Preview

Was The Atomic Bomb Justified Essay

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
717 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Was The Atomic Bomb Justified Essay
Was the U.S justified in their Decision to Drop the Atomic Bomb? Before WWII, the United States strongly supported the idea of Isolationism, meaning they did not want to be involved in wars. As the time passed the United States found them turning away from neutrality by providing armed weapons to other nations. When other countries could not afford to buy products, the U.S could not afford to lose business, so they came up with a Lend-Lease Act and Cash and Carry. Both selling and lending items such as weapons to other states, (Great Britain& France). Japan was one of the nations until the United States cut them off. Due to that, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor killing 2,403 Americans and injuring 1,178 and the U.S officially entered WWII. Since the Pearl Harbor attack, the United States sought revenge. Though, Germans were the first to claim they had a bomb before WWII was over. When the United States did not know what to do with the half-finished bomb their scientists accomplished they then realized they could drop it on Japan for attacking Pearl Harbor. …show more content…
“We are in possession of the most destructive explosive ever devised by man” stated Leaflet B dropped on August 6th, 1945. Since the United States knew how destructive the bomb was, they should have not used it in the first place. Not only was japan in danger but Leo Szilard and 69 co-signers at the Manhattan Project stated “ the cities of the United States as well as the cities of other nations will be in continuous danger of sudden annihilation.” Most people working on the project for two and a half years did not even know what they were working on or hiding from the American public. Though, Japan killed and injured many Americans, the U.S. killed more people and left Japan with high levels of radiation for many years after the bomb was dropped. In conclusion, the United States was not in any way justified for the decision of dropping the atomic

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    In the article, Ending The War Against Japan: Science, Morality And The Atomic Bomb, the author provides information on the war in the Pacific which involved the United States and Japan. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor the United States entered the second World War in 1941. United States gained control of Okinawa in 1945 which meant that the U.S had control, in the months of May through August there were major air attacks on Japan, the Manhattan Project and the two atomic bombs the United States dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki were part of the choice out of the many options that might have been given to President Truman and Secretary of War, Henry Stimson. They felt that dropping the atomic bomb was the best way to get the Japanese to give an unconditional surrender.…

    • 629 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    DBQ Atomic Bomb

    • 639 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In August of 1945, the United States launched two atomic bombs on Japan; the first, in Hiroshima on August 6, and the second in Nagasaki a few days later. Despite the obvious diplomatic advantage to implementing one of the most intimidating weapons of that time, the United States’ tactics and goals behind dropping the atomic bombs were purely military oriented; the political benefit was merely an added bonus. The atomic bomb was necessary due to the Japanese’s refusal to surrender and the hundreds of thousands of lives at stake.…

    • 639 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Harry Truman’s decision to drop the atomic bomb was a good decision. If he had not decided to drop the atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the war would have continued and more Americans, as well as Japanese, would have continued to die. Since the Japanese were using ruthless methods of war like kamikazes or killing themselves rather than be captured, it was hard to tell how far Japan was willing to go in order to win the war. Thus, Truman’s decision to bomb Japan is justifiable by the cause of not knowing to what extents Japan was willing to go. I believe Truman wanted to show the Japanese that the United States was willing to do anything to win the…

    • 125 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The atomic bomb shouldn’t have been used in World War 2 to defeat Japan. America could have used other alternatives then the deadly atomic bomb. President Truman should of waited a few more weeks for russia to declare war on Japan. The thought of invasion by both of America and Russia probably had an even more scared effect on the Japanese government then the Atomic Bombs. America could of also continue the conventional bombings and blockade.…

    • 141 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    In WW2, the bomb wasn't the smartest thing America did. As they hurt many innocent Japanese people in the process. If President Harry Truman and the military thought out there plan to end the war. They could've ended it much more peacefully. If America were really wanted to drop the bomb, they should've dropped it on Germany, as they were the next threat during the…

    • 457 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    President Truman knew this when he made the decision to release the bombs. It also proved to work as it made Japan surrender way quicker than it probably would have, without the influence of the bomb. Finally, the Japanese were given a warning prior to the bombing. They were taking over islands and blowing up U.S. naval bases and the U.S. exploded by issuing an ultimatum to the Emperor. And the Emperor blew it off, which caused the U.S. to act upon their warning to blow them up.…

