Dropping the Atomic Bomb: A Necessary Evil?

1. Dropping the Atomic Bomb:A Necessary Evil?

2. History • Japanese put up fierce fights to keep Iwo Jima (March 1945) and Okinawa (June 1945) • Thousands of Americans died • Japan’s air force and navy destroyed • American B-29 bombers pounded cities • Killed thousands of civilians and hurt economy • Japanese used Kamikazes • Sank several ships

3. Atomic scientists: “If the U.S. were to be the first to release this new means of…destruction, we would sacrifice public support throughout the world, [begin] a nuclear arms race, and [hurt] the possibility of reaching international agreement on the future control of such weapons.” -June 1945 President Truman defends his decision: “Having found the bomb we have used it…We have used it in order to shorten the agony of war, in order to save the lives of thousands and thousands of young Americans. -August 1945 The Arguments

4. Hiroshima 350,000 people directly exposed to the Atomic Bomb 140,000 died by the end of 1945 Only 20,000 of those deaths were military service men Nagasaki Decades later huge increases in cancer were seen Effects of the Bombs on:

5. War on Civilians? • Not only were civilians killed, but thousands were injured and experienced long term severe health problems and eventual death

6. The Bomb was Justified It saved thousands of US soldiers Japan showed near maniacal resistance – would NOT give up Invading Japan would cause MORE deaths on BOTH sides The 2 targeted cities would have been bombed anyway Immediate use of the bomb would convince the world of its horror and prevent its use in the future The Bomb was UNjustified Japan was ready to quit (more than 60 cities destroyed, US was blockading ports, and the USSR began attacking troops in Manchuria US would NOT accept anything but Unconditional surrender Detonation over a non-populated area would have been proof of the bomb Civilians outnumbered troops in Hiroshima 6 to 1 There was no need to use 2 bombs