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It is agreed by many parts of our society that one of the main atrocities done by the human being took place on August 6 th and 9 th, 1945 in the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. Over 170, 000 innocent Japanese individuals died due to the dropping of two atomic bombs created in the United States. This transcendent historical event suddenly ended the bloody Second World War and gave the start to a new one, the cold war, which in fact led to an atomic weapons race between the Soviet Union and the United Sates of North America. It is constantly argued if the effect that the mentioned ending of the war had was positive or not to its resolution, and if the entire world got any benefits from it, but the action of dropping the nuclear weapons on the Japanese cities by the American government was completely unjustified, unnecessary, and unfair. Japan was the only nation that was still fighting against the allied countries when Germany surrendered, and its army was in very poor conditions: its troops were considerably weak, its amount of armament was running out, and the government was about to surrender in a matter of months. In addition, the final decision was not informed or warned to Japanese authorities which, in that case, could have probably prevented the catastrophe, the dropping place of the devastating bombs were of limited military value and, finally, the decision was made partly thinking of the value of its development, the political intimidation that it would create on the Soviet Union and the rest of the world, and mans natural but vicious need of power and leadership.
The expensive nuclear attack was an unneeded method to win the war because, at the time, Japan was not strong enough to fight back the allies. More than sixty Japanese cities had been destroyed during the war by conventional bombing, the country lost potential help from Germany, the home islands were being blockaded by the American Navy, and the small islands in the Pacific Ocean once occupied by Japan were now under American control. In addition to its bad situation the Soviet Union declared war against the troubled nation by attacking Japanese troops in Manchuria. The vast majority of the people around the globe knew that Japan had no possible way to win this war. Some people would argue that the bombs were developed to reduce the number of casualties from both sides by giving a quick end to the war. However, even if the attack to Hiroshima was a necessary element to end the Second World War, the United States did not give enough time for word to filter out of its devastation before bombing Nagasaki.
Also, there were many different options for the American government to choose. A demonstration of the potential power of the weapon could have taken place in a deserted island in presence of Japanese leaders to warn them of what were they confronting. A forewarning of the attack could also have been issued with the ultimatum in order to get Japan submitted. It is worth to mention that none of these warnings were employed by the U.
S government to prevent Japan of the large destruction of its cities and the loss of thousands of innocent lives. The affected cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were not areas of military significance. Most war related people were simple citizens that worked for a company that manufactured war related supplies. Civilians outnumbered soldiers and sailors five or six to one. The fact that thousands of lives of innocent men, women, and children were meaningless ended is the main reason that makes the action of the attack completely negative.
Families were destroyed in seconds, kids lost their parents, and physical and emotional wounds were never to get healed. This decision would change thousands of peoples lives forever. Despite the arguments issued by politicians about the use of the nuclear weapon, the bomb was used partly to justify the two billion dollars spent in its development. The American government did no want to waste that money and was willing to test the innovation on living humans. Another reason for why this decision was made was to politically intimidate other countries, especially the Soviet Union.
Americas political leaders wanted to show the rest of the world the potential power of the United States. Being able to defeat an entire nation in a matter of days without loosing any soldiers and before the URSS entered the war against Japan, was a strategic plan designated by President Truman to keep the Soviet Union from playing a major role in determining the post-war peace settlement in Asia. An important fact that comes as a focus point of numerous discussions is the denial by the American Government to the unconditional surrender offered by Japan. This statement informed enemy leaders that Japan was willing to surrender with the condition to keep its emperor, Hirohito (person that Japanese citizens viewed as a kind of God). The approval of this document would have changed lives of thousands that died due to the attack, and it would also have taken pressure off from U. S leaders by not having to make such a great decision.
Regardless of the wrong elements that were considered important by the decision-makers such as: political intimidation's, cost of the equipment, and denials of surrender- the most affected part of this attack were the victims that were killed or wounded, the entire families left mourning friends or relatives, and especially the children of the Japanese cities which future was changed forever. In conclusion, and in spite of the arguments expressed by past American leaders, the main objective of the dropping of the atomic bomb was not to save millions of lives, but to gain future political and military power. However, many advices by well known leaders were enthusiastically delivered to the president. But these warnings were not enough for minor groups who looked for more power and complete dominations over other nations. The only thing left for us to do is to ask ourselves if this vicious need of supremacy and authority will overcome our trusted leaders once again, or would society act more eagerly to not let atrocities like this happen again.
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Research essay sample on Second World War Hiroshima And Nagasaki
