The Atomic Bomb and the End of the Second World War

This event is sold out. To be added to the waitlist, email human@unc.edu with your first and last name, email address and phone number.

Political and military leaders in the United States planned a final military campaign that could end the war with Japan in 1945, but a land invasion would carry extremely high human and economic costs. The U.S. decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki evolved from careful strategic analysis of these costs, but the new weapons inflicted massive civilian casualties and showed how atomic bombs greatly expanded the destructive threats of modern warfare. This seminar will examine the strategic decision to develop and use the atomic bombs and analyze the impact of wartime bombing within Japanese society. We’ll also discuss how the United States’ use of the atomic bomb is remembered in both Japan and the U.S.

Topics and speakers include ‘From Hitler to Roosevelt: The Concept of an Atomic Bomb,’ Gerhard L. Weinberg, William Rand Kenan Jr. Professor of History Emeritus; ‘The Atomic Bomb and Its Influence on Wartime Japan,’ W. Miles Fletcher, professor of history emeritus; ‘From Germany to Japan: The Decision to Use Atomic Bombs,’ Gerhard L. Weinberg, William Rand Kenan Jr. Professor of History Emeritus; ‘Postwar Identities and Debates: Japanese and American Views of the Atomic Bomb after 1945,’ W. Miles Fletcher, professor of history emeritus; and ‘Why Is the Use of Atomic Bombs in World War II Still Debated Today?’ a panel discussion with the speakers.

For information on tuition, visit the Carolina Public Humanities website. This event is co-sponsored by the General Alumni Association.

Register online or call +1.919.962.1544.

Registrants will receive a packet containing background readings, a map to the seminar location, and more about 2-3 weeks before the program date.