Channel Title: The Life Guide Channel Description: The Life Guide is a channel dedicated to providing interesting and educational content about a range of political, philosophical, economic and historical topics. Given people have limited time these days, due to education, work or a busy home life, our videos are short but packed full of information. By condensing large and complicated topics into engaging and punchy videos, you can use our content to learn about anything from The Mongol Empire to the Greek Gods in just a few minutes. <video> The Atomic Bombing of Nagasaki #ww2 Description: In less than a second, the blast levelled the city’s centre and vaporised 35,000 people. While more poweful than the bomb at Hiroshima, much more of the city would manage to survive, as the hills surrounding the point of the explosion mitigated the effects of the resulting shockwave and fireball. Even so, 10s of thousands more would later die as a direct result of their injuries or the effects of radiation. In total, the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki would claim over 200,000 lives, with the two cities being wiped out in the blink of an eye. It was a scale of destruction never before seen in history, with a single bomb able to eviscerate an entire city within seconds. The world would now wait to hear Japan's response. Would their government still remain silent? Would they watch on as more cities, even Tokyo itself, was wiped from the face of the earth? Just what would it take for the Japanese to surrender? No one knew for certain, but the world would soon get its answer. #ww2 #history #worldwar2 #thelifeguide #worldwarii #shorts #wwii #japan #japanww2 #japanese #imperialjapan #pacificwar #facts #historyfacts #historyshorts </video> <video> The Worlds First Atomic Bomb #ww2 #history Description: The Manhatten Project: Directed by Brigadier General Leslie Groves, he would work alongside the physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer in Los Alamos, New Mexico, with the pair beginning the race to build the world's first nuclear weapon. Operating in 37 different facilities across the United States and Canada and employing nearly 130,000 people, the project would cost over 2 billion dollars in total, amounting to nearly 1% of the United States' entire defence spending during the war. After nearly 3 years of work, Oppenheimer and his team had done the impossible, and they were now ready to test launch the world's first-ever nuclear bomb. Set to take place in the open desert planes of New Mexico, Oppenheimer would name the event “Trinity”, with over 400 people coming to witness the dawn of a new age. And so, in the early hours of July 16th 1945 the go-ahead to detonate the bomb was given. With an energy equivalent of 24 kilotons of TNT, the desert sky would be engulfed by a giant ball of fire that rose over 8 miles into the sky, while a beam of intense white light shot out in all directions, illuminating the mountains for miles around. #ww2 #history #worldwar2 #thelifeguide #worldwarii #shorts #wwii #japan #japanww2 #pacificwar #facts #historyfacts #historyshorts #oppenheimer #jrobertoppenheimer </video> <video> Japanese Scientist visits Hiroshima #ww2 Description: Dr Yoshio Nishina, the nation’s leading nuclear scientist and Lieutenant General Seizo Arisue, the chief of Intelligence, were then sent to Hiroshima to investigate what had happened to the city. As their plane approached the city, both men would look out of the window, but what they saw was not what they had expected to see. *“The general had seen many cities laid waste by fire bombings—usually there was smoldering debris, smoke from emergency kitchens and some signs of human activity—but below him stretched a lifeless desert. No smoke, no fires, nothing. There wasn’t a street in sight.”* With no landing strip visible, the pilot turned and shouted, “Sir, this is supposed to be Hiroshima. What should we do?” “Land!” said the general. Their plane eventually touched down, with Dr Nishina beginning to study the city. Almost immediately, however, he would come to the inevitable conclusion: An Atomic Bomb was the only thing powerful enough to have caused such destruction. Nishina’s findings would be relayed back to Tokyo, confirming that an atomic bomb had indeed been used. An immediate audience with the Soviets was now Japan's top priority. #ww2 #history #worldwar2 #thelifeguide #worldwarii #shorts #wwii #japan #japanww2 #japanese #imperialjapan #pacificwar #facts #historyfacts #historyshorts </video> <video> Why did Japan refuse to Surrender for so long? #ww2 Description: By the time the Atomic Bombs fell in August 1945, Japan’s defeat was clear to all but the most fanatical generals. Its once vast empire lay in ruins, its