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World war 2 lesson 11 US decisions

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GPT 3.5
Lesson 11: US Decisions during World War II

During World War II, the United States made several important decisions that shaped the outcome of the war and its aftermath. This lesson will focus on three significant decisions made by the US during this period: the decision to enter the war, the decision to intern Japanese-Americans, and the decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan.

1. Decision to Enter the War:
- Prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the United States had maintained a policy of neutrality. However, after the surprise attack by the Japanese, President Franklin D. Roosevelt requested the US Congress to declare war against Japan, which was approved swiftly. This decision was crucial as it brought the United States fully into the war and united Americans behind the war effort.

2. Internment of Japanese-Americans:
- Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, there was widespread fear and suspicion of Japanese-Americans living on the West Coast. In February 1942, President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, which authorized the internment of approximately 120,000 Japanese-Americans, most of whom were US citizens. They were forcibly removed from their homes and placed in internment camps for the duration of the war. This decision was highly controversial and is now widely recognized as a violation of civil liberties.

3. Decision to Drop Atomic Bombs:
- As the war in the Pacific reached a critical stage, the US made the decision to drop atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. On August 6 and 9, 1945, the bombings took place, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 200,000 people, mostly civilians. These bombings are the only use of nuclear weapons in warfare to date. The decision to use atomic bombs was met with debate and controversy, with some arguing that it was necessary to hasten the end of the war and save lives, while others criticized it as unnecessary and inhumane.

In conclusion, the US made significant decisions during World War II that impacted the course and outcome of the war. These decisions included entering the war after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the internment of Japanese-Americans, and the use of atomic bombs on Japan. These decisions continue to be topics of discussion and debate, highlighting the complexity of war and the ethical dilemmas faced by those in power.

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