Little Boy

Definition

Little Boy was the codename for the atomic bomb dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, during World War II. This event marked a significant turning point in warfare and global politics, ultimately leading to Japan's surrender and the end of the war. The bomb used uranium-235 as its fissile material and detonated with an explosive force equivalent to approximately 15 kilotons of TNT.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Little Boy was dropped by the American B-29 bomber Enola Gay, piloted by Colonel Paul Tibbets.
2. The explosion destroyed approximately 70% of the buildings in Hiroshima and caused an estimated 140,000 deaths by the end of 1945.
3. Little Boy’s design was based on a gun-type fission mechanism, which fired two sub-critical masses of uranium-235 together to achieve a nuclear chain reaction.
4. The use of Little Boy raised significant ethical questions about nuclear warfare and its long-term effects on civilian populations.
5. The bomb's devastating impact on Hiroshima played a crucial role in Japan's eventual surrender on August 15, 1945, leading to the formal signing of the surrender documents on September 2, 1945.

Review Questions

• What were the immediate effects of the Little Boy bombing on Hiroshima, both in terms of physical destruction and human casualties?
  • The immediate effects of Little Boy on Hiroshima were catastrophic. The bomb resulted in the destruction of approximately 70% of the city's buildings, leaving vast areas in ruins. The human toll was staggering, with an estimated 140,000 deaths occurring by the end of 1945 due to the blast and resulting radiation sickness. The profound devastation highlighted the destructive power of nuclear weapons and marked a significant moment in warfare history.
• How did the development and use of Little Boy influence international relations and the perception of nuclear weapons post-World War II?
  • The development and use of Little Boy had a profound impact on international relations and altered perceptions of warfare. The successful detonation established the United States as a leading nuclear power and initiated an arms race during the Cold War. The bombings also sparked debates around ethics in warfare, leading to movements advocating for nuclear disarmament. As nations grappled with the potential consequences of nuclear conflict, Little Boy became a symbol of both military strategy and humanitarian crisis.
• Evaluate the significance of Little Boy in the context of Japan's surrender and its implications for future global conflicts involving nuclear weapons.
  • Little Boy was pivotal in Japan's surrender, as its deployment demonstrated the overwhelming destructive capability of nuclear weapons. The shock from Hiroshima contributed to Japan's decision to surrender unconditionally on August 15, 1945. This event set a precedent for future conflicts, illustrating how nuclear deterrence could shape international relations. As countries sought to develop their own nuclear arsenals post-war, Little Boy signified not just a military strategy but also a looming threat that would dominate global politics throughout the latter half of the 20th century.

Related terms

Hiroshima: A city in Japan that became the first target of an atomic bomb during World War II, resulting in massive destruction and loss of life.

Nagasaki: The second Japanese city targeted by an atomic bomb (named Fat Man) on August 9, 1945, which contributed to Japan's decision to surrender.

Manhattan Project: The secret U.S. government research project that developed the atomic bombs used during World War II, including Little Boy and Fat Man.