Why the Us Should Have Dropped the Atomic Bombs on Japan
Should the USA have used the atomic bomb on Japan in 1945?
1945 began as a year of increasing tensions between countries as the war extended onto its sixth year. Military groups of the various countries involved were now beginning to seriously consider the conclusion of the war in terms of how the global ceasefire would be carried out and frankly, who would win. After the defeat of the Axis Powers in Europe, the focus had been turned towards the war in Asia and the Pacific Regions in which the Allied Forces of Great Britain, Australia and the USA were in conflict with the Axis power of Japan and her partners. Following the urge to end the war, the ‘Big Three’ made up of the three leaders of the major Allied Forces; Churchill, Stalin and Truman met for what is known as the Potsdam Conference to discuss ‘post-war world’ and as a result, the Potsdam Declaration was written giving the Japanese an opportunity to surrender or face “prompt and utter destruction”. Despite this opportunity, the Japanese chose to ignore the warning, thus, the US decided to administer the use of their newly developed nuclear weapons and drop the atomic bombs on Japan with both hope and belief that the Japanese would be forced to surrender and thus, ending the war on American terms. At the time, there was massive speculation surrounding the attack. However, the USA had entirely justifiable reasons behind the attack; therefore, they should have dropped the bombs on Japan. Firstly, Japan had been given the opportunity to surrender on peaceful terms but refused due to military being in control of the nation. Secondly, the only alternative was an invasion on Japan; however this action would not end lightly with predictions of huge casualties on the Americans’ part. Furthermore, the Japanese surrendered within a week of the dropping of the bombs proving the effectiveness of the USA’s actions.
Japan, being a fiercely proud nation, refused to surrender when offered on peaceful terms. Under the
1945 began as a year of increasing tensions between countries as the war extended onto its sixth year. Military groups of the various countries involved were now beginning to seriously consider the conclusion of the war in terms of how the global ceasefire would be carried out and frankly, who would win. After the defeat of the Axis Powers in Europe, the focus had been turned towards the war in Asia and the Pacific Regions in which the Allied Forces of Great Britain, Australia and the USA were in conflict with the Axis power of Japan and her partners. Following the urge to end the war, the ‘Big Three’ made up of the three leaders of the major Allied Forces; Churchill, Stalin and Truman met for what is known as the Potsdam Conference to discuss ‘post-war world’ and as a result, the Potsdam Declaration was written giving the Japanese an opportunity to surrender or face “prompt and utter destruction”. Despite this opportunity, the Japanese chose to ignore the warning, thus, the US decided to administer the use of their newly developed nuclear weapons and drop the atomic bombs on Japan with both hope and belief that the Japanese would be forced to surrender and thus, ending the war on American terms. At the time, there was massive speculation surrounding the attack. However, the USA had entirely justifiable reasons behind the attack; therefore, they should have dropped the bombs on Japan. Firstly, Japan had been given the opportunity to surrender on peaceful terms but refused due to military being in control of the nation. Secondly, the only alternative was an invasion on Japan; however this action would not end lightly with predictions of huge casualties on the Americans’ part. Furthermore, the Japanese surrendered within a week of the dropping of the bombs proving the effectiveness of the USA’s actions.
Japan, being a fiercely proud nation, refused to surrender when offered on peaceful terms. Under the
Bibliography: Michael J. Hogan (ed.) (1996), Hiroshima in History and Memory, Cambridge University Press. Martin J. Sherwin (1975), A World Destroyed, Knopf. Giovanetti, L and Freed, F (1967), The Decision to Drop the Bomb, Mathuen. Alperovitz, G (1994), Atomic Diplomacy: Hiroshima and Potsdam, Pluto Press. Internet: Long, D (unknown date of creation), Hiroshima: Who disagreed with the Atomic Bombing? (online), retrieved August 31, 2012 from http://www.doug-long.com/quotes.htm