America's Attack on Japan Using the Atomic Bomb: Was It Necessary?

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On the August 6, 1945, the world's first atomic bomb was dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, by the United States. A flash, stronger than the sun itself, followed by a fiery explosion within seconds completely annihilated the city. A few days later another Japanese city, Nagasaki, was obliterated by a second atomic bomb. These attacks were in an effort to end World War II promptly. But were these horrific attacks necessary? Japan had already been shattered in the previous year, Russia was on the verge of declaring war on Japan, and I believe the fairly new President Truman was steered into making the decision that would make history and science books by use of a technological weapon against a war enemy. Therefore, I believe the use of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were unnecessary. Prior to the decision to drop the atomic bomb, America had already defeated Japan militarily. The U.S. military had advanced from island to island, crushing Japan. Not a thing was left of the once mighty Imperial Navy, and Japan's Air Force had been all but totally destroyed. Without this support the land forces could not fight back. All of Japan's military was dwindling away, and Japan was almost defenseless. The air strikes completely destroyed Tokyo and other cities without meeting any opposition. Japan lost the war when they could not fight back. They watched as their cities burned. Because they were already defeated and were showing signs that they knew defeat was inevitable the United States should have waited for Japan to surrender, instead of dropping the bomb. The scientists and the U.S. Government had already made their decision by funding the money to build the super powered weapon because a ground force inva... ... middle of paper ... ...s response to Senator Russell's telegram. It said that his "object is to save as many American lives as possible but I also have a humane feeling for the women and children of Japan." (L). I am wondering how the atomic bombs would save women and children of Japan. It didn't save them, it obliterated them in a quick, painful, and inhumane manner. The bombs did not defeat Japan. In conclusion, Japan had already been defeated and avenged. Japan did not want a war with Russia and would have surrendered had the Soviets had the time to declare war, but the United States stopped the Soviet maneuver with a surprise atomic bombing. I agree President Truman wanted to end the war quickly but in my opinion, too quickly. Had Roosevelt lived, I believe the Japanese would have surrendered from Soviet invasion and the radioactive horror would not have been carried out.

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