Help
Hey,
so basically, im writing an essay which is about the atomic bomb which was dropped on hiroshima and nagasaki. and ive got to write whether it was justified or not. im really confused on which side to argue for because i dont know. i do think that it was wrong for the bomb to be dropped but ive not got enough arguments arguing my point. id really appreciate it if anyone could give me links to some websites which are relevant to this please?
ive started my introduction but im finding it really difficult how to organise my essay. this is my last history essay as im not doing it next year and i really want to get a good mark. we were told that if we wanted to aim for a higher level we should link certain information in certain paragraphs but i dont understand how to write it, like how to start each paragraph.
thankyou for reading and if you know anything which is relevant to what im writing about id really appreciate it if you'd reply with the link, thanks! xxx me
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Was The Atomic Bomb Justified/unjustified Essay Help! A year9 essay about the atomic bomb, confuuused!
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#2
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Posted 26 May 2007 - 04:48 PM
I think the first thing you need to do is to come to terms with the fact that there s no real 'right' or 'wrong' answer - only different ideas on both sides which you may personally sway towards or against, depending on your personal morality.
If you want a good site which lists dozens of ideas as to the arguments you might cite, try http://wiki.answers.com/.
First, on a piece of planning paper, make a list of all the ideas and facts you think JUSTIFY the dropping of the bomb.
On a second piece of paper, make a list of all the ideas and facts you think OPPOSES the dropping of the bomb.
Then write your essay like this:
1. In a first section, write a number of paragraphs saying all the reasons why some people might say the bomb was justified, not forgetting to EXPLAIN why each idea/fact supports the dropping of the bomb.
You could start this section: 'There are many reasons why some people have argued that the atomic bomb was justified...' It may well be possible in this section to refer back and forth to ideas which go together.
2. In a second section, write a number of paragraphs saying all the reasons why some people might say the bomb was NOT justified, not forgetting to EXPLAIN why each idea/fact opposes the dropping of the bomb.
You could start this section: 'However, there are also many arguments which support the idea that dropping the atomic bomb was not justified...'
Again, it may well be possible in this section to refer back and forth to ideas which go together.
3. In a final section, say which side has your vote AND WHY. In this section, refer back to some key arguments you have made and compare the two sides.
You may want to start this last section with the word: 'Therefore...'
If you want a good site which lists dozens of ideas as to the arguments you might cite, try http://wiki.answers.com/.
First, on a piece of planning paper, make a list of all the ideas and facts you think JUSTIFY the dropping of the bomb.
On a second piece of paper, make a list of all the ideas and facts you think OPPOSES the dropping of the bomb.
Then write your essay like this:
1. In a first section, write a number of paragraphs saying all the reasons why some people might say the bomb was justified, not forgetting to EXPLAIN why each idea/fact supports the dropping of the bomb.
You could start this section: 'There are many reasons why some people have argued that the atomic bomb was justified...' It may well be possible in this section to refer back and forth to ideas which go together.
2. In a second section, write a number of paragraphs saying all the reasons why some people might say the bomb was NOT justified, not forgetting to EXPLAIN why each idea/fact opposes the dropping of the bomb.
You could start this section: 'However, there are also many arguments which support the idea that dropping the atomic bomb was not justified...'
Again, it may well be possible in this section to refer back and forth to ideas which go together.
3. In a final section, say which side has your vote AND WHY. In this section, refer back to some key arguments you have made and compare the two sides.
You may want to start this last section with the word: 'Therefore...'
#4
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Posted 27 May 2007 - 03:54 PM
Sorry to bother you again! but ive been looking through my history book which i wrote a few notes in, and it said we have to argue for one thing. like you have to argue either:
1-the atomic bomb was justified
2-the atomic bomb wasnt jusified
so its confusing sticking to the essay structure you mentioned earlier as that includes a mixture of the two arguments! i dont know how to structure it
&also do you have any ideas of things i could do to reach a high level like a high7 or 8 please?
we were told to put certain points together like things about the USSR in one paragraph but i dont get how to do that..?
thankyou ever so much for reading!
1-the atomic bomb was justified
2-the atomic bomb wasnt jusified
so its confusing sticking to the essay structure you mentioned earlier as that includes a mixture of the two arguments! i dont know how to structure it
&also do you have any ideas of things i could do to reach a high level like a high7 or 8 please?
we were told to put certain points together like things about the USSR in one paragraph but i dont get how to do that..?
thankyou ever so much for reading!
#5
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Posted 27 May 2007 - 04:30 PM
Moo!, on May 27 2007, 04:54 PM, said:
Sorry to bother you again! but ive been looking through my history book which i wrote a few notes in, and it said we have to argue for one thing. like you have to argue either:
1-the atomic bomb was justified
2-the atomic bomb wasnt jusified
so its confusing sticking to the essay structure you mentioned earlier as that includes a mixture of the two arguments! i dont know how to structure it
1-the atomic bomb was justified
2-the atomic bomb wasnt jusified
so its confusing sticking to the essay structure you mentioned earlier as that includes a mixture of the two arguments! i dont know how to structure it
Quote
&also do you have any ideas of things i could do to reach a high level like a high7 or 8 please?
