Essay On Dropping The Atomic Bomb

During the late nineteen-thirties war had come to multiple countries, causing the Second World War. Numerous people lost their lives, friends, and even family members, which contributed to many Americans feeling unguilted about the atomic bomb. When the United States made the decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan, there were mixed feelings over the morality of using it to end our war, but an overall sense of relief to bring the war to an end after such exhausting years.
In nineteen thirty-nine, Germany orchestrated an attack on Poland. The attack, conducted by Adolf Hitler, would be the beginnings of the Second World War in Europe. As promised, Great Britain and France declared war on Germany for their attack on Poland. Germany fell under
the rule of a power-hungry man named Adolf Hitler when he became Chancellor in nineteen thirty-three. Hitler immediately began working on his plans to rule the nations, which would include more attacks on other countries. Hitler would take part in many unspeakable actions throughout his years as chancellor, such as the building of concentration camps for the Jewish race. Leading up to the war, the United States was recovering from the Great Depression and wanted to avoid getting involved in a war that was not their own. Though many countries were already at war with Germany, the United States still felt as though there was no obligation for their participation. The United States would remain idle from the beginning in nineteen thirty-nine throughout much of nineteen forty-one. In nineteen forty-one, the United States were prompted to join the war when, without warning, Japan attacked and bombed an American military base at Pearl Harbor. Franklin D. Roosevelt would declare war on Japan following the attack. The United States would take part in the war for four more years, during which Franklin D. Roosevelt would pass away and Harry S. Truman would take office.
Harry S.
Truman swore in as president in the final months of the war during nineteen forty-five. The United States had been at war with Japan for four years. The idea of the atomic bomb was presented to Truman only moments after he took office on April 12, 1945. Truman was only given a few details about the bomb from Secretary of War, Henry Stimson, but he denied the use of it for the time being. It was the next day when Truman learned all the details about what the secretary of war was calling the “Manhattan project.” Dropping the atomic bomb would not be a decision that Harry Truman would take lightly. In an article written by Henry Stimson titled The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb, Henry states that “it was in the fall of 1941 that the question of atomic energy, was first brought directly to my attention.” In contrast with his decision to disregard the bomb for the moment, Truman allowed the department of war to continue their work on improvements and research over the atomic bomb. Meanwhile, the United States continued the war against Japan. The decision to use, or not use, the atomic bomb would take President Truman longer than a day to
consider. The war looked to be coming to an end in other nations fighting against Germany, but for the United States, Japan seemed reluctant to bring the war to a close and surrender. In April, Henry Stimson would reintroduce the use of the atomic bomb, and assure President Truman that the use of the bomb could shorten the war. Although, it is stated that “no final decision was made in regard to the bomb, Truman knew it was a viable option and continued to gather information.” After four years at war, Americans were becoming undoubtedly weary. American lives circled around what was happening in the war, everyone hopeful that their family members, friends, or spouses would be returning home, soon. Many American lives were lost in the second world war, and President Truman searched for a way to end the war with the least number of casualties among our military. It is stated that “an Allied demand for an immediate unconditional surrender was made to the leadership in Japan. Although, the demand stated that refusal would result in total destruction, no mention of any new weapons of mass destruction was made.” Japan refused still, but seemed to provide a possibility for surrender. Though there was a possible surrender on the way, President Truman finally made the order “on August 6, the first atomic bomb, nicknamed Little Boy, was dropped on the city of Hiroshima.” The decision to drop the bomb on Hiroshima was one of the most difficult decisions for President Truman to make, but after deep consideration, he knew that this would be the fastest way to end the war with the least American casualties. After dropping the first atomic bomb, it is noted that “70,000 Japanese citizens were vaporized. In the months and years that followed, an additional 100,000 perished from burns and radiation sickness…On August 9, a second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, where 80,000 Japanese people perished.” After the second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, on August 14, 1945 Japan was forced to surrender.
In conclusion, the United States’ government felt a great amount of relief after the use of the atomic bomb, but ultimately had a difference in feelings about the morality of its use.
The loss of numerous Americans aided in the acceptance of its use to end our war once and for
all.