Realist Viewpoint of World War II

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The realist school of thought stands for anarchy and fighting for its own selfish reasons to preserve the nation's interest. Back in December 7th, 1941 after the Japanese air force attack to Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, America’s military was caught by surprise bringing out the attention of the whole nation against Japan. President Harry S. Truman, made the decision in 1945 to attack Japan with nuclear bombs first to Hiroshima and then three day later to Nagasaki. Days later, Japan surrender, and World War II was drawn into a close. Realist scholars say that the decision made was unnecessary. The death among the two cities were around 200,000, in Hiroshima there were 90,000 deaths, and Nagasaki had 37,000 death this is without counting the deaths of the injured and after nuclear contaminations. Although, people usually think realism is attach to power, force, and attack, they knew back then Japan had been defeated before the bombs were drop. Truman’s chief of staff, Admiral William Leahy, said in his memoirs that “the use of this barbarous weapon at Hiroshima and Nagasaki was of no material assistance in our war against Japan. The Japanese were already defeated and ready to surrender.” One of the main reasons behind the attack was to proof to the Soviet Union that we had the nuclear weapon and we were not afraid to use it against our enemies. The major excuse used was that the destruction of the two cities minimize the United States military casualties that would had been produce by war battles. At that time General Eisenhower expressed his dreading opinion of the devastating decision, the Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson though the strategy move was necessary to win against Japan. Eisenhower thought the contrary, he even tried... ... middle of paper ... ... of other powers did so too.The Non-Proliferation treaty was created to diminish nuclear weapons from the five original states (United States, Russia, China, France, and United Kingdom), and prevent other states to acquire them. Realists belief that there is no above power that should control or regulate a state, ironically the U.S. promoted the development of the weapons and is now focused in preventing it. The Japan bombing attack open a pandora box and a fear outlook of the future. The NPT goes against rational actors, if one state seeks nuclear power why others should not have the same level of defense mechanism? At least, the NPT allows the nuclear energy enrichment. Japan is… Many realist say alliances are not normal and once the purpose is reach most importantly the union disappears. The new nuclear age creates additional worries due to non state actors..

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