Atomic Bomb Dbq Research Paper

“The dead from that one night’s bombing numbered 80,000 to 100,000- more than later died at Nagasaki and more than half the number who died in Hiroshima (The Atlantic Monthly July 2002: 22.).”It also turned everything to rubble as 7 to 15 square miles of Hiroshima was burnt. But the U.S had only tested the atomic bomb once and they were unknowing of the long term effects. In which they saw it as killing two birds with one stone. Which was ending the PTO war with the Japanese surrender and also putting the newly made atomic bomb to use. Though the U.S might have stopped the war, the bomb caused many casualties and destroyed a part of the Japanese cities.

Much consideration and thought had to go into this decision. World War II had been going on for four years. Many casualties on both sides occurred. Many factors led to the dropping of the bomb including Pearl Harbor, it ended the war quickly which would save more lives, and the Japanese weren’t going to stop fighting. President Truman’s decision to drop the bombs was the right thing to do because it happened for the better.

Therefore knowing how the Japanese soldiers think about surrendering, the millions of lives saved by ending the war quickly and shortly, and the countless warnings given to the Japanese, I think dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was warranted and

First of all, in the case of the Americans the bomb was compared to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Truman says in a press release, “We have used it against those who attacked without warning at Pearl Harbor, against those who have abandoned the pretense of obeying international laws of warfare” (Doc I). Second, the bombing of Pearl Harbor was an uncalled for action that was against the “laws of international warfare” and was rectified by the atomic bomb. The soldiers in Europe were extremely relieved that they would not have to invade, which would be a fatal battle where our soldiers would be shot at constantly and have bombs flying around them while they were rushing the beaches of Japan (Doc H). This bomb avoided the invasion of Japan which would have ended in an estimated 1.7 to 4 million casualties for the Allied powers (OI ladailypost.com).

Hundreds of thousands died, almost half of the population of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The effects were devastating for the slowly dying, and family and friends of the dead. In document “Effects of Atomic Attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki” it shows a burned corpse and miserable doctors. But all would agree that the American government announced the Potsdam Declaration and warned Japan that “prompt and utter destruction” would follow the refusal of surrender. The US also dropped leaflets around the city telling citizens that “So, in accordance with America's humanitarian policies, the American Air Force, which does not wish to injure innocent people, now gives you warning to evacuate the cities named and save your lives.”

Some argue that it was the single most offensive act that the United States has ever committed, but it was necessary at the time. The bomb is used to paint the United States as evil villains. Looking at Japanese treatment of our soldiers at the march if Baatan, and the nations total commitment to victory, we can see why the decision was made. Atomic bomb aside, I do not see the United States abandoning its principle of humanitarianism during the War. After the war, the United States did everything in its power to rebuild both Japan and Germany.

“On august 6, 1945, during World War II (1939-45) an American B-29 bomber dropped the world’s first deployed atomic bomb over the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Three days later, a second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki killing a total of over 120,000.” [History.com] Today, it is highly debated whether it was necessary for the US to drop the atomic bomb. I believe dropping the atomic bomb was the right decision for the United States. The reasons for this stance will be argued under the topics of self-defense and limiting total damage.

Atomic Bomb The United States of America used two atomic bombs in order to end the war with Japan during World War 2. I believe the use of the bomb was not justifiable by the USA because of the innocent lives killed. For example, the first atomic bomb dropped on Japan was codenamed “Little Boy”. Historians estimate that between 70,000 to 80,000 people were killed instantly by the bomb. The rate of number shown of total deaths show that many people were unnecessarily killed.

As a result of Japan bombing Pearl Harbor, and the United States suffering the lives of nearly 1200 crewmen, afterward not responding to the attack immediately, we were bound to return soon enough recharged and ready for war. Merely 4 years later, the summer of 1945 as the conjuring of the bomb began, The United States finalized their combative weapon to defeat Japan entirely. This weapon became the most powerful yet, an atomic bomb that no country has ever anticipated. The atomic bombs “Little boy, and Fat man” destroyed, “wreckage of the city, in gutters, along the river banks, tangling tiles and tin roofing, charred trees”, without any doubt, “instantly, 70,000 Japanese citizens were

Japan was weakening, “The food situation gradually becoming worse and worse…” Stated in source H. America had many industrial resources to use against Japan and so Japan had essentially been defeated. Japan pushed only for the sake of their countries honour as the shame of unconditional surrender goes against their code of honour. Furthermore a warning was given to Japan with America promising to drop the atomic bomb, however there was no evidence and so it could have easily been deemed a bluff. An American nuclear scientist stated, “A demonstration of the bomb best be made… Japan could then be asked to surrender.” This source seems somewhat reliable as it is from one of the American scientists and they would know the strength of the bomb.

World War II introduced the most dangerous weapon in the world, the atomic bomb. When the US used it on Japan we went to far and caused unnecessary damage to the people. Many people believe this to the only truth but, the real truth is that dropping the atomic bomb was a necessary evil we had to use in order to win the war in World War II and future wars to come. It save many american soldiers lives, stopped the Soviets from joining, and helped us win against Japan. First and foremost, World War II caused many casualties for both sides of the war.

In fact, Ralph A. Bard, Undersecretary of the Navy wrote to Secretary of War Stimson in a June 27, 1945 memorandum. “I define this decision as an emotional and reckless decision, Japanese government may be searching for some opportunity which they could use as a medium of surrender” (Bard). In fact, the Japanese government expressed desire to end the war, and would have accepted conditional surrender before the mainland invasion in November. The reason for dropping the bomb was forcing Japan to surrender unconditionally. In America’s opinion, Japan had lost the war; they did not have any capital to negotiate with.

Afterwards, the United States declared war on Japan, and joined allies against the axis powers. The United States’ use of the atomic bombs is justified because it saved American lives; Japan was given fair warning, and their aggressions towards the U.S. The atomic bombs on Japan saved many American lives. Document 15 reads: The entire population of Japan is

President Truman was treating people even worst by putting them through the torture of the bomb and the resulting effects of the bomb. Time became a major factor into the decision, and dropping the bomb was a result of that fear. On the other side of the argument, the Japanese did bomb Pearl Harbor which was the catalyst that got America involved in the first place. We as a country should not need to compromise with the nation who started the battle.

I think the United States should have not dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki because the atomic bombs was too expensive and it was not really worth it, they wiped out two entire cities, and Japan was planning on surrendering. The atomic bomb they used on Nagasaki cost 2 billion