Early in 1939, the world's scientific community discovered that German physicists had learned the secrets of splitting a uranium atom. Fears soon spread over the possibility of Nazi scientists utilizing that energy to produce a bomb capable of unspeakable destruction. The Allies had to beat the Nazis to the punch.

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Discuss the strategy employed against the Japanese and some of the significant battles of the Pacific campaign
Describe the effects of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Analyze the decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan