Atomic Bomb Persuasive Essay

The creation of the atomic bomb in 1945 marked the beginning of a new era. As Japan was surrounded by U.S. forces, the U.S. issued the Potsdam Declaration, defining terms for Japanese surrender. However, Japan did not surrender. Thus, U.S. dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, killing many civilians. Three days later, the second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, ultimately leading to a Japanese surrender, essentially ending World War II. After the end of the war, soon came the Cold War between two former allies, the Soviet Union and the U.S.. During the time Japan was being bomb, Russia was taking over Europe and spreading their ideology, communism. Due to the massive communist influence manifesting in the form of revolutions, the U.S., being a capitalist society, announced the Truman Doctrine in 1947, a U.S. foreign policy created to aid nations under the threat of Soviet expansionism. The events, lead by Soviet expansionism, preceding the end of World War II has led many to believe that the decision to drop the bombs was meant to intimidate Russia. The United States’ decision to drop the the atomic bomb was a strict military measure to force Japan’s unconditional surrender. In Japanese culture, fighting for their country was

Nevertheless, the purpose of dropping the bombs was to force Japan to surrender while keeping American lives safe, not to intimidate Soviets. This is displayed in the examples of Japanese people almost never surrendering, always fighting to the end, no matter the circumstances. Essentially, Japan would continue fighting due to the fact that dying in battle, in their culture at the time, was a great honor, thus costing many American lives. Adding on, the President’s job was to keep as many American lives as possible, through the use of every weapon at his disposal. Thus, dropping the bombs caused Japan to surrender, ending the war, while keeping American soldiers