The Logical Approach

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Recommended: Uses of atomic bomb in world war 2

In World War II, the Manhattan Project led the U.S. to creating a destructive masterpiece- the atomic bomb. Japan was not ready to surrender, at least not unconditionally. The U.S. could not risk the loss of perhaps millions of soldiers’ and civilians’ lives with an invasion. The war had become a total war, where the country was at war in all aspects, even the citizens. Japan knew in full what total war could lead to. The bomb was the most effective route of action. Japan was worn but not done. They would not accept an unconditional surrender. They were willing to fight to the last soldier standing (Lapsansky-Werner, Emma 378-379). That could all be avoided if it were a conditional surrender. That would mean they get to keep what they wanted: their emperor system. That very system is what was leading the damaged country. The United States believed they could set up a better governing system (Ambrose).They only way to do that was unconditional surrender which would mean breaking Japan’s fighting spirit. A nuclear catastrophe could easily do that (Farah). Hit them with the bomb and kill the innocent, see if the emperor even bats an eyelash. In Hiroshima, Hersey states, “Yes, people of Hiroshima died manly in the atomic bombing, believing that it was for Emperor’s sake” (89). It would show the people how well their precious emperor could protect them. This situation was perfect for an a-bomb. It’s the only logical solution. It may kill, but it would be less bloodshed than if there were an invasion (Lapsansky-Werner, Emma 378-379). An invasion would be pricey on American lives. A bomb could prevent a confrontation. Truman’s military advisers estimated 1,000,000 American lives would be lost with an invasion of Japan (Lapsansky-Wern... ... middle of paper ... ... the city was burned. The world already saw corruption at every turn. “America was not morally unique-just technologically exceptional” (Bernstein 151-152). The enemy would have dropped the bomb on us, which leads to the question: In the midst of destruction and desperation, what is considered truly wrong. Works Cited Ambrose, S.E. (1971). Rise to globalism: American foreign policy 1938-1970. Baltimore, ML: Penguin Books Inc. Bernstein, B.J. (1995). The atomic bomb reconsidered. Foreign Affairs, 74, 151-152. Farah.M., Karls, A.B., & Kortepeter, C.M. (1985). The human experience. A world history, Columbus, OH: Merill Publishing Company. Hersey, John. Hiroshima. Vintage Books. A Division of Random House. New York. Feb 1989. 9 May 2013. Lapsansky-Werner, Emma, et al. United States History Modern America. Boston, Massachusetts: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2008. Print.

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