In 1945, America used a new and controversial weapon to annihilate thousands of Japanese civilians to end World War II. Stretching from 1939 to 1945, WWII was a battle between the Axis and Allied powers. The Axis powers wanted to attack communists and imperialize nations. The Allied powers wanted to defend themselves against the Axis powers and protect their nation. The Allied powers defeated the Axis powers, but Japan continued to attack the Pacific coast.
But German was so strong. During World War II, Winston chuchill become Prime Minister. Many people fight, and in December of 1941, japan bomed the U.S. Territory of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The U.S. Immediarely declared war on Japan, and the Pacific War began. Than, Aprill 1945 after untold casualties on all sides, World War II ended following Germany 's defeat at the lands of the U.A. And the
In the United States, it is often taught that the use of nuclear weapons in Hiroshima and Nagasaki was the deciding factor for the Japanese to surrender during World War II. However, upon closer inspection that may not be the reason why. For example, by the time both cities were destroyed Japan had already lost dozens of cities to American fire bombs and conventional raids. As a result, the only difference between the cities that were previously burned and Hiroshima and Nagasaki was the type of weapon used. Therefore,the Japanese government was aware and accustomed to loosing cities and large number of civilian lives.
US raids on Japan caused about 241,000 deaths, 313,000 wounded people, and approximately 2,333,000 homes to be destroyed. No supplies could be brought in and few industries still stood to help. (Doc B) Therefore, Japan was on the verge of surrender and the bombing was not the most
If the bombs had not been dropped, anywhere from 500,000 to 2,000,000 more people would have been killed on both the American and Japanese sides (Doc C-1). A fact that often
The Japanese military was weak and did not have a good chance of winning the war, but that did not stop them from surrendering. “After the Hiroshima attack, a faction of Japan’s supreme war council favored acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration, but the majority resisted unconditional surrender” (Japan Surrenders). The Japanese wanted to fight until death. The U.S. dropped bombs in Tokyo killing thousands of people and almost destroying the whole city. The U.S. was surprised they did not give up.
Consequently, over 130,000 Japanese people were killed when the first bomb dropped. On the other hand, this number is insignificant to the amount of Americans the Japanese killed throughout the war and Pearl Harbor. Last, the Japanese citizens were committing suicide. Due to the Japanese honor code when the Americans took over islands or places with Japanese citizens often the citizens would commit suicide by jumping off of cliffs. They did this because they thought it was a better solution then giving into the Americans.
Upwards of 70 million people died in WWII. Starting in 1939 the war ravaged the planet, millions upon millions of deaths, and no end in sight. It was clear that something needed to be done. Japan specifically showed no sign of surrendering, so to prevent the deaths of Americans, Truman made the executive decision to drop the atomic bombs. On August 6th and 9th respectively atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
In late July of 1945 at the Potsdam Conference, the Allied leaders gave the Japanese a chance to surrender, and they totally rejected it (Doc. 1). After the American invasion of Iwo Jima, the Japanese defenders felt discouraged and defeated, as well as desperate to do whatever it took to win (Doc. D). So, by dropping the bomb and ending the war quickly, the opportunity for the Japanese to brutally attack the U.S in a desperate scramble to win was eliminated. Although Japan would need to use money to rebuild the destroyed areas, ending the war saved both sides from spending even more trying to clutch the victory, as the United States alone spent over 4 trillion dollars on the war (Harrington, John and Suneson, Grant.). In all, both sides were relieved by dropping the atomic bomb and ending the war more
Hundreds of thousands died, almost half of the population of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The effects were devastating for the slowly dying, and family and friends of the dead. In document “Effects of Atomic Attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki” it shows a burned corpse and miserable doctors. But all would agree that the American government announced the Potsdam Declaration and warned Japan that “prompt and utter destruction” would follow the refusal of surrender. The US also dropped leaflets around the city telling citizens that “So, in accordance with America's humanitarian policies, the American Air Force, which does not wish to injure innocent people, now gives you warning to evacuate the cities named and save your lives.”
World War II was one of the most traumatic, life costing wars in history. The ongoing fighting between the globe’s strongest countries was excruciating. The war in the Pacific between the United States and Japan was hard-fought. Each side had always planned their invasions thoroughly. Although the dropping of the atomic bomb was deadly for many Japanese citizens in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, it still counted as one of the most strategic plans to end the war as quickly as possible with limited casualties.
On September 2 1945, World War Two ended. 16 million soldiers left, only 4 million came back. (The Points Were All That Mattered: The US Army’s Demobilization After World War II) The dropping of the atomic bomb protected these numbers so that lives were saved causing more men to return and get reunited with their families. On August 6, 1945 the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima and millions of Americans rejoiced knowing they would see their family again.
Japan had to accept unconditional surrender; if they disagreed with that request, America would drop the bomb. What made the Japanese surrender was the retention of their emperor; anything else couldn’t have forced a Japanese surrender, including the attack of the atomic bomb. As Japan's Prime Minister Suzuki spelled out on June 9, 1945. “Should the Emperor system be abolished, they [the Japanese people] would lose all reason for existence…. [and have] no choice but to go on fighting to the last man” (Butow).
World War II was a global war that lasted six years, involving the majority of the world’s nations. The war introduced some of the most frightening and highly developed weaponry in history and resulted in an estimated 80 million fatalities. During the last stages of the war, the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Over 180,000 civilians lost their lives (American Yawp). This massacre left many people questioning America’s motivation for using such a destructive weapon.
By 1945, those involved in the Second World War were exhausted. There had been millions of casualties, millions were still suffering and countries were in turmoil. After six years of war, those involved were ready for it to be over. By the end of 1944 the Axis had collapsed. Once Germany unconditionally surrendered on May 8, 1945, the Allies were hoping Japan would surrender too.
