August 6 1945 marked a devastating point in human existence, and especially to the people of Japan. During the World War II, a period 1939-1945, a B-29 American bomber dropped on the city of Hiroshima the first deployed atomic bomb; a uranium gun type bomb ( Espinosa, 2016 ). The atomic bomb is believed to have obliterated 80,000 people immediately, which was about 90 percent of the city’s population ( Espinosa, 2016 ). Later, tens of thousands more succumbed to radiation exposure (Newman, 2016). Three days after this, another B-29 bomber dropped a plutonium bomb this time on Nagasaki, further wiping out 40,000 people ( Espinosa, 2016 ). Following these two events, Emperor Hirohito of Japan announced Japan’s unconditional surrender on August 15 and later signing the instrument of surrender on September 2 in Tokyo Bay ( Espinosa, 2016 ). These events subsequently ended World War II (Newman, 2016). The result of the two atomic bombs was irreversible effects on the demographical landscape of the two Japanese cities, negative impacts on the people, and an impact on the social and political dynamics of the subsequent world events. Clearly, the attack was not justified whether ethically, rationally or on legal grounds.
Ramifications of the Two Atomic Bombs the Aftermath
Many perspectives have been built around the idea of hailing the two bombs as the reason there was a culmination of the ceasefire. As much is this coincided as a final straw to the end of World War II, it was also a condemnation of fellow humans, whose sanctioning cannot be justified ( Espinosa, 2016 ). The detonation of the atomic bombs lead to a horrific devastation and mass casualties. The long-term effects of radiation exposure resulted in survivors battling cancer ( Selden & Selden, 2015 ). Moreover, the attack maimed hundreds of thousands of people, and the health implication on Japan was immense ( Espinosa, 2016 ). The Radiation Effects Research Foundation collected data that showed that survivors to some extent have a great cancer burden (Newman, 2016). Notably, this in turn condemns them to a shorter lifespan. Although radiation exposure differed from one individual to another due to range of dosage with regard to proximity, the effects were felt. Other long-term health effects include diseases such as; leukaemia, increase in anaemia, an upsurge of cases of cataracts, where the eye’s lenses become foggy and keloids among others (Newman, 2016). All these would not have occurred had the atomic bombs not been dropped in the first place. Markedly, the detonation was a clear indication of clear disregard of human populous, ethical consideration, humanity, and basically throwing any consideration of civilians as collateral damage to the wind (Newman, 2016). Therefore, these health ramifications, coupled with the sanctioning of an abrupt end to lives can by no means be justified.
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The Impact of the Two Bombings on the Social and Political Future
It has to be highlighted that this was an attack on a country that considered itself sovereign. This part in history changed diplomacy and perspectives in transnational relations ( Selden & Selden, 2015 ). Markedly, a sense of paranoia gripped most states. Every state considered every move by a neighbouring country as mischievous however honest the intentions could be. Countries that had lesser ammunition options in their armoury entered the race of being weaponized in preparation for an unknown war ( Selden & Selden, 2015 ). Moreover, many nations have now procured weapons of mass destruction, and this is considered to be a showcase in the superpower ranking aspects. It is true that states now treat each other with suspicion ( Selden & Selden, 2015 ). Nations accuse each other of espionage and use of security intelligence gathering agencies to collect information on other states vulnerabilities ( Selden & Selden, 2015 ). Thus, the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki had far reaching global consequences; hence, their actions cannot be justified.
Conclusion
Notably, the detonation of the two Uranium and plutonium atomic bombs cannot justified, either ethically or legally. No rationale was used in arriving at the means of combat. It appears that no consideration was put into account with regard to consequences. In fact, it is a shame that innocent civilians were caught up in this unfortunate event that almost obliterated the two cities. Even though it led to the end of World War II, and eventual ceasefire followed by signing of peace treaties, this was a dark point in human existence and one that cannot be justified.
References
Espinosa, A. (2016). Review of The Most Controversial Decision: Truman, the Atomic Bombs, and the Defeat of Japan and Hiroshima: Why America Dropped the Atomic Bomb. Armstrong Undergraduate Journal of History , 6 (2), 103-107.
Newman, T. (2016). Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Have The Long-Term Effects Been Resolved?. https://www.medical-news-today.com
Selden, K. I., & Selden, M. (2015). The Atomic Bomb: Voices from Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Voices from Hiroshima and Nagasaki . Routledge.
