Explaining (and Defending) the Nuclear Bombing of Japan -- Colin's Last Stand (Episode 39)
In 1945, the United States dropped not one, but two nuclear bombs on Japan, ending World War II. The alternative to this controversial move? An invasion of the Japanese Home Islands that would have cost the lives of millions. Harry Truman, as it turns out, made the right call.
CORRECTION: At 7:26, the video erroneously states Gadget's explosion as equaling a force of 20 million tons of TNT. The explosion was actually equivalent to 22 kilotons -- or 22,000 tons of TNT -- or 909 times less than stated. Oppenheimer is probably rolling over in his grave. I apologize for the error.
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Bibliography/Reading List:
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https://www.osti.gov/opennet/manhattan-project-history/Events/1945/hiroshima.htm
https://www.osti.gov/opennet/manhattan-project-history/Events/1945/nagasaki.htm
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https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/books-and-monographs/the-final-months-of-the-war-with-japan-signals-intelligence-u-s-invasion-planning-and-the-a-bomb-decision/final.pdf
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