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Background to the Bomb

Background to the Bomb. Aim: To understand the situation of the main powers affected by the decision to drop the Atomic Bomb in 1945. USSR – Political situation. The USSR was a communist country It was a one party dictatorship The leader of the USSR was Joseph Stalin

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Background to the Bomb

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  1. Background to the Bomb Aim: To understand the situation of the main powers affected by the decision to drop the Atomic Bomb in 1945.

  2. USSR – Political situation • The USSR was a communist country • It was a one party dictatorship • The leader of the USSR was Joseph Stalin • Despite the struggle of World War Two the regime was secure, especially after victory in Europe

  3. USSR – Military situation • The USSR had helped UK and USA beat Germany in Europe and now occupied most of Eastern Europe • The USSR was eager to ‘help’ in the East – they had promised to join the war within three months of defeating Germany

  4. USSR – Economic & Social • It was becoming an economic superpower • The rights of the individual were less important than the good of society • Nearly a quarter of Soviet property was destroyed during the war • Food was strictly rationed

  5. USA – Political situation • The USA was a democracy • It was a capitalist country • For Americans being free of government control was more important than everyone being equal • They believed other countries should be run the American way • They were anti-communist

  6. USA – Military situation • America turned the tide on Japan with naval victories in the Coral Sea (May 1942) and Midway (June 1942) • They followed a policy of island hopping • American industry was turning out a huge amount of military equipment – ‘the arsenal of democracy’

  7. USA – Economic & Social • America was the world’s wealthiest country • There were extremes – great wealth and great poverty at the same time • Capitalism meant business and property were privately owned • ‘Social’ problems were forgotten during the war • Unemployment disappeared and wages doubled

  8. Japan – Political situation • Japan was ruled by an Emperor • Most power was held by the military – with generals leading the government • By the middle of 1944 many leaders, including the Emperor, thought Japan was going to lose • The Japanese people remained loyal throughout the war

  9. Japan – Military situation • Following Pearl Harbor Japan conquered a great deal of land in Asia • By May 1942 they had overrun Burma, Malaya, Dutch East Indies, Singapore and the Philippines • They were making progress towards Australia • As the war turned against them used weapons such as Kamikaze (divine wind) pilots • By 1945 there were 5.5 million men in the army

  10. Japan – Economic & Social • Their new territory gave them access to vital raw materials • By 1945 Allied air raids were devastating Japanese cities and their industries • Attacks on Japanese cities led to shortages • The people were still prepared to die for their emperor

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