Posted: August 22nd, 2021

Discussion #8: The Decision To Drop The Atomic Bomb

Discussion #8: The Decision To Drop The Atomic Bomb. Critics have charged that the United States was morally irresponsible in using atomic weapons against Japan during World War II.

What are the explanations that have been offered in support of dropping the atomic bomb? What is your response to these explanations? Make sure that you provide specific support from your readings.

The decision to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II has been widely debated, and some critics have argued that it was morally irresponsible. However, supporters of the decision have offered several explanations for why it was necessary.

One argument in support of the use of atomic weapons is that it was necessary to end the war quickly and save lives. The United States had been engaged in a long and costly war with Japan, and invading the Japanese homeland was expected to result in significant casualties for both sides. The use of the atomic bomb was seen as a way to force Japan to surrender and avoid a protracted ground war. In his book “The Making of the Atomic Bomb,” Richard Rhodes writes that President Truman believed that using the bomb would “save many times the number of lives, American and Japanese, that it would cost.”

Another argument is that the use of atomic weapons was necessary to send a message to the Soviet Union and other potential adversaries. The United States was entering into a new era of international relations, and the atomic bomb was seen as a way to demonstrate American military dominance and deter future aggression. In his book “Hiroshima,” John Hersey writes that General Leslie Groves, the military leader in charge of the Manhattan Project, believed that using the bomb would “make a profound impression on the world, and perhaps lead to a more peaceful time.”

However, some historians and scholars have challenged these arguments. For example, in his book “Atomic Diplomacy,” historian Gar Alperovitz argues that the use of atomic weapons was not necessary to end the war quickly and that Japan was already on the verge of surrender. He also argues that the decision to use the bomb was driven more by political considerations than military necessity, with Truman seeking to send a message to the Soviet Union and establish American dominance in the post-war world.

In conclusion, while there are arguments in support of the decision to drop the atomic bomb, there are also valid criticisms of this decision. It is important to consider the historical context and different perspectives when evaluating the use of atomic weapons in World War

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