The Controversial Decision to Drop the Atomic Bomb on Japan

Abstract

Whether or Not the United States should have dropped the Atomic Bomb The United States is a superpower nation that remains respected around the globe. However, it remains the only nation ever to use an atomic bomb in war. Seventy-six years ago and the impact of the dropped atomic bombs remained very loud amongst the Japanese. The Japanese city of Hiroshima experienced the impact of the first two atomic bombs that the United States dropped on 6th August 1945, killing 70000 people instantly. The deaths rose to 140000 after some hours. Three days later, The United States dropped another bomb over Nagasaki, which claimed more than 40000 lives instantly. Considering the impacts of such atomic bombs, especially regarding the innocent lost lives, one can argue that it was not justified to drop such bombs. America was not supposed to use the atomic bombs in the war as more humane approaches like deployment of law enforcers would have better replaced the killer bombs. Atomic bombs can be described as the most powerful and destructive force ever created by humankind. To this effect, using such destructive powers in war implies that thousands or millions will suffer/lose lives due to the powerful explosions. Nevertheless, the United States decided to employ such a powerful force in response to the Second World War, which claimed so many lives and destroyed the reputation of this great nation. Harry S. Truman, the then president of the United States, is believed to be the man behind the authorization of the attack on Hiroshima. Truman authorized the US B-29 bomber aircraft to drop the nuclear bomb "Little Boy" at Hiroshima on 6th August 1945. Why did this president authorize such an act, though he understood very well the extent of impact such an attack would have on the Japanese? Japan was adamant about surrendering and declaring defeat for the sake of peace and the end of WW2. To this effect, having successfully tested a working atomic bomb in July of 1945 after the surrender of Nazi Germany in May 1945, the American scientists working on the Manhattan project assured Truman that America had a super machine that could respond positively to any of their attacks (Documents 3d). Though Truman would have made any other decisions, he was left with no options as he could not justify to the American public why the delays to attack Japan when the nation had the most terrible weapon available. In Document (4), Truman, now being conversant with the top secrets associated with the deadly weapon, welcomed another secret on the atomic attacks available targets. Hiroshima, a prominent Japanese city, proved a potential target that the American military officers and nuclear scientists aimed to ensure that the impact remained so loud for the Japanese government to ignore. The secret target selection had nothing to do with Truman. On the contrary, the secret committee made it their responsibility but ensured that Truman remained tied by his powers as expected to act for the good of all Americans. Unfortunately, the American public knew about the magic's associated with the nuclear bombs; thus, having one of their own called for the intervention of the right powers to authorize its use in response to the long witnessed differences between America and Japan. Speaking with CNN, Charles Maier, a professor of history at Harvard University, confessed that "the atomic bomb seemed to offer potentially magical solutions that would spare a lot of pain." As carried along by most of the Americans, such assumptions proved a strong reason why Truman authorized the dropping of...