    • 562 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Were the Americans justified in dropping the atom bomb on Hiroshima in August 1945? The United States of American became the first and only nation to use atomic weaponry in warfare, when they dropped the first of two atomic bombs 2000 feet over the city of Hiroshima in japan on August 6th 1945, killing 80000 civilians and militants instantly and eventually leading to the total destruction of up to 90 per cent of the city. This bomb along with a second bomb led to the surrender of japan just days after, ending the Second World War. The reasons behind the bombing causing the surrender of japan and the ethical issues still are widely controversial to this day.…

    • 1515 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    When WWII first began in 1939, the United States was hesitant to get involved. During this time, many Americans were Isolationists, believing the United States should refrain from intervening with international conflicts. Isolationism led to the passing of the Neutrality Acts, which outlawed the sale or loan of arms to nations at war. However, when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, it was clear the American Isolationist debate was over. Not long after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States was at war with the Axis Powers, made up of Germany, Italy, and Japan. To contribute to the war effort, Americans changed their lives economically, politically, and socially.…

    • 545 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    "The use of this barbarous weapon at Hiroshima and Nagasaki was of no material assistance in our war against Japan. The Japanese were already defeated and ready to surrender..." Admiral William D. Leahy (Alperovitz,The Decision To Use The Atomic Bomb, date of publication unknown) There have been many issues involved with the use of the atomic bomb because of the high cost of lives, and that it was considered to be immoral and unethical. However it has also been considered necessary for the war to have ended, avoiding further casualties on both sides.…

    • 1787 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    At the start of 1942, the Manhattan Project, which was codename for the creation of the atomic bomb, began. The project was to create a high functioning bomb which caused mass destruction. As WWII came to a close, with Japan and the United States the only remaining countries in combat, neither showed signs of surrendering. Something had to be done to end the war, so the United States dropped the atomic bomb. It was justifiable to drop the bomb because neither country showed signs of surrendering and the war would have to come to an end eventually.…

    • 356 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    On August 6, 1945 the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, killing thousands of innocent people! The United States did it to force Japan to surrender and end World War II. To this present day it still and will remain a controversy whether or not the US was in the right or wrong of bombing Hiroshima. I argue that the US shouldn’t have attacked Hiroshima the way they did.…

    • 608 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    6 august, 1945 America had attacked Hiroshima, Japan with nuclear bomb named little boy. Nuclear bomb has taken around 10000 lives in the provenience of explosion. Three days later again an attack had occurred with the same type of the bomb named fat man in Nagasaki. The intensity of the bomb was 12500 TNT and it had caused around 4000 degree Celsius. It was enough to vaporize the flesh and bones of humans. It was a nightmare for the people of Japan.…

    • 788 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    One of the most controversial issues of World War II is the debate on whether or not the United States should have used an atomic bomb against the Japanese. People who tend to oppose the use of the atomic bomb tend to ignore, or are ignorant, of the history of Japan during World War II. One factor to consider is the treatment of prisoners of war and civilians in countries that Japan had conquered. Another aspect was the “never surrender” mentality of the Japanese military in the territories they controlled during World War II. The final point is the estimated number of casualties for both sides. Due to these factors, the U.S. should have dropped the bomb on Japan to save lives on both sides.…

    • 1933 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    American Isolationism

    • 766 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The Axis power was on the rise and many nations wondered who would stand against them. With america unconcerned and uncaring, the Nazi power was free to do what it pleased. In December of 1941, the Axis powers made a grave mistake. The Japanese decided to poke the sleeping giant, that is, America. The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor as a sneak attack against one of our strategic bases in Hawaii. Much like an alarm clock's loud noises wake a sleeper, the Japanese bombs woke America. Americans were infuriated and a majority of them called for war in response to the Japanese boldly stupid acts. America responded ferociously, finally ending the reign of isolationism. In the end, Japan got what was coming to them, the first ever atomic bomb strike. Oh, and then another one, to make sure the Japanese know who the boss is.…

    • 766 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    American History

    • 1154 Words
    • 5 Pages

    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.…

    • 1154 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays