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The Pros And Cons Of Atomic Bombing

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Every year in August the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima (August 6, 1945) and Nagasaki (August 9, 1945) remains one of the most arguable events in the modern history. Nevertheless it is actively debated topic whether the bombings were necessary and what effect they had on bringing the war in the Pacific Theatre to an efficient end. Furthermore, what the other options were available to the United States. These very same questions were also argumentative at the time, as the American government struggled with how to use a incredibly powerful new weaponry and what the long-term impact of atomic weaponry might be, not just on the Japanese, but on domestic politics, America’s international relations, and the budding Cold War with the Soviet Union. In this essay I will examine the Americas use of nuclear weaponry against Japan in August 1945 and will argue that it was necessary to use atomic power in order to defeat Japan. …show more content…

According to the Gallup poll of August 16, 1945, 85 percent of those Americans surveyed approved the atomic bombings, while only 10 percent disapproved and 5 percent had no opinion. Yet most Americans praised the bomb for ending a bloody war. Whether dropping the atomic bomb was necessary has become entangled with the separate issue of anger at Japan`s sneak attack and the brutality of its military, the bombing of Shanghai, the Rape of Nanking and the force prostitution of korean women. For Americans with bitter memories of such events as the Pearl Harbor attack and the Bataan Death March, Hiroshima and Nagasaki were appropriate vengeance for Japan's alleged deceptions and

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Walker does not just take the reader on a tour of the decision-making process of President Truman and shows what made him to order the use of Atomic bombs on Japan, but he also provide an exploration of the historical situation that prompted the decision. He also examines the viewpoint of the Japanese, not only regarding the impact of the bombings on their ultimate decision to surrender, but also how their Allies called for an unconditional surrender. This call could possibly have led to the Japanese Emperor, Hirohito, being tried on counts of war crimes, which may have possibly made the Japanese to be reluctant on surrendering even in light of a crushing defeat (Huczko). Samuel Walker also provides useful insights into contribution made by the decision to use Atomic weapons on Japanese decision to surrender.

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Although Fussell admits that the bomb was a “most cruel ending to that most cruel war”, and that those who claim that the use of the atom bomb was wrong are simply attempting to “resolve ambiguity” concerning the ethics of war, he believes that the bomb was, without doubt, necessary. Using mainly statistics and accounts of soldiers, Fussell introduces several compelling figures. First, he reveals that for the anticipated Allied invasion of Japan, “one million American casualties was the expected price“. Secondly, Fussell tells us that “Universal national kamikaze was the point” which means that every man, woman, and child in Japan would have been prepared to sacrifice their life in defense of the homeland. If this suicidal loyalty is taken into consideration, it seems that the loss of Japanese life upon the invasion of the mainland would have far outweighed the actual loss of life that occurred when Hiroshima and Nagasaki were destroyed.

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The choice to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States remains one of the most controversial decisions made in history. In Wilson D. Miscamble’s book, The Most Controversial Decision, he writes about the history of the atomic bomb and attempts to answer some of the most contentious questions surrounding the event. In an attempt to understand what happened and to find the truth, Miscamble leads the reader through a documented history of the bombing. In this essay, I will analyze the structure, thesis, and the contents of the book while assessing its strengths and weaknesses. Further, I will share my own views on the book and other views on the questions addressed.

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This article criticizes Truman’s decision to use the atomic bomb, deeming it avoidable. Alperovitz utilizes evidence suggesting that America just wanted to intimidate the Soviet Union. His quote, “The timing itself has obviously raised questions among many historians.” (Alperovitz, 3) serves to question the suspicious timing of the bombs being dropped. Alperovitz expresses that other historians, in addition to himself, feel that the bombings were handily timed in order to intimidate the Soviet Union.

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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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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.

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Imagine living in a period in which the realities of war encased the world, and the lethal potential to end all suffering was up to a single being. During World War II, tensions between Japan and the United States increased. Despite pleas from US President, Harry Truman, for Japan to surrender, the Japanese were intent on continuing the fight. As a result, Truman ordered the atomic bomb, a deadly revolution in nuclear science, to be dropped on the towns of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. President Harry Truman, in his speech, “Announcement of the Dropping of the Atomic Bomb,” supports his claim that the dropping of the A-bomb shortened the war, saved lives, and got revenge by appealing to American anger by mentioning traumatic historical events and

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The decision to use nuclear bombs at the end of World War II was a watershed moment in history that continues to inspire discussion and study. It marks a watershed moment in history, reshaping the world order and ushering in a new age defined by the great destructive force of atomic bombs. A thorough review of primary and secondary sources is required to appreciate the complexity and significance of this judgment. Official pronouncements, correspondence, and firsthand recollections are examples of primary sources, whereas secondary sources give greater historical context and scholarly interpretation. This essay examines a variety of primary and secondary sources to get a comprehensive grasp of the reasons, controversies, and repercussions

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Without the important work of these historians, the debate would still be stuck stagnantly in a polarized lane, which is debating who is the more “ethically and morally” strong country. The discourse surrounding the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki has immensely differed both in the public eye and through the words of professional historians. When the public discusses “true” controversial issues outlined by Zimmerman and Robertson, it often leads to intense polarization and emotional reactions, which lead to harmful and uneducated mindsets. However, with the work conducted by historians such as Ward Wilson, Tristian Grunow, and Kenneth B. Pyle, the discussion surrounding the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki can offer insight that was not previously stated. This provides insights that can make the public view and discussion surrounding the events distinctly beneficial to create a broader discourse.

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The purpose of my investigation will be to establish the importance of the new weapon at the very end of the Second World War. The investigation will be done through the two major events of this period: the Potsdam Conference of July 1945, and the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (linked with the Russo-Japanese war of August 1945). This study is based on three historical and academic books and one magazine focusing on this period.

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