Atomic Bomb Was It Necessary Essay

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Atomic Bomb

Were the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki necessary to save allied lives and to end Japan’s threat to world peace? Did the resulting loss of life cost more than a deadly invasion of the Japanese mainland? In August 1945, the first dropping of atomic bombs in civilian areas of Japan killed hundreds of thousands of innocent people. Immediately following those bombings, Japan surrendered to the United States. The following essay summarizes the defense of the atomic bomb and its use, the arguments against the use of atomic weapons, and includes my personal opinion on the subject.

As the war with Germany grew closer to the end, the United States had their hands full with an increasingly effective war with Japan. The defeat of Japan became more apparent to many allied and Japanese leaders after the fall of the Mariana Islands and Saipan in July of 1944. The Mariana Islands had been a key defense point for Japan, but after they were captured, Japan was in range of bombing. From November 1944 to the dropping of the atomic bomb, Japan was subjected to numerous B-29 bomb raids using conventional bombs. General Curtis LeMay predicted the war to end in September or October of 1945 because the United States would have run out of industrial targets to destroy. While Japan was being severely bombed, there was also a naval blockade to stop Japan’s ability to import such necessities as oil and vital materials. This would have interfered with Japans’ ability to make war items and repair essential services. Admiral William Leahy wrote to President Truman, “By the beginning of September, 1944, Japan will almost be completely defeated through a practically complete sea and air blockade.” Also, in May of 1945 the surrender of Germany freed the allies to focus their troops and resources to defeat Japan.

In July 1945 a message from the allies known as the “Potsdam Proclamation” was broadcast in Japan. The proclamation demanded “the unconditional surrender of all the Japanese armed forces.” There was no mention of the of the Emperor’s position, which was crucial because the Japanese believed their Emperor to be a God and the heart of Japanese culture. Because there was no assurance of the Emperor’s fate the Japanese objected to the “Potsdam Proclamation.”

The positive argument for the use of the atomic bomb was “a speedy end to the Second World War, and perhaps to much else besides.” This is a quote from the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. “The atomic bomb could solve all of our problems in an instant, disregarding the need for a mass invasion of coastal Japan.” In his mind, the ending of the World War was more important than losing a few thousand Japanese lives as opposed to American or British lives. As Churchill says, “The end of the Japanese war depended upon the pouring in of their...

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