navy and air force were decimated, and its populace faced starvation under a crippling U.S. blockade. American firebombing had unleashed destruction across the country, claiming over 260,000 lives and leaving 13 million homeless. The relentless aerial bombardment continued, with near-daily raids devastating the battered nation. Although some government figures, particularly Shigenori Tōgō, now favoured a diplomatic resolution to the war, they were outnumbered by hardline militarists who continued to dictate Japan's policy. Peace discussions remained covert and centered on unrealistic terms that would be never accepted by the Allies. The Japanese government was effectively under the control of the military, and even if Emperor Hirohito himself favored surrender, he lacked the legal authority to enforce it without the backing of key military leaders. #ww2 #history #worldwar2 #thelifeguide #worldwarii #shorts #wwii #japan #japanww2 #japanese #imperialjapan #pacificwar #facts #historyfacts #historyshorts </video> <video> How American Submarines Crippled Japan #ww2 Description: To make matters worse, the American Subramine blockade had reduced shipping imports by over 1 million tons, and with oil reserves now unable to be replenished, desperate attempts were made to make aviation fuel from pine trees. The population too was on the brink of starvation and coupled with the smallest rice harvest in nearly 50 years, the government had resorted to trying to turn acorns into food. The official daily food ration of 1,500 calories was also not being met, with the average citizen only consuming 500 calories a day, two-thirds below the minimum Japanese standard. Those in the cities who were far away from fertile land suffered the most, with millions travelling into the countryside each Sunday, to barter their jewellery, furniture and anything they had of value in exchange for sweet potatoes, vegetables and fruit. #ww2 #history #worldwar2 #thelifeguide #worldwarii #shorts #wwii #japan #japanww2 #japanese #imperialjapan #pacificwar #facts #historyfacts #historyshorts </video> <video> Why Hiroshima was chosen to be Nuked #history #ww2 Description: These reasons were ultimately enough to convince Truman to use the atomic bomb against Japan, with both Stalin and Churchill approving its use. A list of targets was then drawn up that would, in the words of General Leslie Groves:“Most adversely affect the will of the Japanese people to continue the war.” The list would contain major urban centres, that, up to this point in the war, had escaped American firebombing, as it was hoped their destruction would best demonstrate the full extent of the bomb’s power. The document also stipulated that: The target should be located in a reasonably large urban area It should lie on the Japanese main island area between Tokyo and Nagasaki And that it should possess high strategic value Meeting all of these critea would be the city of Hiroshima, which would then be selected as the first target for a nuclear attack. Located on the main Japanese island of Honshu and home to 340,000 people, it was hoped that its destruction would finally convince the Japanese that they had no other choice but to surrender. With Hiroshima now confirmed as the target, a 9,000 pound atomic bomb, nicknamed ‘Little Boy’, would be transported to the Pacific, where it would arrive on the island of Tinian in the northern Marianas. #ww2 #history #worldwar2 #thelifeguide #worldwarii #shorts #wwii #imperialjapan #pacificwar #facts #historyfacts #historyshorts #openheimer </video> <video> How powerful was Japanese Emperor Hirohito? #ww2 Description: The Meiji restoration of the 19th century had established the Emperor as the divine ruler of Japan. In theory, the Emperor now appointed all senior members of the military and government, was responsible for the creation of new laws, and led the Japanese armed forces during times of war. In reality, however, the Emperor was a figurehead, who wielded little political power and instead simply rubber stamping the decisions of military and government officials, who had formulated the policies without his input. By the time Emperor Hirohito came to the throne in 1926, Japanese politics was spiralling into chaos. Just four years into his reign and with State Shinto having spread throughout military academies, the military had an almost complete monopoly over culture and government policy with those who spoke out against their influence often finding themselves assassinated. As the decades passed and the Second World War began, this culture of fear had become the norm, with the military's policy of “no surrender under any circumstances” going complety unchallanged, with those favouring peace having either been killed or too