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Atomic Bomb Decision Essay

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The decision to use atomic bombs against Japan during World War II remains one of the most controversial and debated topics in modern history. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6th and 9th, 1945, respectively, were the first and only times that nuclear weapons were used in warfare. The bombings resulted in the deaths of over 200,000 Japanese civilians and military personnel and ultimately led to Japan's surrender and the end of the war. However, the decision to use the atomic bombs remains highly controversial, with some arguing that it was necessary to end the war quickly, while others argue that it was unnecessary and unethical. In this essay, I will examine the factors that led to the decision to use atomic bombs, the arguments for and against the decision, and the legacy of the bombings. …show more content…

President Harry S. Truman, who had taken over after the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was faced with the difficult decision of how to end the war against Japan. By August 1945, Japan had suffered significant losses on both land and sea, and its leaders were split on whether to surrender or fight to the death. The United States and its allies had been engaged in a brutal and costly war against Japan for several years, and the prospect of a long and costly invasion of Japan's home islands loomed large. Truman was faced with several options for ending the war. One option was to continue with conventional bombing campaigns against Japan, which had been ongoing for several years but had not yet forced Japan to surrender. Another option was to launch a large-scale invasion of Japan's home islands, which was estimated to result in a high number of casualties on both sides. Finally, Truman had the option of using the newly developed atomic bombs, which promised to end the war quickly but carried significant ethical

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Would this imperialistic empire accept an unconditional surrender that would go against their national interests for the international welfare and security? Aforementioned evidence puts forward a different approach, the idea that Japan would have been persistent in their futile efforts to combat Allied forces—to maintain dignity and avoid humiliation. Inevitably lengthening the war, an estimated 1.7 to 4 million American and 5 to 10 million Japanese casualties would have occurred through a ground invasion of Japan. An actively planned invasion proposed by allied forces for a means to neutralize Japan and end World War Two. Also known as “Operation Downfall”— an atrocity prevented as a result of Harry Truman’s decision to use nuclear warfare.

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Although this atomic bomb appeared to be needed, it was seen to be an immoral instrument of destruction by many. The Nippon Times had stated, “This is not war; this is not even murder, this is pure nihilism. This is a crime against God and humanity which strikes at the very basis of moral existence” (David M., 419). In addition, there was no advantage of hurling the bomb without announcing the possession of it to Japan. Through this announcement, Japan may have been more aware of the true power America had and may have resulted in them surrendering (David M., 421).

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The United States invasion of Japan led to numerous casualties and severe damage yet Japan stood its ground, proving it would fight to the death. At times violence is the answer; Japan had no intention of surrendering, no matter the consequence. U.S. Secretary of war, Henry Stimson, confirms that “only the complete destruction of her military power could open the way to lasting peace”.(Document B) Each day brought great suffering, and the only logical solution to dealing with millions of suicidal soldiers was to kill off the problem. After the Japanese repeatedly refused to surrender the United States was forced to put its nuclear warfare to use and bomb both Hiroshima and Nagasaki, doing what they believed was their only

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This was seen as being more honorable than surrendering to the enemy. With this knowledge, the United States and the rest of the Allies had to weigh their options. Should a full-scale invasion of the Japanese mainland be carried out, where innumerable military and civilian casualties alike would take place? Or should a new type of warfare be brought into play? After planning and analyzing an entire invasion, the allies made the tough decision to drop the bombs on both Japanese cities.

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Near the end of World War II, President Harry S. Truman was faced with a difficult decision. He had to make a choice about what to do with Japan. Germany had surrendered to the Allies, but Japan kept fighting. Truman had to choose whether or not to invade Japan and drag the war on or use America’s new weapon, the atomic bomb, to end the war quickly.

