Introduction One of the most contest and debated topics in recorded history was the decision by the United States to drop the atomic bomb on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. This essay will research the question was the decision to use the atomic bombs against Imperial Japan truly necessary to ending the World War Two? The reason why a decision made over 60 years ago is still worth investigating today is because of its direct implication the choice made by the United States still has in today’s society. There are still existing tensions between the United States and japan for the usage of the atomic bombs. For example, as of May of 2016, when current United States president visited japan, people were still asking for the United States to apologize for their decision from 1945. Furthermore, the question is worth investigating because of the scale of the destruction of just these two bombs alone. Each bomb was responsible for killing over 50,000 men, women, and children instantly and leaving toxic radiation levels for years to come. The choice to use the atomic bombs is still important to discuss because it comes down to an ethical dilemma that withstands the tests of time. The dilemma is should humans truly have the power to …show more content…
cause a mass extinction and should it ever be used? Since the United States in 1945, no other nation has ever used atomic bombs in conflict because of the unprecedented power. The main aspects surrounding the decision to drop the nuclear war that will be researched include, Nazi Germany’s surrender, the prospect of a German nuclear bombs, the long term implications of atomic bombs and radiation in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the setting of the stage for the cold war. Germany Surrender In order to fully grasp if the bomb droppings were actually necessary we must first analyze the state of the war heading into 1945. In the months, prior to the bomb drops, the allies had gained severe control of the war and were nearing victory. For example, one of the most pivotal members of the axis’ powers were Nazi Germany and Germany surrendered on May 7th, 1945. This was a huge blow to the Axis powers as it severely crippled their militaristic prowess and strength. However, this was not the first major blow to Axis’ powers. When Italy surrendered on October 13th, 1943, the tides of war begun to slowly drift in favor of the allies and this was further reinforced by their successful invasion at Normandy on June 6th 1944. Therefore, in the span of two years, the axis powers had begun to lose ground in the war and compacted to this with the surrendering of Germany and Italy, the chance of success for Japan was marginal. Furthermore, Gar Alperovitz, historian and president of the National Center for Economic Alternatives, stated, “Japanese power disintegrated rapidly in the spring and summer of 1945” (17) Since, the Axis’ powers were so destroyed and broken in August of 1945, The use of the atomic bombs was intense and overly extreme measures to be taken when japan was already weak. Myths of Other Atomic Bombs A pivotal aspect to the development of atomic bombs during World War two was the rush to compete with the myths surrounding the concepts that Germany would soon be able to make their own atomic weapon and use it against the United States of America. If United States intelligence was aware that Germany had begun preliminary testing of atomic bombs, then it would add to the necessity to even having one of these weapons of mass destruction. The fear of Germany making their own atomic bomb pushed along the United States building process of their own bombs in order to compete with Germany and even be the first to use this technology in combat. However, the development of a German atomic bomb was extremely shaky. Despite rumors and myths, Germans never successfully created a nuclear weapon during World War two. Mark Walker, author of Nazi Science: Myth, Truth, and the German Atomic bomb, referred to the Nazi atomic bombs as a unicorn, “It never really existed” (243). This demonstrates how the German bomb was a figment of their imagination and never became a reality. Also, to further ensure that the German bomb would not develop Norwegian resistance stepped in and curbed the production in its beginning phases (http://www.dailykos.com). Finally, Germans lacked the necessary resources in order to build an armed atomic bomb (http://www.unmuseum.org). Therefore, all theories of a German atomic bomb were extremely exaggerated and the United States was far ahead of any of the Axis powers in the development of nuclear weapons. Additionally, since the United States were clearly the only country at the time that could realistically use nuclear bombs since their only true competitor’s, Nazi Germany’s, efforts had faltered. The perceived need to create and use these bombs before them was superficial. Furthermore, The United States used these bombs in order to demonstrate their dominance to the rest of the world as an international powerhouse. This can be concluded because the United States chose to use a brand new type of technology that no other nation, at the time, could create in order to send a message to the rest of the world. The tide of World War two had already shifted in favor of the Allies after the surrender of Nazi Germany and this gave the United States a perfect chance to showcase their militaristic prowess, but at a severe cost to human life. A Necessary Evil Some supporters of the use of nuclear weapons call them a “necessary evil”.
