Consequences Of The Atomic Bomb On Hiroshima And Nagasaki

1024 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Negative impacts of the atomic bomb

On August 6, 1945, the United States became the first, and only, nation to use atomic weaponry during wartime when it dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The explosion immediately killed 80,000 people, and tens of thousands more died of radiation exposure. Three days later, a second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. An estimated 40,000 people lost their lives there. Though the dropping of the atomic bomb on Japan helped mark the end of World War II, many people, including me, argue that it was unjustifiable. Throughout this essay, one will see how dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was unjustifiable because there were alternatives, the bombs were illegal, and it was inhumane. There were many alternatives that the U.S. could have used instead of dropping the bombs. First, the U.S. …show more content…

Civilian populations were not allowed to be bombed, even if there was military motive behind it. However, some argue that since the U.S. was not a member of the League of Nations, its laws did not apply. Additionally, there were arguments brought up about the fact that the League of Nations had been disbanded in 1939, before the atomic bombs were created, however that is irrelevant. Even more so, the League did not outlaw nuclear weapons. (Barnes, 2013) To that, one could argue that because America likes to be the example of how to run a country for everyone else in the world, one would think that the U.S. would see the atomic bombs as horrific. One would also think that because America would never want any other country to drop atomic bombs, that they would not do it themselves. Also, if nuclear weapons had existed, they would have been outlawed because of how much destruction they

Show More
Related

  • Examing the Factors That Led To Dropping the Atomic Bomb on Nagasaki

    1303 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Prompt and Utter Destruction

    1090 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Ronald Takakis Hiroshima

    2111 Words  | 5 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Dropping The Atomic Bomb

    1246 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Atomic Bomb Dbq

    1981 Words  | 4 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • The Benefits of Dropping an Atomic Bomb on Japan

    1278 Words  | 3 Pages

    The benefits that the bomb had on our society have been invaluable. Permitting the use of the atomic bomb was an atrocious mistake.In John Hersey's book, Hiroshima, he interviews a German priest serving in Japan. This priest, Father Kleinsorge, provides a first hand account of the immorality, justification, and consequences thereof; “The crux of the matter is whether total war in its present form is justifiable even when it s...

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On The Atomic Age

    1593 Words  | 4 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • The Atomic Bombs

    734 Words  | 2 Pages

    As World War 2, came to a close, The United States unleashed a secret atomic weapon upon the enemy nation of Japan that was quickly recognized as the most powerful wartime weapon in human history. They completely destroyed the entire Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and essentially vaporized countless innocent Japanese lives. Some historians believe that it was a foolish, brutal decision to use the atomic bomb on a weakened Japan, and that the civilians of the country did not deserve that kind of mass-annihilation. On the opposite side, other historians assert that dropping the bomb saved countless American and Japanese lives by ending the war faster than a regular invasion would have. What is undisputed is that this sad event dramatically changed the course of human history.

    Read More

  • Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

    1914 Words  | 4 Pages

    In August of 1945, both of the only two nuclear bombs ever used in warfare were dropped on the Japanese cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. These two bombs shaped much of the world today.

    Read More

  • The Decision To Drop The Atomic Bomb

    884 Words  | 2 Pages

    President Truman's decision to drop the atomic bomb on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were the direct cause for the end of World War II in the Pacific. The United States felt it was necessary to drop the atomic bombs on these two cities or it would suffer more casualties. Not only could the lives of many soldiers have been taken, but possibly the lives of many innocent Americans. The United States will always try to avoid the loss of American civilians at all costs, even if that means taking lives of another countries innocent civilians.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On The Atomic Bomb

    1439 Words  | 3 Pages

    “The atomic bomb certainly is the most powerful of all weapons, but it is conclusively powerful and effective only in the hands of the nation which controls the sky” (Johnson 1). Throughout World War II, the war was in pieces. The Germans were almost at world domination along with their allies, the Italians and Japanese. The Japanese and United states had remained at combat with each other since the bombarding of the Pearl Harbor ("U.S. Drops Atomic Bomb on Japan "1). There was abundant controversy as to whether the United States should have used the atomic bombs or not. There were many factors as to the argument relating to the atomic bombs leading to the United States final decision. Many people had arguments for the bombing and others had arguments against the bombings but it is still not determined if the United States made the right decision.

    Read More

  • Atomic Bomb Morality

    1771 Words  | 4 Pages

    The development of the atomic bomb and chemical warfare forever changed the way people saw the world. It was a landmark in time for which there was no turning back. The constant balancing of the nuclear super powers kept the whole of humankind on the brink of atomic Armageddon. Fear of nuclear winter and the uncertainty of radiation created its own form of a cultural epidemic in the United States. During these tense times in human history officials made controversial decisions such as the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Dangerous biological experiments and bombs tests were carried out in the name of the greater good and national defense. Some historians and scientists argue that the decisions and acts carried out by the U.S. during World War II and the Cold War were unethical because of the direct damage they did. The United States' decisions were moral because it can be proven their actions were aimed at achieving a greater good and those that were put in potential danger volunteered and were informed of the risk.

    Read More

  • Was The Dropping Of The Atomic Bomb Justified?

    2763 Words  | 6 Pages

    There are many people who oppose the use of the atomic bombs; though there are some that believe it was a necessity in ending the war. President Truman realized the tragic significance of the atomic bomb and made his decision to use it to shorten the agony of young Americans (“Was the Atomic Bombing”). The president knew of the way the Japanese fought. They fought to the death and they were brutal to prisoners of war. They used woman and children as soldiers to surprise bomb the enemy. They made lethal weapons and were taught to sacr...

    Read More

  • The Atomic Bomb Changed the World Forever

    2532 Words  | 6 Pages

    Introduction The development and usage of the first atomic bombs has caused a change in the military, political, and public functionality of the world today. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki revolutionized warfare by killing large masses of civilian population with a single strike. The bombs’ effects from the blast, extreme heat, and radiation left an estimated 140,000 people dead. The bombs created a temporary resolution that led to another conflict.

    Read More

  • Hiroshima And Nagasaki Justified Essay

    619 Words  | 2 Pages

    Many were left clueless of why the United States went to the extent of using the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki because using a bomb was illegal. Also, the United States was meant to serve as a model for a place with abundant human rights, but the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which was an inhumane act. A multitude of people held the opinion that the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was not justified by the United States. As a result, after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the people of the United States were left in complete disarray. The United States’s choice to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki was illegal.

    Read More

More about Consequences Of The Atomic Bomb On Hiroshima And Nagasaki

Open Document