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When the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima no one really knew what the overall outcome would be as this was the first attack of this sort ever used. The eventual reported outcome of loss of life was in excess of 135,000. There were tens of thousands more wounded and a portion of Japan left uninhabitable. Ultimately, the US use of nuclear weapons against Japan was revered to be more as a showing of the US advancements in the Arms Race than it was to bring about a cessation to the war and save US troops from having to continue ground assaults in the Pacific Theatre. This was the justification Truman used to justify his decision to himself, congress and the American people.

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Was America right to use atomic weapons against Japan? The dropping of the atomic bomb in Japan at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, was the end of WWII. However, there has been much conflict considering the use of the bomb. In this essay, I will discuss reasons from both sides of the argument and justify my opinion.

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Truman was the president of the United States at the time, so its obvious why he choose to drop the bomb. It would save more American lives this way. “It would have been morally wrong if we’d have had that weapon and did not use it and let a million more people die” (Doc L). If he didn’t drop it, about 400,000 to 800,000 American lives would have been lost (OI). If Japan couldn’t make war, there wouldn’t be war.

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The allies were still fighting the Japanese in the Pacific even the war in Europe ended. President Truman had choices about using the atomic bomb. He warn Japan to surrender, but Japan did not respond. “We 
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The decisions made to drop the A-bomb in Japan by president Harry Truman are often criticized, but to judge an opinion based off of the standards of this day and era is meaningless. Although everyone has different propositions, views, or opinions the decision that Truman made to protect his country seems like the only justifiable solution of ending this war. President Harry Truman had to make one of the most difficult decisions ever known to mankind. Many critics recognize the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as merciless acts to express the United States mobilization of their military superiority. Therefore, in question of this laborious outcome, how did the United States and Truman come to their commitment of terrorizing millions of lives

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Japan was showing no sign of backing down. Truman wanted to guarantee the surrender of Japan. He also wanted to end the war before the Soviet Union entered Japan because he knew Joseph Stalin was not interested in a peaceful ending ( Nichols 2 ). He knew an invasion like the one in Germany where the Nazi armies were crushed between the U.S. and British forces and the Soviet troops was not going to occur in Japan (Nichols 1). Truman had no choice but to allow the bomb dropping since Japan refused to surrender on July 28, 1945 (“Potsdam and the Final Decision to use the Bomb” 6 ).

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In fact, Ralph A. Bard, Undersecretary of the Navy wrote to Secretary of War Stimson in a June 27, 1945 memorandum. “I define this decision as an emotional and reckless decision, Japanese government may be searching for some opportunity which they could use as a medium of surrender” (Bard). In fact, the Japanese government expressed desire to end the war, and would have accepted conditional surrender before the mainland invasion in November. The reason for dropping the bomb was forcing Japan to surrender unconditionally. In America’s opinion, Japan had lost the war; they did not have any capital to negotiate with.

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The alternative for President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his advisors was doing nothing and letting Nazi Germany develop atomic power and going on to use it to conquer the world. The United States of America wanted to end World War II on both the Atlantic and Pacific fronts and needed the quickest possible method to do so. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s advisors concluded that hundreds of thousands of American lives would be lost on an assault on the island of Japan. The U.S. Armed Forces was over 16,000,000 strong and Franklin D. Roosevelt’s main motive for dropping the atom bombs was to save American lives.5

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Truman had other options than the atomic bomb and one of them is Operation Downfall a.k.a the invasion of Japan. Operation Downfall would have been a go if we never used the atomic bomb. Invading Japan would’ve been lunacy because America just finished defeating Nazi Germany and would have to know invade Japan with an exhausted military. Japan would also be a difficult country to invade due to their code of honor. “Japanese soldiers brought antique samurai swords into battle and made suicidal “banzai” attacks according to the Bushido principle of death before dishonor or defeat.”

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President Truman and his associates believed that if they dropped the bomb they would receive surrender from Japan. Thus, saving millions of American lives, and ending the war. Nevertheless, by saving American lives they would sacrifice thousands of Japanese civilians. They had other idea to have Japan to surrender, but were willing to take the one that would have the most consequences. They were thinking too much about the US instead of creating actually peace within the nations.

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