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Atomic Bomb Necessary Essay

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Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Was the Bomb Necessary? On August 6 and 9 1945, the United States of America dropped two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagaski. The two bombs collectively killed between 129,000 and 226,000 people. The bombings carried out by the United States during the final stages of World War II marked the first and only use of nuclear weapons in warfare. The birth of the atomic bombs revolutionized modern war but there is much debate over whether the use of the bombs were justified. Despite the fact that the bombs are subject to much debate and controversy, the employment of the atomic bombs was necessary because it saved more lives than it killed, ended the war quickly, and bombs are a part of war. To begin, the pacific front …show more content…

Brutal fighting would have continued for many months if the bombs were not dropped. The United States was coming off a vicious island hopping campaign and was inching closer to the Japanese mainland. A massive attack on Japan's homeland, named “Operation Downfall.” This attack would have taken months if not years to fully complete and the loss of life would have been immense. Furthermore, During World War II, Japan was a very honorable nation that thought surrendering in battle was the most dishonorable thing someone could do. With that mindset, surrender from Japan was not in sight until all of Japan was conquered by the Americans. Both sides had no intention to surrender and would have fought to the last man. “Documents discovered after the war indicated that they were right. Despite knowing the cause was hopeless, Japan planned a resistance so ferocious, resulting in costs so appalling, that they hoped that the United States would simply call for a cease fire where each nation would agree to stop fighting and each nation would retain the territory they occupied at the time” (National Park Service). This forced the Americans to drop the bombs to show the Japanese the power they held. After the detonation of the bombs, Japan saw that they could not have won the war and needed to surrender quickly. The bombs forced Japan to face the harsh reality that they were not invincible and their resources and manpower were limited.“The war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan's advantage”(Hirohito). Japan realized that they had to protect their citizens from the devastating effects of the bombs. The bombs made it clear to both Japan and their Emperor that the United States had an extremely powerful weapon that they can use against future aggression. The bombs were a significant factor in making Japan surrender and showed the destructive power they

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According to Document G, a memoir of General H. H. Arnold, whether or not the bombs were dropped, the Japanese were already on the verge of surrendering. The United States had already killed about 241,000 people, wounded 313,000, and destroyed about 2,333,000 homes, making it increasingly evident that their decision to drop the bomb was just a selfish and easy manner to end the war. The document also states that the air force was aware that the destruction of most Japanese industries and the prevention of the arrival of the incoming cargo had made it impossible for Japan to carry out a large-scale war. With this fact, the knowledge of their increasing vulnerability was in effect throughout the military and the white house, bringing to light the leverage the United States had going through with the bombings. Overall, the decision to drop the bombs can be viewed as unnecessary as the U.S could have kept fighting knowing that

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Leaders around the world still debate whether the atomic bomb was a necessity or not. It was a military necessity to drop the atomic bomb on hiroshima. The first reason is it ended the war quickly, and saved more lives in the end. Japan was very large and if the Americans invaded it, many of them would’ve died (Doc. E). So if they didn't drop the catastrophic bomb, more Americans would have died.

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The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was the first and only time an atomic bomb was used. The bomb killed thousands of innocent Japanese civilians, and left few survivors. The Allies thought of using the bomb because it would instantly end the war, and it did, but at the cost of many innocent lives. The bomb was also used as a factor to demonstrate the power of the US, and was supposed to help push other countries out of several countries. The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was unnecessary because it gave little benefit to the Allies and led to thousands of innocent lives lost.

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In an attempt to get Japan to surrender to the Allies, in August 1945, the United States dropped two atomic bombs on the nation. The first bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and the second on Nagasaki. Although these bombs did contribute to Japan’s surrender and the end of the war, the use of this atomic weapon was an irrational and horrible decision. The United States should have abstained from using the two atomic bombs on Japan for the sake of civilian lives and possible alternatives to their decision. These bombs not only had detrimental effects on Japan, they also led to an arms race amongst several nations.

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First of all, dropping the bombs would end the war more quicker. This was a necessity because this bomb would save more lives than it took because the Japanese would not stop fighting. This is shown in the Potsdam Declaration where the Japanese rejected the offer of surrender (Doc 1). The Potsdam Declaration occurred on July 26th, 1945, and was an ultimatum made by The U.S., China, and Great Britain calling for the surrender of Japan. The terms consisted of Japan’s surrender, outside occupation of

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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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First, many lives of American soldiers were saved. One unique perspective of this is from Professor Paul Fussell, who without the bombs would have had to invade Tokyo, and would most likely have died. As Paul Fussell said in response to hearing the news of the bombs, ”We were going to live. We were going to grow to adulthood after all”(Doc. H).

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Although the dropping of the Atomic bomb ended the war quickly it was not justified because it was morally and ethically wrong, Japan was ready to surrender, and it led to the start of nuclear warfare. The dropping of the Atomic bomb introduced nuclear warfare. “From this point of view, the way in which the nuclear weapons, now secretly developed in this country,

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Japan’s cities had been destroyed and the bombs were overkill just to through defeat in Japan’s face. “ The use of this barbarous weapon at Hiroshima and Nagasaki was of no material assistance in our war against Japan. The Japanese were already defeated and ready to surrender”(Doc 2). The bomb almost seemed impatient because Japan was on their last leg, likely ready to throw up the white flag.

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All of Japan would have collapsed with everyone dying from explosions, radiation, and shelterless because all the cities would be destroyed. The Japanese wouldn’t have been able to recover if more bombs were dropped because they didn’t surrender. Many Japanese at the time still believed they should die fighting because it was a disgrace to surrender or be taken prisoner. In addition, after Hirohito realized how much his people would suffer from the bomb he said, “I cannot endure the thought of letting my people suffer any longer.” Being the Emperor of Japan, Hirohito had a responsibility to keep his people safe.

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This won the war on Japan, and ended World War Two. People to this day ask if that was a necessary action. The dropping of bombs was not necessary to win the war because Japan was already weak before the bombs, killed so many civilians, and the tremendous amount of damage that was caused.

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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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