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Honors US History Atomic Bomb
For Mr. Bergen's US History class.
Option 1: Make this a time for peace. Japan is defeated. Don't use the bomb.
Option 2: Act responsibly. Demonstate the power of the bomb. If Japan doesn't surrender, they are the immoral ones. We must lead by example.
Option 3: Push ahead to final victory. Fascism must end. Too many American lives have been lost. The bomb will save American lives.
Grading Scale:
A: Student has clear claim and provides facts and evidence in counterclaims and rebuttals. Student speaks almost exclusively from fact than from opinion. Student is effective at creating more debate with their counterclaim and rebuttals. Student consistently speaks with outside independent research. Student tone and language is appropriate and respectful.
B: Student has clear claim and provides facts and evidence in counterclaims and rebuttals. Student speaks more from fact than from opinion. Student is effective at creating more debate with their counterclaim and rebuttals. Student tone and language is appropriate and respectful.
C: Student has clear claim and provides opinion in counterclaims and rebuttals. Student speaks more from opinion than from facts. Student tone and language is appropriate and respectful.
F: Student has clear claim and provides only opinion in counterclaims and rebuttals. Student tone and language is appropriate and respectful.
The Japanese were not going to give up even if it look like they were defeated they were going to fight to the end. If japan had not given up their insane war by the time a demonstration of the atomic bomb will convince them to surrender.
It is very clear that the Japanese would prefer national survival, even through surrender, rather than virtual extinction. Besides, Japan was already discussing with the Soviet Union on their surrender.
Just because they were weak doesn't mean that they were still not killing Americans as well. In 1942, it was reported that not only were we fighting 2 million troops, but there women and children too. Thats double the load!
Well the United States wanted to throw away their emperor. technically their "god". the Japanese wanted to keep their emperor. So they told the Soviet union to help the united states to come to an agreement. Pretty much they do want to surrender, but keep their emperor.
What right do they have to continue with an imperialist/fascist Emperor. He has perpetuated millions of dead in China and the Pacific. When we defeated the Nazis, we did not allow any of their leaders to stay in charge. BOOM.
i agree but also it was also to show the soviets and satalin not to expand europ cuz that was there intenshion and the us wouldent let thhis happen. thats how come north korea is a comunist and south korea is where we do bisnes and has a thriving ecomomy
The Japanese have already recognized their defeat and they are already preparing to surrender. Now with the soviets showing up, that will do it and no need of a bomb.
My option choice is number 2 because I believe before violence is needed, we should demonstrate the power of the atomic bomb to warn the enemy that what they're doing is not right and they will be punished if they don't correct themselves.
if we show that we have the power of the bomb, then thatl onlyget them scared and will protect their cty, and what will they do to protect their city? they will atack us first, therfore we should bomb them, its either them or us ;)
The Japanese would not attack back because they do not have strength/power to compete against the U.S. The U.S is more technologically advance in this period and is the only country that posses the Atomic Bomb
In Greek mythology, the great King Theseus believed that you shall do to another as they had done to you, which means what they did to you, you must help even out the balance and get them how they got you. I bring this evidence to support option 2 but I'm leaning more towards option 3 so I'm like 2.5. Not only did Japan attack us more than twice which makes it just that we attack them to save our soldiers and end the war but also to get even by proving that we have the power to destroy who is doing wrong.
Either way, they would've surrendered. Instead of bombing in a urban area, its probably better if we use of the atomic bomb on a deserted island will demonstrate how powerful we are.
Before the bomb was dropped the Soviet Union was already planning to attack Japan which would be more of a reason to surrender to the two most powerful countries in the world.
it was necessary for America to shorten the war and demonstrating the bomb would have been more peaceful instead of us unexpectedly bombing Japan August 6th 1945 in Hiroshima killing 60,000-80,000 people and injury 1,000+
Dr.Oppenheimer stated that the visual effect of an atomic bombing would be tremendous. It would accompanied by a brilliant luminescence. A demonstration of this weapon/bomb on a island would make Japan realize the power that the U.S has and unconditionally surrender them ALONE
If Japan was to surrender because of the demonstration both american and Japanese lives would be saved. About 291,557 american soldiers died and over 2 million Japanese,both military civilians died. So by demonstrating could have saved time and millions of lives
US President Harry Truman also knew the powers of the devastating bomb that he would drop on thousands of innocent people, even many children. When he was told of the successful test of the atomic bomb - and then took the decision to use it with no warning - he wrote in his diary: "We have discovered the most terrible bomb in the history of the world." and he decided to use it on heavily populated cities knowing the civilian death toll would sky rocket.
I agree with Option 1: Make this a time for peace. Japan is defeated. Don't use the bomb. Japan was already weak, and to drop a bomb that, according to www.history.com, INSTANTLY killed 80,000 people was UNNECESSARY! Thousands and thousands INNOCENT people were killed. Also, according to wagingpeace.com, "The US Strategic Bombing Survey concluded that, even without the use of the atomic bombs, without the Soviet Union entering the war and without an Allied invasion of Japan, the war would have ended before December 31, 1945." BAM. There's the answer.
Bushido is a code that says never surrender only to protect your master(the emporer). Had they thought their Emporer was going to be kept safe they would have surrendered.
Honestly Bushido was never highly practiced."All soldiers were expected to adhere to it, although historically it had been the duty of higher ranked samurai and not common soldiers." With that in mind though I do agree that Japan was not willing to surrender because the common soldier did not have to follow this code.
like i said before. if we just let them "surrender" it is only a matter of time before they rebuild their army and begin more suprise attacks on the U.S.A
Japan agreed on letting go of their army and lending the U.S. their constitution so that we can own them and prevent them from ever rebuilding their diabolical army again.
Cesar, even if they were starting to give up, we had American troops there that were dying of starvation and some were often beaten (New Times Magizine)
So what happens if the just randomly decide to throw out their constitution like the cubans did? That can easily start another conflict between The U.S.A and japan.
But what if the japanese were already plannng ahead and had military lined up to attack back thats why option 3 was the best by bombing japnese scaring them for not having to come back with a fight attacking the U.S.
The Japanese weren't going to give up they were going to fight to the end. The Japanese had not given up their insane war by the time what makes you think that the atomic bomb shouldn't be use??
The Japanese weren't going to give up because their Emporer was threatened and we told them they had to surrender and give up their emporer. Had we allowed them to surrender and keep their Emporer they would have given up and the bomb would not have had to be used.
Without the bomb the Japanese would have surrendered with the promise of their Emporer staying safe. We dropped the bomb on them and then gave them what they wanted. We should have just given them what they wanted without use of the bomb. Did I clarify that or confuse you even more?
The Japanese did not show mercy towards America. this is show through the attack of Pearl Harbor, the Bataan Death March and the torture and execution of allied prisoners. We were at war and mercy is is not taken into consideration when you are protecting and strengthening your country.
I respectfully disagree with you because the war was still not over and OUR American troops were still being killed without any remorce from the Japanese.
America should demonstrate a bomb on a deserted island to show that the US is powerful. With the demonstration no one would get hurt because the explosion would only effect life two-thirds of a mile.
I agree with Amanda because by demonstrating the atomic bomb on a deserted island, because the United States will be able to show how much power the bomb really has and what could happen to the Japanese if they do not unconditionally surrender.
I agree, just like when it states, "... the atomic bomb will strengthen the moral leadership of the United States..." this shows that the United States would show its true leadership and power over Japan.
it took waaaay to long just to make one bomb.. why waist all that time and money just to "test it".. if we're going to drop it we need to get some results out of it.
and by dropping a dropping a bomb in a deserted island we can set a standard and and show our power the plenty of result it doesn't always need to be a number or figure it can also be sociological
there were two bombs and America was in the process of making a third one. By demonstrating one bomb it would bring results. It would put Japan in a position to surrender and if they wanted to continue to fight then Japan would look cruel. The other bomb still could be used if the battle were to continue.
