. What country was first to use them?

4. What happens in the process of approving the use of nuclear weapons?

5. How involved is the government?

6. Can you survive nuclear-scale explosions?

7. When were they most used?

8. Can you buy nuclear weapons?

9. Who is authorized to use them?

10. Are they still being made?

12. What was the life of the survivors like after the bombing in Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

13. How did the scientists who made the weapons feel after their creations were used?

14. How long did Hiroshima take to rebuild?

15.  How did the tragedy in Hiroshima and Nagasaki change laws in the attacker's country?

16. Do students in this generation know about the Hiroshima bombing?

17. Do students in this generation know about nuclear weapons and the destruction they cause?

18. How are the experiences and stories of the victims of nuclear weapons being told and preserved?

19. How could AI trigger a nuclear launch?

20. How could a nuclear weapon contribute to global warming?

21. Are nuclear weapons still being tested today?

22. Could taxpayers be accidentally funding nuclear weapons?

23. What is the doomsday clock? Does it have anything to do with nuclear weapons?

24. Why did America target Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Why not Tokyo?

25. Why was the bomb dropped on Hiroshima named "Little Boy"?

26. What happens to the environment after a nuclear weapon is used?

27. How can you treat patients who have been exposed to radiation safely?

28. How can you safely destroy or dispose of nuclear weapons?

29. In what way are nuclear weapons being protected from terrorists?

30. Is it realistic for the future to have no nuclear weapons?

The Perspective of a "Hibakusha"

Kuwabara Kimiko. 

I was 17 years old, living in Hiroshima at the time of the bombing. I was working at the Hiroshima Central Broadcast Station in the General Affairs Section. I remember a coworker shouting, "There's a B-29 flying there!" and then a sudden flash. I was red, like a match striking, but so intense it was blinding. At the time, I didn't notice it, but the blast had shattered the windows into tiny fragments, embedding glass into my face and arm, leaving me covered in blood. When I came to, it was pitch black. Trying to survive, I grabbed the belt of a man I had bumped into in the dark and followed him. When we finally made it to the exit, I saw people with their faces covered in blood and something black; we couldn't recognize each other unless we spoke to each other.

 

The National Peace Memorial Halls for the atomic bomb victims in Hiroshima and Nagasaki Global Network. 

(n.d.-b). https://www.global-peace.go.jp/en/taikenki/en_taikenki_syousai.php?gbID=152&dt=260617003223

By Sakura

By

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Banning Nuclear Weapons

The reason we chose this topic is that we believe political conflicts should be resolved through rational discussion, not the threat of mass extinction.

We know that since the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the world has acknowledged the devastating effects of nuclear weapons. Also showing that rational conversation and diplomacy are essential.