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The Pros And Cons Of The Atomic Bombs

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On August 6th and 9th, 1945, the United States detonated the first and only atomic bombs ever used in war on Hiroshima and Nagaski. Hundreds of thousands of Japanese civilians were killed, being vaporized or burned in an instant. Surviving victims were affected physiologically and physically, with radiation sickness, starvation, cancer, and crippling mutilations. The controversy of ‘did the ends justify the means?’ still lingers today about the US' decision. The United States believed the threat of the atomic bombs and their lasting radiation effects had a chance at finally putting an end to World War II, while saving the lives of more soldiers than invading. Many have been left wondering about the morals of their choice, considering its direct …show more content…

The two successful bombs were known as Little Boy and Fat Man, which cost more than 2 billion dollars (Britannica Academic). Along with wasting resources if the bombs weren’t used, another defense of the atomic weapons was the lack of signs of Japanese surrender. Japanese culture is heavily influenced by propaganda, the idea of the samurai, and fighting until the last breath. Their kamikaze bombing attacks, or suicide missions intended to destroy naval ships, was a tactic used in the war, showing their extreme devotion to the war effort (Demy). One could also argue using the bombs would end the war in a few days, effectively saving more lives in the process. The US was suffering from many casualties in their island hopping military strategy, and the naval blockade of Japan was causing hundreds of thousands of deaths due to malnutrition, famine, and dehydration. The US already had a high amount of deaths from invading Iwo Jima and Okinawa in February and April 1945. It is under debate, but if they followed through with the proposed two stage invasion, Operation Olympic and Coronet, the US casualties could range from 125,000 to over 400,000 to the War Department's estimate of millions. While the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki had highest-end estimates of 140,000 and 74,000 victims (Tomonaga). As well as the invasions, incendiary bombs were previously dropped on Japan, but did not stop Japanese attacks. The atomic weapons with radiation effects, however, made the Japanese fearful of what long-lasting destruction could be

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