In August of 1945, Hiroshima, Japan and Nagasaki, Japan were hit by the atomic bombs dropped by the United States Air Force. Some say that the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki saved a million, if not more, American and Japanese lives by ending the war; others say that the bombings ignited the present day "nuclear race." Although only a small fraction of the bombs' power was used, the bombings are still considered the greatest explosions on Earth to date (Siemes). The bombing was ranked as first in the events which affected the world most (Komiyama). Not only did this bombing end World War II and affect many lives by causing cancer and other diseases that still exist today, but it also led to the strive to improve nuclear technology, which …show more content…
Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945, one week after the Hiroshima bombing. Though World War II had ended, the nuclear race had just begun. "Many countries [began to carry] out various nuclear bomb tests in many parts of the world"(Komiyama). The United States and the Soviet Union had their own nuclear race during the Cold War. Both countries began research on nuclear weapons, including the fusion bomb, also known as a hydrogen bomb or thermonuclear bomb. A current nuclear race is ensuing between India and Pakistan. "Today, a five-nation exclusive nuclear club with the United States, United Kingdom, Russia, France and China has the most nuclear weapons in the world; the United States has 12,000 warheads, Russia 22,000, France 500, United Kingdom nearly 400, and China 500-700" (Komiyama). In the event of a nuclear war, earth itself will be affected, not just individual countries. Cities and forest will burn; rivers will become polluted and toxic. "Winds will spread the flames, and the earth will be enveloped in a cloud of darkness. Nuclear races can easily turn out into a Third World War"