The chilling bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was a hotly debated subject for many in the US because of the devastation they left behind. Two contrasting beliefs arose during the debate: Gar Alperovitz and Herbert Feis, where two historians argued for the opposing sides. Gar Alperoviz argued that there was no justification for killing the lives of pedestrians, and Herbert feis disagreed, saying that it was unavoidable and ended up saving more lives than it ended. Though both sides make pretty solid points, Gar Alperoviz’s argument is more morally and legally sensible. Alperov was a historian, economist, and a founder of the Harvard institute. He believed that the murdering civilians with the Booming could never be justified. “for even if …show more content…
He believed that the nuclear bombing of Japan was unavoidable and ended us saving millions more lives than if they had not dropped it. He is quoted saying in his books Japin subdued that “ Their thoughts about its employment were governed by one reason which was deemed imperative: that by using the bomb, the agony of war might be ended more quickly. “ (Japan Subdued) The point that booth Historians make about the decrease in death’s (specifically American’s) is supported by general Duglus Micarther who predicted, “U.S. casualties of up to 1 million.” (History) which would be a massive loss. But still, the people dying would at least not have been unprotected …show more content…
Perhaps if we had just let Japan keep its figurehead, we could have solved the war with fewer civilian causalities. However, According to the National WW2 Museum, US leaders believed that “The “retentionists” insisted that promising Hirohito’s continued status as emperor was both essential to obtain the surrender of Japan and to secure compliance with that surrender by Japan’s armed forces.” This would align with Herbert’s belief that there could be no other way and an unconditional surrender was necessary, and not using the nukes would be the only way to end the war swiftly. In the end, America won an unconditional victory, and Japan lost its