Atomic Bombing of Japan: Necessity or Barbarism?

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WAS THE ATOMIC BOMBING OF JAPAN (HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI) IN 1945 NECESSARY? INTRODUCTION After America had successfully tested the atomic bomb in mid-July 1945, the United States President was eager to use it as one of the weapons of ending the Second World War. Despite the evidence gathered from the testing of this bomb that it had far reaching effects than other normal bombs, President Harry Truman still went forth to have a chart with his allies on the possibility of using the bomb as a way of forcing Japan to surrender. To many, this was a seriously barbarous act that has ever been recorded in the history of the world. Thus, there have always been discussions as to whether the use of the bomb was necessary or not. Many views have been put forth to either defend President Harry Truman or to criticize his decision. The shocking part of these is that …show more content…

For instance, consider Harry Truman's statement below. "I realize the tragic significance of the atomic bomb...having found the bomb, we have used it. We have used it against those who attacked us without warning at Pearl Harbor, against those who have starved and beaten and executed American prisoners of war, against those who have abandoned all pretense of obeying international laws of warfare. We have used it in order to shorten the agony of young Americans. We shall continue to use it until we completely destroy Japan's power to make war. Only a Japanese surrender will stop us." From this point of view, America's decision is justified since it is clear that Japanese not only fought but also captured and tortured the prisoners of war, killed non-combatants, raping and looting and even the mass slaughter of Chinese civilians. The President was aware of this and to some extent, his decision can be justified. Furthermore, the Japanese war men were filled with ideas of racial

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