Surrender of Japan

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/surrender-of-japan

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the date of emperor's broadcast?August 15, 1945
2. What is the date of formal surrender signing?September 2, 1945
3. What caused Japan to surrender in World War II?Japan was hit by two powerful attacks: the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the Soviet Union declared war and invaded Manchuria. These events made it impossible for Japan to keep fighting, so they decided to surrender.
4. Why did Emperor Hirohito speak on the radio on August 15?He wanted to tell all Japanese people that the war was over and that Japan would accept the terms of the Potsdam Declaration. It was the first time most citizens heard his voice directly.

Jewel Voice Broadcast: Emperor Hirohito's radio address announcing Japan's surrender.
Instrument of Surrender: The legal document that formally ended World War II hostilities.
Potsdam Declaration: An ultimatum issued by Allied leaders demanding Japan's unconditional surrender.
Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP): The military command responsible for the occupation of Japan.