Analyzing the Decision: Was Dropping Atomic Bombs on Japan Justified?

This essay critically examines the ethical and strategic considerations surrounding the decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. The essay begins by exploring alternative choices available to the United States, such as continuing the blockade and conventional attacks or negotiating peace, and evaluates their potential effectiveness and consequences. It then analyzes the Potsdam Declaration and the Japanese response, assessing whether the communication was clear enough to avoid the bombings. The essay further investigates the extent of the destruction caused by the atomic bombs, considering the immense loss of life and the long-term impact on the cities and their inhabitants. Ultimately, the essay argues that the use of atomic bombs was justified, considering the Japanese military's unwavering resistance and the potential for saving American lives. This essay provides a comprehensive overview of the historical context, ethical dilemmas, and strategic calculations that shaped this critical moment in history, and offers an in-depth analysis of the complex factors that influenced the decision to drop the atomic bombs.

Running head: WAS IT OK TO DROP THE ATOMIC BOMBS? 1
Was it OK to Drop the Atomic Bombs?
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WAS IT OK TO DROP THE ATOMIC BOMBS? 2
Was it OK to Drop the Atomic Bombs?
Other Choices
Blockade and conventional attacks should have continued. Truman should have depended
on the destructive and relentless B-29 firebombing of Japanese cities in tandem with the naval
barrier for the wear and tear down of Japanese resistance. Furthermore, it may take time for
strategic targeting to compel submission and jeopardize American aircraft, soldiers, and sailors.
Other than the two nuclear attacks may have killed far more Japanese citizens with this method.
Negotiate peace. Truman understood that Suzuki and Hirohito sought to find a way to
reach a war resolution. The formal alliance position was for Japan's destruction, much as the
Nazi system was. He may have spoken about pacific circumstances for them, but declined to
accept anything more than "unconditional surrender." The deal may not, however, have bolstered
the Japanese government's war party by revealing allies' vulnerability. They should have
facilitated greater demands by the Japanese and allowed them sufficient time to brace themselves
for the assaults, such as the protection of the military.
Potsdam Declaration and the Response
The three governments, Britain, the United States, and China, decided in the Declaration
that Japan would be offered the chance to stop the war. The declaration vowed that recognition
would guarantee Japan will not be slavery to an ethnicity nor destructed to a country. Tokyo was
called to "proclaim the complete surrender of all Japanese military forces now and to ensure its
full and correct promises of their good faith in such acts, as an alternative for Japan is rapid and

WAS IT OK TO DROP THE ATOMIC BOMBS? 3
absolute destruction." This did not discuss the methods to bring about the rapid and complete
destruction of Japan.
Japan Prime Minister Kantarō Suzuki answered with "no comments" in a press briefing.
Japan, however, make no further comments in the following days, and the U.S. Military bombed
on Hiroshima, Japan, on August 6, 1945, and destroyed much of the city.
Was the destruction of Japan too great?
The first atom weapon used to battle the Japanese city of Hiroshima was delivered in the
early hours of August 6, 1945. The bomb was lowered and detonated 580 meters off the ground.
It instantly killed approximately 90,000 people. The heat from the blast was so strong that certain
people just vanished. At 120,000, the total mortality figure was projected. The casualties also
included Koreans compelled to work in Japan and U.S. prisoners of war detained in Hiroshima,
as well as citizens of Hiroshima. More than 10 square kilometers of the area was destroyed by
the explosion. Then the extreme heat of the blast formed several fires that consumed as well as
spanned for Hiroshima for three days, locking and killing several of the surviving victims of the
first explosion. Thousands became homeless and escaped the destroyed region.
The Americans launched a second, more significant atom device in the early hours of
August 9. Kokura was the initial target, but the cloud covered it, and then Nagasaki, a vital city,
was sunk by the blast. Around 60,000 inhabitants were murdered instantly as well as demolished
a third of the town. At least 80,000 deaths were estimated.
Was it OK to drop the atomic bombs?

WAS IT OK TO DROP THE ATOMIC BOMBS? 4
Yes, the Japanese displayed their ability to serve in battle without distinction. They didn't
just give up. They nevertheless struggled for deaths or committed suicide, confronted with
superior forces, and almost no hope to win a war. It was known that it does not impact them to
show an enormous force. America had lost hundreds of thousands to the Germans. Then the
Japanese and atomic weapons were the only way to convince America to withdraw and rescue its
war prisoners who had been massacred and made the Japanese force retreat in Southeast Asia
before any further Rankings. The easiest and quickest way to stop the war and save Americans
was to release the atom bombs.