Those who call the bombs that said term, choose to value the life of an ally soldier over the life of a Japanese soldier. Although that is understandable; a life is a life and furthermore many of those killed in the attack were not even soldiers, but rather women and children who lived in the cities. These bombs were the single most destructive weapons ever built. For example, the first bomb dropped on Hiroshima killed somewhere between 40,000 to 60,000 people instantaneously and even more died later on due to radiation. The second bomb killed nearly just as many people. The two bombs caused severe loss of life, crippling destruction the two cities, but left radiation that
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The war was coming to a victorious conclusion for the Allies. Germany had fallen, and it was only a matter of time until Japan would fall as well. Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson was at the forefront of the American war effort, and saw atomic weaponry as a way out of the most monumental war ever. As discussed in Cabell Phillips’ book, The Truman Presidency: The History of a Triumphant Succession, Stimson was once quoted as saying that the atomic bomb has “more effect on human affairs than the theory of Copernicus and the Law of Gravity” (55). Stimson, a defendant of dropping the bomb on Japan, felt that the world would never be the same. If the world would change after using atomic weapons, could it possibly have changed for the better? One would think not. However, that person might be weary of the biased opinion of White House personnel. He or she should care more for the in depth analytical studies done by experts who know best as to why America should or should not have dropped the atomic bomb. As more and more evidence has been presented to researchers, expert opinion on whether or not the United States should have dropped the two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki has also changed. More and more researchers seem to feel that the atomic bomb should never have been used (Alperovitz 16). Despite several officials’ claims to enormous death estimations, an invasion of Japan would have cost fewer total lives. In addition, post atomic bomb repercussions that occurred, such as the Arms Race, were far too great a price to pay for the two atomic drops. However, possibly the most compelling argument is that Japan would have surrendered with or without the United States using the atomic bomb. In defiance of top...
To fully examine the factors that led to the United States dropping an atomic bomb on the city of Nagasaki, one can look at the event as a result of two major decisions. The first decision concerned the use of newly developed nuclear weapons in lieu of other military techniques to secure a timely Japanese surrender. The second decision was to use several of these weapons instead of only one. Although the Truman administration displayed little hesitation or ambivalence over the decision to use atomic weapons (Walker, 51), it is important to examine what factors contributed to these swift actions. It was believed that dropping an atomic bomb on Nagasaki would resolve a number of problems in a simpler fashion than prolonging the conventional warfare until Japan finally ceded defeat.
In Prompt and Utter Destruction, J. Samuel Walker provides the reader with an elaborate analysis of President Truman’s decision behind using the atomic bomb in Japan. He provokes the reader to answer the question for himself about whether the use of the bomb was necessary to end the war quickly and without the loss of many American lives. Walker offers historical and political evidence for and against the use of the weapon, making the reader think critically about the issue. He puts the average American into the shoes of the Commander and Chief of the United States of America and forces us to think about the difficulty of Truman’s decision.
This investigation assesses President Harry Truman’s decision to drop atomic bombs on both Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It will determine whether or not his decision was justified. This investigation will scrutinize the reasons that made Harry Truman feel inclined to drop atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Preventing further casualties along with the desire to end the war are two argumentative points that will be analyzed to determine if they were strong enough to justify the dropping of the atomic bombs. Excerpts from Truman’s memoirs and a variety of different titles were consulted in order to undertake this investigation. Section C will evaluate two sources for their origins purposes values and limitations. The first is a book titled The Invasion of Japan written by John Stakes in 1955. And the second is a book titled Prompt & Utter Destruction written by J. Samuel Walker.
Upon reading “Prompt and Utter Destruction: Truman and the Use of Atomic Bombs Against Japan” by J. Samuel Walker, a reader will have a clear understanding of both sides of the controversy surrounding Truman’s decision to drop atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. The controversy remains of whether or not atomic bombs should have been used during the war. After studying this text, it is clear that the first atomic bomb, which was dropped on the city of Hiroshima, was a necessary military tactic on ending the war. The second bomb, which was dropped on Nagasaki, however, was an unnecessary measure in ensuring a surrender from the Japanese, and was only used to seek revenge.