Level 7
Pupils make links between their factual knowledge and understanding of the history of Britain and the wider world.(2) They use these links to analyse relationships between features of a particular period or society, and to analyse reasons for, and results of, events and changes.(2) They explain how and why different historical interpretations have been produced.(3) Pupils show some independence in following lines of enquiry, using their knowledge and understanding to identify, evaluate and use sources of information critically.(4) They sometimes reach substantiated conclusions independently.(4) They select, organise and use relevant information to produce well-structured narratives, descriptions and explanations, making appropriate use of dates and terms.(5)
Level 8
Pupils use their factual knowledge and understanding of the history of Britain and the wider world to analyse the relationships between events, people and changes, and between the features of different past societies and cultures.(2) Their explanations of reasons for, and results of, events and changes are set in a wider historical context.(2) They analyse and explain different historical interpretations and are beginning to evaluate them.(3) Drawing on their historical knowledge and understanding, they use sources of information critically, carry out historical enquiries, and reach substantiated conclusions independently.(4) They select, organise and deploy relevant information to produce consistently well-structured narratives, descriptions and explanations, making appropriate use of dates and terms.(5)
Pupils make links between their factual knowledge and understanding of the history of Britain and the wider world.(2) They use these links to analyse relationships between features of a particular period or society, and to analyse reasons for, and results of, events and changes.(2) They explain how and why different historical interpretations have been produced.(3) Pupils show some independence in following lines of enquiry, using their knowledge and understanding to identify, evaluate and use sources of information critically.(4) They sometimes reach substantiated conclusions independently.(4) They select, organise and use relevant information to produce well-structured narratives, descriptions and explanations, making appropriate use of dates and terms.(5)
Level 8
Pupils use their factual knowledge and understanding of the history of Britain and the wider world to analyse the relationships between events, people and changes, and between the features of different past societies and cultures.(2) Their explanations of reasons for, and results of, events and changes are set in a wider historical context.(2) They analyse and explain different historical interpretations and are beginning to evaluate them.(3) Drawing on their historical knowledge and understanding, they use sources of information critically, carry out historical enquiries, and reach substantiated conclusions independently.(4) They select, organise and deploy relevant information to produce consistently well-structured narratives, descriptions and explanations, making appropriate use of dates and terms.(5)
I think the best thing to do is to write the best essay you can, but then see if it contains all this kind of stuff, and if it doesn't try to put in some sentences to do so.
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we were told to put certain points together like things about the USSR in one paragraph but i dont get how to do that..?
Therefore, what you need to do is to 'clump' together similar points, or points which share something in common.
Thus - if you get a few points which involve the Soviet Union as part of them, put them all into one paragraph, and deal with them all together.
I think this will be what your teacher means.
#7
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Posted 03 June 2007 - 12:22 PM
Hi, im writing an essay about the atomic bomb and whether or not it was justified. i posted something about a week ago about the structure of the essay and i understand that now, but im confused over two things at the moment, and id really really appreciate it if someone could help me please.
the first thing is to do with the ussr. i know some people who feel the bomb was justified say that it showed the russians the military superiority of the USA, but why did they want that? there are a few arguments to do with the USSR which i dont get like "The USA was needed in Europe to protect Europe from the Russians" and "the bomb was only dropped to scare the ussr" i dont understand what it has to do with the USSR...
the second thing is to get a higher level, we were told to make links across different time periods such as the cold war and the war in iraq. i dont know how to include this in my essay and i really want a good level. does anyone have any ideas of how i could link this in my essay? like a few sentences to do with it? and i dont really understand the cold war...
thankyou for reading, love me xxx
the first thing is to do with the ussr. i know some people who feel the bomb was justified say that it showed the russians the military superiority of the USA, but why did they want that? there are a few arguments to do with the USSR which i dont get like "The USA was needed in Europe to protect Europe from the Russians" and "the bomb was only dropped to scare the ussr" i dont understand what it has to do with the USSR...
the second thing is to get a higher level, we were told to make links across different time periods such as the cold war and the war in iraq. i dont know how to include this in my essay and i really want a good level. does anyone have any ideas of how i could link this in my essay? like a few sentences to do with it? and i dont really understand the cold war...
thankyou for reading, love me xxx
#8
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Posted 03 June 2007 - 02:11 PM
If you think about it, you've actually already thought of the answer! To take your points in order:
The Cold War was more about 'one upmanship' and trying to appear the most powerful than anything else.
When the USA exploded their nuclear bombs in Japan they demonstrated their power to the rest of the world. At that moment, the USA became the most powerful nation on earth. After World War II the two major powers were the USA and the USSR. It became a battle between these two - but rather than actual fighting it was about who appeared the most powerful.
