usage of the atomic bombs was militarily unnecessary and immoral. Furthermore, it lead to the extensive loss of civilian life, therefore making these bombings justifiable only to a lesser extent. However, supporters of the bombings generally are of the opinion that they were instrumental in the Japanese surrender. These supporters also believe that the bombings were beneficial in preventing casualties on both sides, and helped in protecting America from further attacks, especially by Japan.
Even before the atomic bombs were dropped, Japan’s surrender was imminent (Source B, Extract 1). Japan had already been militarily defeated by June, 1945. Japan’s Air Force had been almost completely destroyed. Also, almost nothing was left of the Imperial …show more content…
It is likely the Japanese would have surrendered almost immediately if America had made provision for the Emperor to remain in his place of power in their terms for surrender, thus saving thousands of lives. Regardless, it is likely the Japanese would have accepted the Allied terms of unconditional surrender before the land invasion began and without the use of the atomic bombs. This shows that, particularly with the Japanese peace efforts in mind, there was little justification for the use of the atomic bombs. American ulterior motives further undermine the justification of the usage of the atomic bombs. A large amount, of approximately $2 billion, was spent on the Manhattan Project, in order to build and test the atomic bombs. President Truman risked both congressional rebuke, as well as a loss of face and reputation if the bombs were not used. (Source B, Extract 2).
On the other hand, the use of the atomic bomb (the existence of which the other Allied leaders were unaware of until the Potsdam Conference in July 1945, less than a month before they were used) is considered by many to have been the final straw that began the Cold War, since President Truman wanted to show the atomic bomb’s power to Stalin in a manner of the so-called atomic diplomacy (Source
Even before the atomic bombs were dropped, Japan’s surrender was imminent (Source B, Extract 1). Japan had already been militarily defeated by June, 1945. Japan’s Air Force had been almost completely destroyed. Also, almost nothing was left of the Imperial …show more content…
It is likely the Japanese would have surrendered almost immediately if America had made provision for the Emperor to remain in his place of power in their terms for surrender, thus saving thousands of lives. Regardless, it is likely the Japanese would have accepted the Allied terms of unconditional surrender before the land invasion began and without the use of the atomic bombs. This shows that, particularly with the Japanese peace efforts in mind, there was little justification for the use of the atomic bombs. American ulterior motives further undermine the justification of the usage of the atomic bombs. A large amount, of approximately $2 billion, was spent on the Manhattan Project, in order to build and test the atomic bombs. President Truman risked both congressional rebuke, as well as a loss of face and reputation if the bombs were not used. (Source B, Extract 2).
On the other hand, the use of the atomic bomb (the existence of which the other Allied leaders were unaware of until the Potsdam Conference in July 1945, less than a month before they were used) is considered by many to have been the final straw that began the Cold War, since President Truman wanted to show the atomic bomb’s power to Stalin in a manner of the so-called atomic diplomacy (Source