Although WW II ended over 50 years ago there is still much discussion as to the events which ended the War in the Pacific. The primary event which historians attribute to this end are the use of atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Although the bombing of these cities did force the Japanese to surrender, many people today ask “Was the use of the atomic bomb necessary to end the war?” and more importantly “Why was the decision to use the bomb made?” Ronald Takaki examines these questions in his book Hiroshima.
We agree that, whatever be one’s judgment of the war in principle, the surprise bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are morally indefensible. The “8 Primary Pros and Cons of Dropping the Atomic Bomb” People also say how Japan was already defeated, concluding why the bombs were unnecessary. Although, many others say that the dropping of the atomic bombs saved their lives, but the debate over the decision to drop the atomic bomb will never be resolved. The war against Japan bestowed the Allies with entirely new problems as they encountered an enemy with utterly unfamiliar tactics.
The United States of America’s use of the atomic bomb on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki has spurred much debate concerning the necessity, effectiveness, and morality of the decision since August 1945. After assessing a range of arguments about the importance of the atomic bomb in the termination of the Second World War, it can be concluded that the use of the atomic bomb served as the predominant factor in the end of the Second World War, as its use lowered the morale, industrial resources, and military strength of Japan. The Allied decision to use the atomic bomb not only caused irreparable physical damage on two major Japanese cities, but its use also minimized the Japanese will to continue fighting. These two factors along
...ar the use of weapons of this magnitude, the American idea of the Japanese people has changed, and we now have set up preventions in the hope of avoiding the use of nuclear weaponry. John Hersey provides a satisfactory description of the atomic bombing. Most writers take sides either for or against the atom bomb. Instead of taking a side, he challenges his readers to make their own opinions according to their personal meditations. On of the key questions we must ask ourselves is “Are actions intended to benefit the large majority, justified if it negatively impacts a minority?” The greatest atrocity our society could make is to make a mistake and not learn from it. It is important, as we progress as a society, to learn from our mistakes or suffer to watch as history repeats itself.
Maddox, Robert. “The Biggest Decision: Why We Had to Drop the Atomic Bomb.” Taking Sides: Clashing View in United States History. Ed. Larry Madaras & James SoRelle. 15th ed. New York, NY. 2012. 280-288.
One of the most argued topics today, the end of World War II and the dropping of the atomic bombs still rings in the American ear. Recent studies by historians have argued that point that the United States really did not make the right choice when they chose to drop the atomic bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Also with the release of once classified documents, we can see that the United States ...
The Atomic Age represents the most epic era and composed of diverse controversial issues in the human history. In the late 1945, President Harry Truman informed to drop two atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These two bombs quickly yielded the surrender of Japan and the end the World War 2. However, the impact of it led us to debate whether this decision was actually right or so. First off, it would be hard to imagine how Japan would have been surrendered without the atomic bomb. Therefore to save many American lives, President Truman believed that it was his duty to end the war as soon as possible. But the bombs took away innocent lives and killed civilians indiscriminately. “Atomic Age America” written by Martin
To choose whether or not it was morally sound to use the atomic bomb, we must first examine the background as to what circumstances it was dropped under. In 1945, American soldiers and civilians were weary from four years of war, yet the Japanese military was refusing to give up their fight. American forces occupied Okinawa and Iwo Jima and intensely fire bombed Japanese cities. But Japan had an army of 2 million strong stationed in the home islands guarding against Allied invasion. After the completion of the Manhattan Project, For Truman, the choice whether or not to use the atomic bomb was the most difficult decision of his life. First, an Allied demand for an immediate unconditional surrender was made to the leadership in Japan. Although the demand stated that refusal would result in total destruction, no mention of any new weapons of mass destruction was made. The Japanese military commander Hideki Tojo rejected the request for unconditional s...
The bomb that landed in Hiroshima was called the “Little Boy” (World War 2 Atomic Bomb 2). The bomb ended up killing about 170,000 people. 70,000 people died the first day and 100,000 people died in the next few months due to the radioactivity of the bomb and burns from the bombing (Ford 1).... ... middle of paper ...
Adrian Shocks Mrs. Daniels English 3B 1/23/14. Why Was the Bomb Dropped The United States dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima was a decision with immense thought behind it. To this day, there are arguments that support both sides of the decision. In the end, dropping the bomb was the best option for the United States. Unfortunately, there wasn’t an abundance of options and dropping the bomb was the most appealing in all aspects.