Encyclopaedia Britannica Presents: WWII Infographic Explainers: Atomic Bombing of Nagasaki

On August 9, 1945, a B-29 bomber dropped a powerful bomb on Nagasaki, which was a secondary target after Kokura. The unique terrain of Nagasaki limited the bomb's destruction, resulting in fewer casualties compared to Hiroshima. The bombing campaign raised ethical concerns, with planners like Robert McNamara noting potential war crime prosecutions if the war had ended differently. Post-war, Nagasaki was rebuilt and became a center for peace and nuclear disarmament advocacy.

What was the primary reason the B-29 bomber moved from Kokura to Nagasaki?

• Change in orders

• Fuel shortage

• Cloud cover over Kokura

• Mechanical failure

How did Nagasaki's terrain affect the bomb's impact?

• It limited the destruction

• It amplified the blast

• It caused more casualties

• It had no effect

Which city experienced more immediate casualties than Nagasaki and Hiroshima?

• Yokohama

• Osaka

• Tokyo

• Kyoto

What was a significant post-war development in Nagasaki?

• It became a key port and peace center

• It became a military base

• It was never rebuilt

• It was abandoned

What was a concern for Allied planners regarding the bombing campaign?

• Potential war crime charges

• Political backlash

• Lack of resources

• Technological limitations