Question

the end of wwii and its consequences
ss.912.a.6.1 examine causes, course, and consequences of world war ii on the united states and the world.
ss.912.a.6.6 analyze the use of atomic weapons during world war ii and the aftermath of the bombings.
ss.912.a.6.9 describe the rationale for the formation of the united nations, including the contribution of mary mcleod bethune.
ending the war: the atomic bomb and ve & vj days

1. what was the justification for using the atomic bomb? do you think this is valid; why or why not?
2. in your own words, explain the difference between ve and vj day, and why two separate days existed celebrating the end of wwii.

the human cost of war

1. after viewing the powerpoint images, describe one thing that stood out to you and how it made you feel.

justice and peace making after the war

1. why was the united nations formed? do you think this rationale is valid; why or why not?
2. how did mary mcleod bethune contribute to the formation of the un?
3. do you believe that \i was just following orders\ is a valid excuse for actions taken during war? why or why not?

Explanation:

1. Question 1: The official U.S. justification was to force Japan's immediate surrender, avoiding a costly invasion of the Japanese mainland that would have killed hundreds of thousands of Allied soldiers and Japanese civilians. Validity is subjective: some argue it saved more lives overall, while others condemn it as an unnecessary, morally wrong attack on civilian populations.
2. Question 2: VE Day (Victory in Europe) marked Germany's unconditional surrender on May 8, 1945, ending the war in Europe. VJ Day (Victory over Japan) marked Japan's surrender on September 2, 1945, ending the global war. Separate days exist because the Axis powers (Germany and Japan) surrendered months apart, in different theaters of the war.
3. Question 3: (This is personal; example response) The images of child survivors in Hiroshima stood out. They made me feel profound sadness at the innocent suffering caused by the atomic bomb, and a strong sense of the need to prevent such violence.
4. Question 4: The UN was formed to replace the failed League of Nations, with the core goal of preventing future global wars through international cooperation, collective security, and diplomatic dialogue. The rationale is widely seen as valid: it provides a formal forum for nations to resolve conflicts peacefully, though its effectiveness has been limited by political gridlock at times.
5. Question 5: Mary McLeod Bethune, a prominent African American civil rights leader, advised President Franklin D. Roosevelt on racial issues, helped shape the UN's founding principles around human rights and equality, and advocated for the inclusion of marginalized groups' voices in the organization's structure.
6. Question 6: No, this is not a valid excuse. The Nuremberg Trials established the principle that individuals are responsible for their own actions, even if following orders, when those actions violate fundamental moral and legal norms (like genocide or war crimes). This principle holds people accountable for choosing to participate in atrocities.

Answer:

1. Official justification: Force Japan's immediate surrender, avoid a mainland invasion with massive projected casualties. Validity is subjective: some support it as a life-saving measure, others reject it as an immoral attack on civilians.
2. VE Day (May 8, 1945) = Germany's surrender (end of war in Europe); VJ Day (September 2, 1945) = Japan's surrender (end of WWII globally). Separate days exist because the two Axis powers surrendered months apart in distinct war theaters.
3. (Example) The images of child survivors in Hiroshima stood out. They made me feel deep sadness and a strong desire to prevent such war crimes.
4. The UN was formed to replace the League of Nations, to prevent future wars via international cooperation and collective security. The rationale is valid as it provides a formal diplomatic forum, though its effectiveness is sometimes limited by political tensions.
5. Mary McLeod Bethune advised FDR on racial issues, helped shape the UN's human rights-focused founding principles, and advocated for marginalized groups to have a voice in the organization.
6. No, it is not a valid excuse. The Nuremberg Trials established that individuals are legally and morally responsible for their actions, even if following orders, when those actions violate fundamental human rights and laws of war.