Do You Think That Americans Problematic Racial History Affected the Decision to Drop the Bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
Elicia Esquivel
January 23, 2013
History
Journal 3
Do you think that Americans problematic racial history affected the decision to drop the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki? I do believe that the racial history had an influence in the decision to drop the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki; I think this because America had built up tensions and anger. Their way to release these tensions was to drop the bombs and in their minds at that moment they truly believed that it was the correct response and reasonable thing to do. They in my opinion should have restricted the bombing to the opposing soldiers and not killed civilians. The retaliation mentality that they had created the illusion that killing thousands upon thousands of people would equalize what had happened on Pearl Harbor and is a reasonable response. There were fatalities of both parties that should never have happened. The phrase “two wrongs don’t make a right” is true for this situation. Can we really rationalize the murders of all the people in world war two? Everyone’s lives that were lost from both sides didn't have to die. I understand that they had to make an example to create fear in the Japanese but why did they kill innocent civilians. Surely they did not think that every single one of those people were responsible for the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Creating the fear in them was essential to prevent any further bombings such as Pearl Harbor, but it also in my opinion wasn't enough to kill all of those people. When it comes down to everything I believe that it wasn't acceptable to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki because the American people were so caught up in the racist hatred that erupted after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The Japanese people were all stereotyped into being these horrible people that had to be taught a lesson. I believe that the reason for bombing Hiroshima was because Americas military wanted to try out their weapons and since they already had the support due to the
January 23, 2013
History
Journal 3
Do you think that Americans problematic racial history affected the decision to drop the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki? I do believe that the racial history had an influence in the decision to drop the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki; I think this because America had built up tensions and anger. Their way to release these tensions was to drop the bombs and in their minds at that moment they truly believed that it was the correct response and reasonable thing to do. They in my opinion should have restricted the bombing to the opposing soldiers and not killed civilians. The retaliation mentality that they had created the illusion that killing thousands upon thousands of people would equalize what had happened on Pearl Harbor and is a reasonable response. There were fatalities of both parties that should never have happened. The phrase “two wrongs don’t make a right” is true for this situation. Can we really rationalize the murders of all the people in world war two? Everyone’s lives that were lost from both sides didn't have to die. I understand that they had to make an example to create fear in the Japanese but why did they kill innocent civilians. Surely they did not think that every single one of those people were responsible for the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Creating the fear in them was essential to prevent any further bombings such as Pearl Harbor, but it also in my opinion wasn't enough to kill all of those people. When it comes down to everything I believe that it wasn't acceptable to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki because the American people were so caught up in the racist hatred that erupted after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The Japanese people were all stereotyped into being these horrible people that had to be taught a lesson. I believe that the reason for bombing Hiroshima was because Americas military wanted to try out their weapons and since they already had the support due to the