The Atomic Bomb's Impact on US-Soviet Relations (AQA GCSE History) : Revision Note
The impact of the atomic bomb - Summary
Tensions increased dramatically between the USA and Soviet Union following the atomic bomb explosions in Japan in August 1945. The decision to use atomic weapons against Japan was officially justified as being a way to end the war. However, there is no doubt that the USA’s intention was to send a clear message to Stalin and the Soviet Union. President Truman had hoped that the demonstration of the USA’s technological power would prevent other European countries - particularly those in the East - from becoming Communist. He also believed that the use of atomic weapons on Japan would prevent the potential for any future wars. On the other hand, Stalin saw the use of atomic bombs by the USA as a threat to the East and the safety of the USSR. Soviet scientists accelerated their own atomic bomb tests. Stalin became more determined to establish communism in Europe in order to protect the Soviet Union from the West. Both the USA and the Soviet Union entered an arms race, where both sides wanted to ensure that they had more numerous and better weaponry. |
Why did the USA drop an atomic bomb on Hiroshima & Nagasaki?
The success of the Trinity test in July 1945 meant that the USA were capable of using atomic bombs
The USA dropped two atomic bombs on Japan in August 1945:
The first exploded in Hiroshima
The second exploded in Nagasaki
Around 120,000 Japanese civilians were killed by both bombs
The USA had a number of justifications for using the atomic bombs on Japan:
Official reasons involved wanting to end the war against Japan and save US lives
Unofficial reasons were that the USA wanted to scare the Soviet Union
President Truman believed that the use of atomic bombs on Japan would make it easier for the countries of Western Europe to support the USA
He also hoped that the countries of Eastern Europe would resist Soviet expansion and ally themselves with the USA
Stalin’s reaction to the atomic bomb
Stalin was informed of the success of the Manhattan Project during the Potsdam conference in July 1945
After the atomic bomb exploded in Hiroshima, Stalin became even more determined to protect the security of the Soviet Union
Stalin wanted to create a buffer zone between Germany and the Soviet Union, full of Communist countries that would protect the Soviet Union from any potential invasions from the West
Stalin accelerated the Soviet Union’s own atomic bomb project
The first successful test was on 29 August 1949
Examiner Tips and Tricks
A significant skill in Conflict and Tension Between East and West is the ability to identify causes and consequences. Events such as the dropping of the atomic bomb had significant consequences to Cold War tensions, such as the nuclear arms race.
Why did the atomic bomb increase tension?
Truman and the USA had hoped the atomic bombs in Japan would reduce tensions and make it easier for them to prevent Communist expansion in Europe
However, Truman had underestimated Stalin’s desire to protect the Soviet Union from Capitalism and his belief that the West wanted to destroy Communism
As a result of the atomic bombs on Japan, Cold War tensions dramatically increased between the two leading superpowers
The defeat of both Germany and Japan meant both an end to the Second World War and to the ‘Grand Alliance’
Worked Example
Source A is supportive of the US decision to use the atomic bomb against Japan. How do you know?
[4 marks]
Source A: A section of a political cartoon called 'Saving Face', published in the Chicago Tribune, 12th August, 1945.
Answer:
Source A is supportive of the US decision to use the atomic bomb against Japan because of how it depicts the dropping of the bomb (1). The cartoon shows the bomb being small enough to be carried by a bird labelled 'peace'. This shows America's desire to downplay the impact of the bomb on Japan. In reality, both atomic bombs dropped by the US on Japan had devastating impacts on the country, killing around 120,000 Japanese civilians (1).
Another reason why source A is supportive of the US use of the atomic bomb is how the source depicts the reason for dropping the bomb (1). The cartoonist has decided to draw a dove carrying the atomic bomb. Doves represent peace. However, this dove is bringing peace through the use of violence. This shows how much America believed they were acting in the best interest of the world by using atomic weapons to force Japan to surrender, officially ending the Second World War (1).
Examiner Tips and Tricks
When approaching the "How do you know" question, ensure that you have selected two parts of the source which are relevant to the question and that you have knowledge of. If the worked example above did not mention any knowledge about the use of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, it would not get more than 3 marks.
For further guidance on this question, you can read this revision note on how to answer the 4-mark “How do you know” question.
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