The debate on whether the United States was right or wrong by dropping the two atomic bombs in Japan as witnessed during the Second World War has raged for decades. Up to date, there is no specific agreement on whether the attack was justifiable or not because different people approach the incidence from different perspectives and everyone is entitled to their opinion. The two bombs were released on two different occasions. The Hiroshima attack was done on August 6, 1945, and the deaths rose to about 135,000, while the Nagasaki bomb attack was executed on August 9, 1945, killing nearly 50,000 people (Dunlap, 2015). Although killing is unjustifiable, sometimes it can be considered necessary as long as it is acting as a lesser evil to pervert the more devastating future occurrences (Southard, 2015). In the case of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the damage caused is considered a lesser evil compared to what would have happened if the war continued for some time.
It is understood that the bombing led to significant damage and deaths of many innocent people. The attack is estimated to have caused 74,000 deaths and injured tens of thousands (Dunlap, 2015). The two cities were seriously ruined and many industries rendered functionless, leading to a drastic economic drop. The radiations emitted during the blasts are occasionally blamed for the many disadvantageous mutations, which consequently lead to cancerous growths and lameness of many Japanese (Southard, 2015). The survivors of the blasts were left with agonic memories and while many were traumatized. Those who argue against the attack also believe that the then growing racism could have triggered the invasion against the Japanese (Dunlap, 2015). In addition, most of thoseopposed to the attack argue that recommendations for the use of the bombs were a show that the military was more interested in its devastating effects rather than ending the World War II (Dunlap, 2015). Consequently, the bombings lead to the destruction of many social facilities such as schools and hospitals.
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Despite the hazardous effects caused by the dropping of the two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, duringthe action, many advantages can be drawn. First, it led to the end of the dark period of human history. The United States acted just like any other nation to defend its sovereignty. The United States had the right to use all means to bring the war into an end and at the same time remain independence ( Reed, 2018 ). Japan had remained reluctant in surrendering to the war for a couple of months, a situation that saw hundreds of innocent people lose their lives every day. If this war were to continue for more several months, the destruction and loss of lives would have been more than what occurred during the two bombs attack. The United States had suffered the loss of at least 418,000 lives, both the military and the innocent civilians (Dunlap, 2015). Therefore, it was reasonable and justifiable for the United States to take the remaining option of launching the two severe attacks against the Japanese to prevent further toll of deaths.
The second reason why the United States was justifiable in applying the use of atomic bombs against the Japanese is that the atomic bomb served to keep the USSR in line, and for that reason, it achieved its purpose. It is known that by the time the United States used the atomic bombs to launch the concerted attack against the Japanese, the Soviets were developing their own nuclear device (Southard, 2015). Although the dropping of the two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki duringWW2 was not intended to stop the Soviets from developing their nuclear device, the outcome was that it finally served to deter them, reducinguneasinessand thus increased peace between the United States and the USSR. Consequently, the atomic bombs paved the way for the United States dominance of the superpower following the end of the Second World War. Even after the Soviets and the Stalin developed their weapons in the 1960s, the United States continued to dominate power, and this could be the reason why there has erupted the third world war up to date.
Thirdly, by the time the United States used the atomic bombs against the Japanese, there were no clear rules and regulations regarding the use of nuclear bombs. In fact, it is known that the USSR had already started to develop their atomic devices as early as 1943. Had the United States not tested the use the atomic bombs to end World War II, the USSR would still have tested their device later; probably in a careless and destructive manner (Southard, 2015). It is worth to note that the United States is a peaceful nation and it only uses its weapons whenever necessary. The case of attacking the Japanese with the atomic bombs is justifiable because the massive civilian deaths caused by the atomic bombs dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki is just a small price to pay by the United States in return for their assertion of dominance on the World stage (Yamamura, 2013). Furthermore, postponing the use of the atomic bombs would have seen the Second World War continue for a long duration. Owing to the destructive nature of the Second World War, its prolonged period would have certainly resulted in more destruction and loss of lives for both the United States and Japanese. The Japanese would not have surrendered if they had not suffered such large devastating effects.
Finally, the United States had the right to use all means available to defend her independence (Schmemann, 2015). The prime intention of the Japanese to engage in war with the United States was to conquer the United States. If Japan had won the war against the United States, they would have colonized the United States ruthlessly. It is apparent that the United States reacted oppositely to what the Japanese would have responded had they won the fight. Instead of colonizing the Japanese, the United States opted to set them free for the purpose of maintaining peace in the world. This is a clear indication the United States is a peaceful nation and its engagement in war in purposed at maintaining peace to both its civilians and the rest of the world. Therefore, the use of the atomic bombs by the United States to invade Hiroshima and Nagasaki was not only aimed at creating and maintaining peace to both States and Japan but also to the rest of the world (Schmemann, 2015).
In conclusion, dropping of the two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States during WW2 was justifiable. Despite the devastating effects caused by the atomic bombs, the merits of the outcomes of the attack outweigh the demerits by far. The demerits include the destruction of property and loss of lives for both the civilians and the Japanese army. On the other hand, the merits include marking the end of the devastating WW2, establishment of stable world peace, and ending the dark period of human history (Schmemann, 2015). In overall, it was recommendable for the United States to use the atomic bombs in order to bring the WW2 into an end, as it was the only remaining solution by then. However, currently the world has become globalized, and there are many alternatives for solving conflicts between the nations. The atomic bombs should therefore not be used anymore because their impacts are unwelcoming and they affect many generations.
References
Dunlap, W. (2015). The New York Times: Times Insider: 1945 | Witnessing the A-Bomb, but Forbidden to File (Online). Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/times-insider/2015/08/06/1945-witnessing-the-a-bomb-but-forbidden-to-file/
Reed, B. C. (2018). The Ongoing Story of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. American Scientist, 106 (2), 88-94
Schmemann, S. (2015). The New York Times: Remembering Hiroshima, and How it Changed the World. (Online). Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/08/opinion/remembering-hiroshima-and-how-it-changed-the-world.html
Southard, S. (2015). The New York Times: A Debate over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, 70 Years Later. (Online). Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/11/opinion/a-debate-over-hiroshima-and-nagasaki-70-years-later.html
Yamamura, E. (2013). Atomic bombs and the long-run effect on trust: Experiences in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Journal of Socio-Economics, 46, 17-24
