The Finale of WW2 and Punishments for Atrocities

when did WW2 officially end?

September 2, 1945

how did the war end in europe?

• Allies invaded Germany north and west

• Soviet Union invaded Germany from the east

when did Germany surrender to allies and what happened to Hitler?

• May 7, 1945 → Germany surrendered to the Allies 

• Hitler committed suicide before being captured

when was Victory in Europe (V-E) Day declared?

May 8, 1945

Manhattan project

code name for the development of the atomic bomb

how did Canada contribute to the Manhattan project?

• In 1942, Canada contributed by mining uranium 

• Canada secretly bought Eldorado mine at Great Bear Lake, Northwest Territories

when was the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima?

On August 6, 1945

when was the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki?

On August 9, 1945 (3 days later)

how many people were killed in total by the atomic bombs, hiroshima and nagasaki?

• approx. 200,000 people were killed

  • 135,000 in Hiroshima

  • 50,000 in Nagasaki

when did japan surrender?

August 14, 1945

Anti-Bombing view argument

Argument: bombings were morally wrong and not necessary to end the war

3 key points for anti-bombing POV

• japan was already on the verge of surrender

• massive civilian casualties

• more about intimidating the soviets then defeating Japan

Pro-bombing view argument

Argument: atomic bombs were necessary to end the war quickly and save lives in the long run.

5 key points for pro-bombing POV

• Japan showed no clear signs of surrender before the bombings

• ended the war within days

• reduced the amount of casualties

• demonstrated the U.S. power which deterred future global conflicts 

• use this technology before other countries use it

who held anti-bombing pov?

Admiral Williams Leachy (advisor to Roosevelt and Truman)

who held pro-bombing pov?

 Colonel Paul Tibbets

Nuremberg Trials (3)

• In 1845, The International Military Tribunal was established by the allies in Nuremberg, Germany 

• 12 defendants were sentenced to death or imprisoned

• first time in history leads were charged for immoral acts during wartime

Tokyo Trials

Japan committed war crimes, mass killings, human experimentation, famine, torture, and forced labour where POWs suffered hardships

• Tokyo trials sentenced military personnel found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity