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Who Was Responsible for Dropping the Atomic Bomb? – KS3 History Lesson

Challenge your students to explore one of history’s most controversial decisions in this thought-provoking and fully resourced KS3 lesson.

This lesson helps students examine the decision to use atomic bombs on Japan in August 1945, through multiple perspectives and critical debate, before crafting their own reasoned judgement.

This lesson includes:

1. Engaging starter activity – Students recall key facts about WWII’s end and the Pacific War to set the context.
2. Rich historical content – Explore perspectives from U.S. leaders, Japanese leaders, Manhattan Project scientists, and Allied leaders.
3. Collaborative group activity – Students represent different stakeholders, prepare arguments, and deliver presentations to assess responsibility for the atomic bombings.
4. Knowledge check – A mini whiteboard quiz reinforces core knowledge (cities bombed, key figures, death toll).
5. Structured extended writing – Scaffolded support to respond to the essay question: “‘The USA was fully responsible for the dropping of the atomic bomb.’ How far do you agree?”

Why use this lesson?

• Encourages critical thinking and empathy by analysing multiple perspectives.
• Links historical decisions to ethical and global consequences.
• Builds oracy skills through group debate and presentation.

Perfect for KS3 or adaptable for GCSE groups to explore historical responsibility and causation.