Thus we can say that the bomb was, in some ways, dropped to bring an end to World War II but we can also say that it was a demonstration to the USSR to try, so the USA demonstrate their power. At the end of WWII the USA was worred about the USSR taking over the rest of Europe. It obviously gets quite complex and you need to look into the political infulence of everything - e.g. was the USA right be be worried? Were both sides making each other worried? Which was the most important reason why the bomb was dropped? Was it more about propaganda? Was it actually a large scale test?
The second point is also very interesting. What you've been accurately told is that if you can make connections with current events it shows you can apply your historical knowlege and understanding. Now you must be careful hear as it is very easy to get carried away. For example if you question asks you about the atomic bomb in 1945 and then you spend sixteen pages talking about the current war in Iraq you clearly won't be reaching a high level. However, if you can add a paragraph that makes a connection between Cold War events - and specifically the politics, the propaganda and 'showmanship' involved - and the current war in Iraq you will be able to reach a really high level essay.
It terms of justification for the Atomic Bomb - think about the explanations you've added to your essay already. Do any of them match the reasons for Britain and America claiming they were justified to invade Iraq? This is very much something you need to come up with yourself but do try to think. One angle I would look at is to see the American explanation of the atomic bomb where they explained it was all about saving lives - lives of American soldiers who would have been killed invading the mainland of Japan and all the islands in between. Does this connect in any way to the American justification for invading iraq to prevent weapons of mass destruction being used. But then you need to think about the outcomes too.
This is when history becomes very interesting and relevant.
However, do make sure you stick to the main thing - answering the specific question you have been set. One quite good way to do this - even if you are going temporarily off track - is to try and link back to the question at the end of each paragraph. This keeps you firmly focused on the question
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the first thing is to do with the ussr. i know some people who feel the bomb was justified say that it showed the russians the military superiority of the USA, but why did they want that? there are a few arguments to do with the USSR which i dont get like "The USA was needed in Europe to protect Europe from the Russians" and "the bomb was only dropped to scare the ussr" i dont understand what it has to do with the USSR...
The Cold War was more about 'one upmanship' and trying to appear the most powerful than anything else.
When the USA exploded their nuclear bombs in Japan they demonstrated their power to the rest of the world. At that moment, the USA became the most powerful nation on earth. After World War II the two major powers were the USA and the USSR. It became a battle between these two - but rather than actual fighting it was about who appeared the most powerful.
Thus we can say that the bomb was, in some ways, dropped to bring an end to World War II but we can also say that it was a demonstration to the USSR to try, so the USA demonstrate their power. At the end of WWII the USA was worred about the USSR taking over the rest of Europe. It obviously gets quite complex and you need to look into the political infulence of everything - e.g. was the USA right be be worried? Were both sides making each other worried? Which was the most important reason why the bomb was dropped? Was it more about propaganda? Was it actually a large scale test?
The second point is also very interesting. What you've been accurately told is that if you can make connections with current events it shows you can apply your historical knowlege and understanding. Now you must be careful hear as it is very easy to get carried away. For example if you question asks you about the atomic bomb in 1945 and then you spend sixteen pages talking about the current war in Iraq you clearly won't be reaching a high level. However, if you can add a paragraph that makes a connection between Cold War events - and specifically the politics, the propaganda and 'showmanship' involved - and the current war in Iraq you will be able to reach a really high level essay.
It terms of justification for the Atomic Bomb - think about the explanations you've added to your essay already. Do any of them match the reasons for Britain and America claiming they were justified to invade Iraq? This is very much something you need to come up with yourself but do try to think. One angle I would look at is to see the American explanation of the atomic bomb where they explained it was all about saving lives - lives of American soldiers who would have been killed invading the mainland of Japan and all the islands in between. Does this connect in any way to the American justification for invading iraq to prevent weapons of mass destruction being used. But then you need to think about the outcomes too.
This is when history becomes very interesting and relevant.
However, do make sure you stick to the main thing - answering the specific question you have been set. One quite good way to do this - even if you are going temporarily off track - is to try and link back to the question at the end of each paragraph. This keeps you firmly focused on the question
#10
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Posted 03 June 2007 - 02:27 PM
"Some Americans say that the bomb was used to show the Russians the military superiority of the US, so it was justified. But the 2 targets (Hiroshima and Nagasaki) didn’t have any military value whatsoever, and there were only innocent civilians there. The USA was trying to show how powerful they were to the USSR and they were trying to make the USSR feel threatened by them. The Cold War was about trying to appear more powerful than anyone else and countries feeling threatened by others, and this is similar to the war in Iraq. America invaded Iraq suspecting that they had nuclear weapons, and were feeling threatened by them."
This is what i have written, would you say this makes links to different time periods?? and if it doesnt, how could i improve upon it? thankyoou, love xxx
This is what i have written, would you say this makes links to different time periods?? and if it doesnt, how could i improve upon it? thankyoou, love xxx
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