Notes
Slide Show
Outline
1
"The impact of the bomb..."
  • The impact of the bomb through a documentary


2
The Documentary:
  • Perspective of Historians
  • Reflections from main participants
    • Oppenheimer and his brother, etc.
  • Clips and descriptions of the effects of the bomb
    • Death and destruction
    • Power of the bomb (mushroom cloud)


3
(cont.)
  • After Hiroshima
    • The Hydrogen Bomb
    • Arms Race
      • Soviet Union’s test of atomic bomb, hydrogen bomb
      • Up to the point documentary was filmed, 1,200 nuclear bombs tested
4
Effects of Documentaries vs. Texts
“It treated humans as matter”
  • “A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words”
  • Puts a human face on the tragedy
    • Allows us to see the destruction while providing us the facts
    • Emotion of men involved
    • Visual images supplement words
    • Evokes sympathy for the Japanese people and American soldiers
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The Strength Of Images
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What else does a documentary do?
  • Gives us insight into the thoughts of people involved through personal interviews
  • Captures the moment whereas texts are reflections
  • Allows for contrasting images
    • Cheering American soldiers vs. Devastated Japanese people, esp. CHILDREN



7
How Texts and Documentaries Complement Each Other
  • Together, the two combine both intellectual and emotional aspects of historical events
  • They bring together not only the facts of governmental policies but also the personal consequences of their implementation.
  • Texts choose quotations for their content whereas documentaries work to capture the emotional appeal.
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Discussion Questions
  • What image was the most evocative to you?
  • Are there any other differences between documentaries and texts? Similarities?
  • Do you prefer documentaries to texts? Why or why not?
  • Did you learn anything new from the documentary?
  • Do you think the United States’ treatment of Oppenheimer was fair?