fearful to openly voice their opinions. Peace for the Military was simply not an option they would even consider. #ww2 #history #worldwar2 #thelifeguide #worldwarii #shorts #wwii #japan #japanww2 #japanese #imperialjapan #pacificwar #facts #historyfacts #historyshorts </video> <video> Atomic Bomb Strikes Hiroshima #ww2 Description: The man chosen to transport the bomb would be Colonel Paul Tibbets, who would pilot a B-29 Superfortress, named ‘Enola Gay’ after his mother. Taking off at 2.45am on August 6th, 1945, the Enola Gay would make a 6 hour trip before arriving in the skies above Hiroshima. That morning, Just before 8:15 am, the plane’s bomb bay doors would swing open with "Little Boy" making its way down to the city below. 600 yards from the ground and directly above Shima Surgical Clinic, the worlds first atomic bomb to be dropped on a civilian population was detonated. Within seconds, an enormous flash of white light burst out from the city centre, before a fireball, hotter than the surface of the sun incenerated everything in its vicinity. Shock waves of unbelievable force followed, destroying buildings and roads for miles around with radioactive dust and soot soon filling the air. #ww2 #history #worldwar2 #thelifeguide #worldwarii #shorts #wwii #japan #japanww2 #japanese #imperialjapan #pacificwar #facts #historyfacts #historyshorts </video> <video> Japanese Response to The Potsdam Declaration #ww2 Description: The declaration would be issued on July 26th 1945, however after the first day, there was still no response. Even after the second day and then a third, there was still no response, the Allies would hear nothing. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Suzuki, the Japanese, considering the terms of the Potsdam Declaration unacceptable and still unwilling to surrender, had chosen to enact a policy of mokusatsu (黙殺), or “killing with silence”, deciding to ignore the ultimatum altogether. To the Japanese, giving no response at all, was in fact a response, it was a complete dismissal of the terms. This would leave Truman with very few options. He would now have to consider using the Atomic Bomb, with many factors weighing on his mind. #ww2 #history #worldwar2 #thelifeguide #worldwarii #shorts #wwii #japan #japanww2 #japanese #imperialjapan #pacificwar #facts #historyfacts #historyshorts </video> <video> Truman warns Japan more Atomic Bombs are to come #ww2 Description: In just a couple of seconds, more than half of Hiroshima had been eviscerated and some 80,000 civilians had perished. Many more would die in the following days, weeks, and years, as severe burns and the harmful effects of radiation began to take its toll. Following the bombing, Truman would release a message, broadcasting a warning to Japan live for the world to hear: *"If they do not now accept our terms, they may expect a rain of ruin from the air, the like of which has never been seen on this earth. Behind this air attack will follow sea and land forces in such numbers and power as they have not yet seen and with the fighting skill of which they are already well aware."* Radio messages were also broadcast to Japan every 15 minutes, warning that more cities would be targeted unless an immediate surrender was received, and urging Japanese civilians to evacuate all major cities before they fell to the same fate as Hiroshima. 3 days would pass, and yet, with all this destruction, with all this loss of life, there were still no signs of Japanese willingness to surrender. #ww2 #history #worldwar2 #thelifeguide #worldwarii #shorts #wwii #japan #japanww2 #japanese #imperialjapan #pacificwar #facts #historyfacts #historyshorts </video> <video> USA: "Should we use the Nukes?" #ww2 Description: After nearly 3 years of work, Oppenheimer and his team had done the impossible, and they were now ready to test launch the world's first-ever nuclear bomb. Set to take place in the open desert planes of New Mexico, Oppenheimer would name the event “Trinity”, with over 400 people coming to witness the dawn of a new age. And so, in the early hours of July 16th 1945 the go-ahead to detonate the bomb was given. The United States and the world had now entered the atomic age.But still, questions remained over how the bombs were to be used. Was it moral to use the bomb? Should it be used against strictly military targets or should civilian areas also be considered? These were not questions for the scientists and engineers who had built the bomb, however, but rather for the politicians in Washington and in particular the United States' new commander-in-chief; Harry Truman. #ww2 #history #worldwar2 #thelifeguide #worldwarii #shorts #wwii #japan #japanww2 #japanese #imperialjapan #pacificwar #facts #historyfacts #historyshorts </video> <video> Kamikaze: Japan's Suicide Pilots #ww2 Description: Being first introduced at the Battle of Leyte Gulf, these Kamikaze attacks would prove to be extremely difficult to stop, with the entire plane, not just a portion of it having to be struck and destroyed by antiaircraft fire, giving the planes that hit their target an extremely high success rate, with only 1 Japanese pilot sacrificed for every 10 American casualties. Although only a few of these Kamakize planes would actually hit their target, with others missing their targets and falling into the ocean, the ones that did hit were so devastating to the us fleet, that Japanese high command believed their use was worth the price… As a result, these attacks came to play a greater and greater role as the war progressed, with over 3,000 Kamikaze pilots sacrificing their lives during the conflict. For the Japanese, it would be their willingness to sacrifice their own lives in service to their emperor, nation, and ancestors, that they believed would bring about victory and help prevent an American invasion of the home islands. #ww2 #history #worldwar2 #thelifeguide #worldwarii #shorts #wwii #japan #japanww2 #japanese #imperialjapan #pacificwar #facts #historyfacts #historyshorts </video> <video> Oppenheimer Reacts to the Atomic Bombs #ww2 Description: Oppenheimer Reacts to the Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Set to take place in the open desert planes of New Mexico, Oppenheimer would name the event “Trinity”, with over 400 people coming to witness the dawn of a new age. Oppenheimer, looking on with both awe and horror, would be reminded of a passage from the Indian Sanskrit Poem, the Bhagavad-Gita: “I am become Death, Shatterer of Worlds.” #ww2 #history #worldwar2 #thelifeguide #worldwarii #shorts #wwii #pacificwar #facts #historyfacts #historyshorts #oppenheimer </video> <video> The Secret Report That Predicted Japans Defeat #ww2 Description: With Japan now in a dire situation, Prime Minister Suzuki would order Cabinet Secretary Sakomizu to discreetly compose a study of Japan's last remaining resources, to see, if there was any hope of winning the war. Gathering both military and civilian experts from across all vital industries, the Sakomizu Report would highlight the extent to which Japan's economy was on the brink of collapse with its findings being far worse than anyone had imagined: Steel production was less than 100,000 tons per month, 70% below the official estimate, along with a lack of coal having cut the production of munitions in half. A lack of resources had also cut Aircraft production to only 30% of potential output, with the entire transportation system on the brink of collapse due to fuel shortages and a lack of manpower. As the Sakomizu report predicted, “in weeks there would be no rail transportation between cities, construction of steel ships would end and the chemical industry would collapse.” #ww2 #history #worldwar2 #thelifeguide #worldwarii #shorts #wwii #japan #japanww2 #japanese #imperialjapan #pacificwar #facts #historyfacts #historyshorts </video> <video> Nagasaki wasn't meant to be the target of the Atomic Bomb #ww2 Description: Flying to the Japanese island of Kyushu, the bomb was set to be dropped on the City of Kokura, as it had a substantial civilian population of over 130,000 people and contained one of the largest arsenals in all of Japan. As Sweeney’s plane approached Kokura, however, he would find it heavily obscured by pollution from the city’s factories, as well as from smoke drifting over from the neighbouring city of Yahata, which had been firebombed by American pilots the previous day. 3 bombing runs would be made in an attempt to deliver the nuclear payload, but each time visibility would be too poor to make the strike, and with the the threat of being shot down by Japanese anti-aircraft fire growing greater with each attempt, the decision was made to abandon Kokura and instead head to the secondary target: the port city of Nagasaki. #ww2 #history #worldwar2 #thelifeguide #worldwarii #shorts #wwii #japan #japanww2 #japanese #imperialjapan #pacificwar #facts #historyfacts #historyshorts </video>

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The Life Guide is a channel dedicated to providing interesting and educational content about a range of political, philosophical, economic and historical topics. Given people have limited time these days, due to education, work or a busy home life, our videos are short but packed full of information. By condensing large and complicated topics into engaging and punchy videos, you can use our content to learn about anything from The Mongol Empire to the Greek Gods in just a few minutes.

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