The atomic bomb is one of the most transformative, yet controversial, inventions of the 20th century. Its devastating power demonstrated in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August of 1945. With these bombings, the world was thrown into the nuclear age and international relations were reshaped. The use of atomic bombs on civilian populations remains a topic of intense debate, many justifying it with the necessity of ending World War II. Others argue about the moral implications of targeting innocent lives. The creation of the atomic bomb, while controversial, is a feat of scientific and engineering ingenuity. The process requires meticulous precision, and is very complex. At every atom’s center, there is a nucleus. Breaking the nucleus …show more content…
On August 6th, 1945, Little Boy was dropped over Hiroshima. Killing between an estimated 90,000 to 146,000 people. Three days later, on August 9th, 1945, Fat Man was dropped over Nagasaki, killing an estimated 60,000 to 80,000 people. Roughly half of these deaths occurred on the first day, and most of them were civilians. The usage of atomic bombs was influenced by military strategy, political considerations, and a strong desire to end World War II quickly. At the time, it was argued that dropping these bombs would save lives in the long run. Specifically, by avoiding a prolonged ground invasion of Japan. Using these atomic bombs introduced the world to the devastating power of nuclear weapons, as well as opening up a new world of nuclear physics. The bombings of Hiroshima have since been the subject of intense ethical debate, raising questions about the morality of using weapons of mass destruction against civilian populations. In the aftermath of World War II, the future use of atomic bombs has been a central concern in international relations, leading to the development of various treaties and agreements aimed at controlling nuclear proliferation and preventing nuclear warfare. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) for example, was established to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear …show more content…
There were many negative effects on survivors in terms of health and social/economic aspects that lasted many years. Surviving victims of these bombings suffered from burns and Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS). ARS is a collection of health effects that are caused by high exposure to ionizing radiation over a short period of time. Symptoms can start within an hour of exposure, and can last several months. Early symptoms are usually nausea, skin burns, vomiting and a loss of appetite. Within the following hours or weeks, these symptoms may appear to improve before the development of more symptoms. Later symptoms can include infections, bleeding, dehydration, or confusion. After that, either recovery or death follows. The bombings had psychological effects on survivors, and the broader population. The trauma of experiencing such catastrophic events, including the loss of loved ones and the destruction of their homes and communities, left lasting scars on the survivors. In addition to the human toll, the bombings also had significant political and social consequences. They contributed to the growing fear of nuclear warfare, and the arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. These bombings showed the destructive power of nuclear weapons and raised concerns about their potential for widespread devastation if used for future