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Why Japan Dropped The Atomic Bomb?

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In 1945, World War Two, a six year conflict, ended in the adoption of firebombing tactics, and ultimately the dropping of two atomic bombs. These two bombs dropped on the Japanese cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima devastated thousands, killing and wounding 75,000 and 150,000 people respectively. At the time this decision was one supported by many because after years of fighting they believed it would save more American lives, and prevent the need for more face to face combat between the Allied Powers and the Axis powers, which at this point only consisted of Japan. However, years after the end of World War Two many historians have analyzed the motives behind this decision. Many believe the traditional orthodox argument that dropping these …show more content…

Two main Japanese historians have debated this issue. Sadao Asada firmly believes the bombs were the main factor that caused the Japanese to surrender, however, Tsuyoshi Hasegawa disagrees believing Soviet invasion persuaded the Japanese to surrender. These arguments differ in how the historians interpret the impact of the atomic bombs, the politics behind surrender and the Soviet’s readiness to make peace following the Potsdam Conference. Following the conference both Asada and Hasegawa agree that Japan would not surrender due to the fact that they wanted their emperor to retain his imperial position. The schism occurs when we discuss what this belief meant. For Asada, this means the Japanese were willing to fight until they were either victorious or defeated, however, for Hasegawa this means Japan would attempt seeking Soviet assistance in mediation. Hasegawa states in The Atomic Bombs and the Soviet Invasion: What Drove Japan’s Decision to Surrender? “Japan relied on Soviet neutrality both militarily and diplomatically, Japan pinned its last hope on Moscow’s mediation for the termination of the war. Only by Soviet entry into the war was Japan forced to make a decision on the Postdam terms. Militarily as well,

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This paper focuses on the failure of diplomatic decisions made by Japan that is national in nature most particularly when they chose to fight in the midst of an embargo made by the American government. The attack of Japan against Pearl Harbor is a result of an erratic, egoistic and irrational behavior blinding the Japanese Military Personnel and Officials of the destructive outcome of the World War 2 and a lack of diplomatic strategies that misled the communication between USA and

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Name: Course Instructor: Class: Date: Critical Book Review: Prompt and Utter Destruction Introduction Within weeks, word on the US dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki began to spread that the main reason behind the bombs was to save the lives of Americans (Bernard). It was put that hundreds of thousands of American military causalities were saved through the bombings.

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As the Japanese forces were considered the aggressors of the conflict by the Allies and Japanese veterans alike, the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was justified. Their aggression previous to the bombing was demonstrated through the attack on Pearl Harbour, which led to America’s involvement in World War II. The attack was not one born out of vengeance and was not strategically logical, whereas there was a reason behind the bombing of Hiroshima, that reason being that the Japanese military would not agree to the clauses presented in the Potsdam Declaration. This declaration was given to the military officials as an invitation to surrender before the first bombing, providing ample time for them to make a decision to hopefully end the

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This document conveys that the Japanese wouldn’t back down after multiple warnings, instead they were getting stronger, and therefore the atomic bombs were justified because they were given fair warnings that they did not take it

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did not always know it all. The solution to war lay under the noses of former Japanese leaders. The United States was unaware of Japan's plan to eventually surrender, proving they did not plan to fight to the end but planned to keep up the illusion. Unfortunately, after the invasion seemed to have no effect, the U.S. strayed from typical warfare and brought out its deadliest weapon. After two nuclear attacks, Japan was not in any shape to go against both the Soviets and Americans and was forced to surrender earlier than planned.

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Japan was weakening, “The food situation gradually becoming worse and worse…” Stated in source H. America had many industrial resources to use against Japan and so Japan had essentially been defeated. Japan pushed only for the sake of their countries honour as the shame of unconditional surrender goes against their code of honour. Furthermore a warning was given to Japan with America promising to drop the atomic bomb, however there was no evidence and so it could have easily been deemed a bluff. An American nuclear scientist stated, “A demonstration of the bomb best be made… Japan could then be asked to surrender.” This source seems somewhat reliable as it is from one of the American scientists and they would know the strength of the bomb.

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New to the presidential office, Truman was presented with the decision of whether to drop the atomic bomb, a choice that today is viewed as controversial, but which at the time was well-received by an American population tired of war. The unexpected death of beloved president FDR placed a difficult burden on Truman to fulfill the expectations of the public when he was inadequately prepared or informed. Thus, he refrained from interrupting the existing plans put into place by the predecessor he admired so greatly, and allowed the momentum of the atomic bomb to continue. Additionally, the amount of resources devoted by the American and British governments to the development of the atomic bomb made Truman reluctant to halt the operation at its

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Even though dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki killed thousands of Japanese citizens in a matter of seconds, it was still justified. On December 7, 1941, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, a naval base on one of the Hawaiian Islands, thus plunging the US into the biggest war the world had ever seen. President Harry S. Truman decided to use the atomic bombs to save American lives by not invading Japan. American soldiers were able to return to their wives and children since they did not have to fight in the war any longer. The war ended just six days after the bombs were dropped.

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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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They feared unconditional defeat because in Japanese society it was a disgrace to surrender. Hearing this, the U.S. responded with dropping a second bomb on Nagasaki, killing even more people. Emperor Hirohito made the decision to surrender ultimately saving his country

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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).

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Opponents presented numerous arguments against the utilization of atomic bombs. Critics argued that the use of the atomic bombs was unnecessary due to the fact that the Japanese began seeking surrender terms in April 1945. The Allies were demanding terms of unconditional surrender, which concerned that Japanese. The Japanese were ready to surrender and their only reservation was the preservation of their imperial system. The Japanese sought assurances that their emperor would not be tried as a war criminal.

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World War II introduced the most dangerous weapon in the world, the atomic bomb. When the US used it on Japan we went to far and caused unnecessary damage to the people. Many people believe this to the only truth but, the real truth is that dropping the atomic bomb was a necessary evil we had to use in order to win the war in World War II and future wars to come. It save many american soldiers lives, stopped the Soviets from joining, and helped us win against Japan. First and foremost, World War II caused many casualties for both sides of the war.

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However what these sceptics don 't realize is that the use of the atomic bomb not only helped end the war, but facilitated the dominance of the United States that the Japanese finally gave in to. In the section titled, NOTES OF THE INTERIM

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We shall brook no delay.” The Japanese had viewed their emperor to be a God, and any agreement for surrender would have to ensure the safety of the emperor, otherwise the Japanese would not agree to it. They had chose willingly to brush off Japan 's offer of a surrender and chose to irreparably scar Japanese citizens with the atomic bomb, a decision I cannot endorse nor

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