Isabella Esposito Doctor Young H6SX 4/16/12 The Atomic Bomb: A True Necessity In 1945, President Truman decided to use the atomic bomb against Japan in an attempt to end World War II. It brought an almost immediate end to the war and hypothetically saved thousands of lives. Without the atomic bombs, the Japanese leaders might have dragged the war out, refusing to surrender. Moreover, the bombings could be seen as falling in line with the concept of “total war.” The decision by the United States to drop atomic bombs on Japan was justifiable based on three factors: the desire to save American and Japanese lives, to end World War II quickly, and to demonstrate the power of the US military. Harry Truman,
Seeing as there are rules pertaining to humanity during war, was dropping the atomic bomb humanitarian? No, after dropping the bomb, 70,000 Japanese citizens were instantly vaporized and in the months and years that followed, an additional 100,000 perished from burns and radiation sickness. 4. How does Article XXII of Rules of Aerial Warfare relate to the case? The article states that aerial bombardment for the purpose of terrorizing the civilian population, of destroying or damaging private
“The Japanese had more than 2,000,000 troops in the home lands, and were training millions of irregulars” pg. 168 Readings in United States History. President Truman was determined to find a way to have Japan surrender from the war. Truman held a conference on June 18, 1945 where he would be discussing with the chiefs to take a look at different views of approaching the Japanese. After multiple ideas along with deep thought, Truman along with the chiefs decided the most efficient, least costly and less bloody approach would to be dropping the atomic bombs on the Japanese home land.
Even if Truman had decided to use the bomb, there was no reason to bomb Hiroshima. Hiroshima had limited military value and was mostly civilians, outnumbering the soldiers six to one. Over 200,000 men, women and children died because of the bomb, most of the casualties being women, children and old men. Although President Truman said the use of the atomic bomb was also used to reduce casualties on the Japanese side, if he cared so much about Japanese casualties, he could have just changed the unconditional surrender to make it easier for the Japanese to
August 6, 1945 and August 9, 1945 were days in history like no other. Only one country in history has ever used an atomic bomb against another nation; the United States of America. Code named the Manhattan Project, the atomic bombs were being developed to use against Japan towards the end of World War II. The United States was completely justified in dropping the bombs on Japan. Japan was near defeat, but many question how close Japan was to surrender (Jennings).
Devastation, destruction, terror, and straight up fear, is what people would’ve seen if they visited Nagasaki or Hiroshima after the atomic bomb was dropped on those cities. The number of scientists who were involved in the development of the atomic bomb is unbelievable. The bombs were very unique objects, whether it was the size of the bomb, or even the amount of explosives inside. The names of the atomic bombs will forever be remembered for the chaos they brought to Japan. The decision to drop the bombs was one of the most difficult things President Truman had to do during his Presidency.
Moreover, other countries claimed the right of nuclear weapons to defend their citizens. Consequently, the tragic bombings became the example of an arm’s race instead of peace. Furthermore, since Japan was already on the brink of collapse the bombing was unnecessary, and peace talks would have taken place within a decent time frame (even after the cancelled Hawaii summit). The millions of deaths calculated by Operation Downfall [the codename for the Allied plan for the invasion of Japan near the end of the Second World War, which was abandoned when Japan surrendered following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki] actually show that only desperation and honour stood between Japan and unconditional
Kelly Shaver AMH 2030 Week 7 Individual Work What factors likely motivated President Truman to authorize the use of atomic bombs against Japan in August 1945? President Truman did not trust the Soviets. The Potsdam Declaration – July 26 listed U.S. policy also giving Japan a chance to surrender without guaranteeing that Emperor Hirohito would not be tried for war crimes committed by Japan. Japan was so cautious about their response that is was seen as a refusal on their part. The Japanese were seen as bloodthirsty savages willing to die rather than give up.
Why did President Truman decide to drop the atomic bomb in August 1945? On August 6 and 9, 1945, the U.S. President Harry Truman decided to drop 2 atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki on Japan which then ending World War II. It caused a lot of casualties and disasters, killing 90,000–166,000 people in Hiroshima and 60,000–80,000 in Nagasaki. It has remained the only time atomic bombs have ever been used in warfare. The decision by the United States to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II remains one of the most controversial topics in Japanese history.
Many people will argue that the United States was justified in the dropping of the atom bomb. These people believe that dropping the atomic bomb was necessary for Japan's surrender and the end of World War II. Before the bombing, Japan refused to accept the unconditional surrender offered to them by the Potsdam Declaration, and in response to the Declaration Japan prepared every man, woman, and child to fight till death. There was no possibility that Japan would surrender. The pride of the Japanese was so great that it would not allow them to surrender and many of Japan's soldiers fought in a kamikaze style which they would go to the extreme of killing themselves in order to kill at least one enemy soldier.