American History

Haley Kimball
7-5-13
P.M.

Justice

On August 6, 1945, the United States of America dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. For decades, there have been feuds relating to the justification of the bombing. The United States was justified due to the surprise attack and bombing of Pearl Harbor which occurred three years before the bombing of Hiroshima. Therefore, it was necessary to stop the war because it saved thousands of American lives. Until then, the fight had never been on United States soil. Innocent civilians did not have to worry about being killed on their land until the infamous day: December 7, 1941, the attack of Pearl Harbor. On that day, the Japanese arrived in Pearl Harbor, killing a total of 2,403 and wounding 1178. Hitting 18 U.S ships, it crippled the U.S naval fleet in one day. Little known to the people, the bombing also destroyed 180 fighter jets used in the U.S Air Force. This was an unjustified, ruthless act and dropping the bomb on Hiroshima was justified.
The United States was justified in dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima due to the unwarned attack on civilians and docked naval ships at Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. For example, the bomb displayed the power the U.S. when they dropped it on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It showed other countries that the United States had weapons, and would use them. “At the same time, we recognize our obligation to our nation to use the weapons to help save American lives in the Japanese war.” (Doc. 6) The day after the Pearl Harbor bombing, the United States declared war on Japan, and had ultimately avenged the dead at Pearl Harbor with the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. “It is a good radar target and it is such a size that a large part of the city could be extensively damaged.” (Doc. 3) In addition to showing off the new world weaponry, the U.S hit Japan so morally and physically hard, Japan had no choice but to surrender, which won us the war. “The weapons are used not only Britain, but also Russia, France, and China be advised that we have made considerable progress in our work on atomic weapons, that these may be ready to use during the present war.” (Doc. 6) Japan was on the breaking point of surrender, but in order to make them fully give up fighting or resisting anymore, we had to use the atomic bomb. It was needed to end the war quickly and efficiently. Furthermore, without the use of nuclear weapons, the war would have continued and more lives would have been lost. The atomic bomb results were unimaginable, causing many deaths and injuries, and they should not be used unless absolutely necessary, but in this case, it was necessary to stop a war that would have continued inevitably. The United States had to use it to terminate WWII. Condonement of nuclear weapons is foolish, but if used, they can be advantageous in the right situations. Until Pearl Harbor, the war had never been taken onto U.S ground. People never had to fear being killed in horrific explosions in their own city. For example, not only was it on our ground, it was unprovoked and unwarned. It was a cowardly act not warning citizens to evacuate, knowing they would be killed if they didn’t. Hundreds of innocent women and children were killed, for a war that was not theirs. In addition to bombing the naval fleet and the Air Force base, they didn’t bother to leave women and children to evacuate. “Once the distance between ourselves and those who have not yet developed this art is eliminated, the accidents of research could give another country a temporary advantage as great as the one we now enjoy.” (Doc. 1) As a retaliation, we spent millions of dollars on a weapon of mass destruction, and used it to end the war quickly. It ended up saving more lives than if the war had continued. Furthermore, the effects of the radiation from the bomb dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were indeed gruesome and horrible, but it was payback to an equally barbaric bombing 3 years prior. Though more lives were lost in Japan, we had to stop WWII. The only way to prevent more deaths and injuries was to drop a bomb so powerful, the enemy would have no choice but to surrender. Furthermore, this unwarned attack was a cowardly act and dropping an atomic bomb was completely justified. The unwarned attack killed thousands of people, soldiers and citizens alike. Use of nuclear weapons as a retaliation to an unwarned attack is justified. It saved more lives technically then would have been lost if the war had continued. After Pearl Harbor, the United States morale was beat down. We started working on the Manhattan Project, a top secret project in which we researched and created nuclear weapons. For example, nuclear weapons contain uranium, a highly reactive substance that creates radiation. When reactions occur using uranium, it creates an enormous explosion so powerful it can melt rock. People at Hiroshima and Nagasaki had skin melting off their bodies when the bomb hit the ground. In addition, about 90,000 people died at the impact of the bomb, with about 60,000 more casualties over the next four months. A majority of the 60,000 died from radiation sickness, the others that died, died from burns and psychical injuries from the bomb. “…which fatally burned 30,000 victims during the first two weeks following its explosion.” (Doc. 8) Furthermore, the bomb was no doubt a gruesome weapon and the effects of it were quite devastating. Although the nuclear weapons were horrible, it was one of few ways to end the war efficiently and quickly. Many died, but using it would have saved more American lives than if the war had continued. The atomic bomb is a unique, powerful weapon, and should only be used in a dire situation. The bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese sparked a flame that would not die until the United States ended the ongoing, tedious World War II. “Without a military demonstration it may be impossible to impress the world with the need for national sacrifices in order to gain lasting security.” (Doc. 5) We claimed our justice by dropping 2 bombs, "Little Boy" and "Fat Man," on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The effects of the bomb were radiation sickness, a powerful explosion on impact, ultimately killing 180,000 to 200,000 people from the combined city casualties. In no way should these be used for a minor instance, only as a last resort should these horrible weapons even be considered. But the attack on Pearl Harbor took its toll, and the United States had to end the war by defeating Japan and ending WWII, by resorting to using nuclear weapons. The United States of America was justified in using these weapons of mass destruction, as retaliation, and as a method of saving more American lives.