The Real Reasons for using the Bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Atomic bombings against Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan occurred in 1945 during the final stages of World War II. The bombings were blamed on the Allies of World War II who on a retaliatory mission. Many individuals in Japan lost their lives because of the atomic bombings that had never been witnessed before in any part of the world. The bombings occurred after Japan had refused to honor an ultimatum issued to her by the United States of America. In its ultimatum statement, the US promised immense destruction on Japan in case of the failure to honor the ultimatum. After the bombings, Japan was forced to surrender to the Allies because of the large losses of both life and property that had occurred. This led to the signing of the Instrument of Surrender on 2 September in 1945. This marked the official ending of the World War II hence restoring peace in the entire world.
Thus, it will be the intent of this paper to prove that war momentum, American revenge, and the need to control the Soviets were indeed the true reasons for using the bomb that would annihilate tens of thousands of people with a single command. On the other hand, historians argue that the bomb was used to save American lives by ending the war sooner.
Proponents of the attacks assert that the atomic bomb was used to validate the millions of dollars that were used to create this technology. The atomic bomb was produced through the Manhattan Project that was carried out by the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The project involved employment of a large number of individuals to assist in its implementation. In addition, the project was costly in terms of revenue expenditure hence leading to the dedication of enormous amounts of resources to the entire projects. Proponents assert that the, “Manhattan project employed more than 130,000 people and its cost was to the tune of US$2 billion (The Manhattan Engineer District 10).” This indicates the costly nature of the entire project and the need to utilize the atomic bomb. Furthermore, supporters of the war point out that, “the making of the atomic bombs involved the use of Uranium which is extremely expensive (Bodden, p 57).” The huge expenditure on Uranium justifies the need for the use of the atomic bomb in the war. The United States had incurred large amounts of revenue on the Uranium that was used to make the atomic bombs. Furthermore, it is asserted that, “the entire project involved extensive research and development in more than 30 cites (Century of Flight, 1).” This indicates the excess levels of expenses used in the making of the bombs hence the need to utilize it. The United States also feared the political repercussions that could occur in case the atomic bomb was not utilized in the war. The United States of America wanted to prove its might by declaring war on Japan. It did not want to be declared as a weaker in the war that had already picked the momentum with other countries like the USSR. The United States also got the opportunity to take advantage of the war at this instance. This necessitated the declaration of the atomic bombing on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The atomic bomb was used as a revenge for the attack on the Pearl Harbor and the atrocities that Japan committed against Allied soldiers in POW camps. Proponents assert that, “the attack by the Imperial Japanese on the Pearl Harbor was a surprise attack against the United States naval base based at Hawaii (The Manhattan Engineer District, p 14).” They point out that this necessitated the need for the United States of America for the attacks that had led to immense losses of lives. The attacks led to the destruction of the United States battleships, which contributed to enormous losses of property. During the attack on the Pearl Harbor, Japan incurred minimal losses as the United States counted large amounts of losses in terms of aircrafts, war ships, and lives. This was irritating to the United States of America and justifiable reason to launch a revenge attack that would silence Japan. Moreover, proponents point out that, “the attacks came as a shock to the United States of America hence forcing her to join World War II and revenge against Japan (Bodden, 55).” This was the only opportunity that the United States could use to gain support for the revenge. It must be noted that Japan also committed atrocities against humanity in the hell camps set up in Taiwan. The POW working on the Death Railway was full of hardships and immense suffering; thus, justifying the need for the attacks. Proponents assert that, “many people understand the nature of the Japanese; they are blood and can kill quite a large number of people with the use of suicide bombers (Manhatt The Manhattan Engineer District, p 44).” All these are essential reasons for the attacks in Japan by the United States of America.
The atomic bomb was used to coerce and restrain the Soviets. The US wanted to show its power over the USSR, and it did not want to owe anything to a nation that it considered a possible enemy. The United did not trust the USSR hence the need to use the atomic bomb that would provide maximum threat to its key enemy. Proponents point out that, “the USSR was one of the key enemies of the United States during World War II and the US was determine to show its might by attacking Japan (Manhatt The Manhattan Engineer District 78).” This proves the urgent need to employ the use of atomic bombs in Japan. The United States did not want the USSR to enter the war, because the USSR would be granted territorial concessions as promised to by Roosevelt. This was only to take effect in case the war was won with its help. The United States was determined to coerce the Soviets not to interfere with its attacks in Japan. It is asserted that, “the attacks had to go on without the interference of any particular force (Bodden, p 90).” The United States was aimed at showing it might over all the countries that were taking part in World War II. It wanted to ensure that its past enemies learnt a lesson from the atrocities that had been committed to its citizens. The United States wanted to fulfill its ambitions of destroying Japan by hitting its key industrial bases. This would ensure that it also gets a fair share and retaliation for the past attacks that had been committed by Japan. Supporters of the attacks point out that the, “the United States had issue an ultimatum to completely destroy Japan.” This was irreversible, and the United States had to fulfill its mission.
On the other hand, opponents assert that the use of the atomic bomb was an excuse for an action to save the lives of Americans. Opponents are of the view that the attacks were malicious, and the United States had no excuse asserting that it was meant to protect its citizens. They assert that, “the United States could have still won the war using other conventional methods instead of the atomic bombs (Bodden, p 101).” This is a purely malicious act that was not meant to protect the citizens of the United States but to maliciously destroy the civilians of Japan. The United States does not have an excuse to use the atomic bomb. Opponents point out that the United States did not have to feign the attacks on protecting the lives of its people since its citizens were adequately safe. Japan was weak, and the atomic bomb attack was an excessive form of attack. The United States had other means to use to settle its scores with Japan instead of using credible means of fighting innocent civilians. Opponents point out that, “the United States did not engage in the attacks with the interests of its people at heart (Century of Flight, 67).” This means that the United States attacked Japan because of its own interests to retaliate. In fact, it was principally aimed at the strategic towns in Japan, which would ensure that the economy was destroyed. It is asserted that, “the United States wanted as few casualties as possible in the war (Century of Flight, p 17).” According to opponents, this was not a true statement to support the attacks.
In conclusion, the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bomb attacks occurred in 1945 towards the end of World War II. The United States was determined to retaliate against Japan by destroying its strategic cities, which offered strong economic hubs. The atomic bomb attack led to large losses of lives in Japan. This forced Japan to surrender on 2 September 1945 ending the 2nd World War. This led to the signing of the Instrument of Surrender on 2 September in 1945. The attacks led to a heated debate on whether the United States was justified in its attacks or not. Those in support for the attacks assert that the United States used the bomb in order to validate the millions of dollars that had been used in its manufacture. There was a lot of labor and funds involved in the manufacture of the atomic bomb, and the United States had to use the bomb to avoid wastage. In addition, they assert that it was retaliation against the past atrocities committed by Japan hence justified. It was also a means of coercing the enemies to support the United States. On the other side, opponents assert that it was not justified for the US to claim that it was preventing more casualties from its country. This was use of excessive power over Japan.