Allies were said to have warned the Japanese government of a super weapon that the U.S was planing on using and Japan still refused to surrender. So using the atomic bomb when we did forced the Japanese to surrender rather then giving them a chance negotiate We did in fact warn Japan of our plans after the first bomb was dropped, the U.S distributed leaflets that said the following:
TO THE JAPANESE PEOPLE:
America asks that you take immediate heed of what we say on this leaflet.
We are in possession of the most destructive explosive ever devised by man. A single one of our newly developed atomic bombs is actually the equivalent in explosive power to what 2000 of our giant B-29s can carry on a single mission. This awful fact is one for you to ponder and we solemnly assure you it is grimly accurate.
You should take steps now to cease military resistance. Otherwise, we shall resolutely employ this bomb and all our other superior weapons to promptly and forcefully end the war.
EVACUATE YOUR CITIES.
ATTENTION JAPANESE PEOPLE. EVACUATE YOUR CITIES.
Because your military leaders have rejected the thirteen part surrender declaration, two momentous events have occurred in the last few days.
EVACUATE YOUR CITIES.
Source: Harry S. Truman Library, Miscellaneous historical document file, no. 258.
The bomb was devastating and was not human of us to put so many innocent people in terrible pain by dropping the bombs. Even the co-pilot of the Enola Gay said after dropping the bomb, "My god, what have we done". He saw what the bomb had done instantly and must have known it was a mistake.
Just because one person said they would do it again doesn't mean it wasn't a mistake. There were other options they could have prevented the loss of our soldiers and Japanese citizens.
A pro to option one is that American troops would have been pulled out of war sooner. The outcome of the bombing was what the Japanese had wanted. We gave the Japanese a treaty that said they could keep their Emporer. We could have saved thousands of lives had we just tried to make peace with them instead of bombing them.
if we just agree to their terms in a treaty they will not fear us they had already attacked us once at the same time they said wouldn't due to the fact they didn't fear us we don't have to bomb them to achieve the goal of fear but we must do something to show them the consequences of attacking us again
I agree with David because demonstrating the awesome power of the atomic bomb will be the most humanitarian way to force the Japanese to accept unconditional surrender
it may damage an environment but there is no civilization on that island either so it will strengthen our morals by other country's knowing that we used it responsibly
However, if we use a bomb to demonstrate, then we would have to build another just in case no one cares and wants war. And to make the bomb, it takes a long time to build one again so during that time, someone may have the chance to attack us.
We already had two bombs so if we demonstrate the bomb and japan doesn't take us serious we still have one more to drop witch could very well end the war as well
No war will be created, we will use the atomic bomb on a deserted island in the Pacific. As we all know, it is and was unnecessary to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Threatening them would only make us LOOK powerful and have control over them. They will surrender.
personally, I think the dropping of the two atomic bombs in Japan were unnecessary and even cowardish. Japanese knew the united States had a lot of power. therefore they wanted to come to an agreement with the United States of making peace.
The best option for the Untied States to take in order to end the War is to bomb Japan, because the United states had already suffered more then one million causalities and an invasion would result in thousands more U.S casualties.
Reports had wildly differing predictions on the number of casualties, some numbering up to a million, and some much much lower. Could we not have just starved them out?
Starving out the Japanese would take to long and it would be more difficult to do because the Japanese were already living in poverty on a diet of roughly 1000 calories a day. They were already used to discomfort and we had no intention to sit and wait on a time frame we weren't entirely sure of.
The war isnt over until its OVER. we suffered too many casualties to just let them off the hook that easily. its completely their fault if they started a war with a powerful counrtry and they werent ready for the consequences.
We already showed them how powerful we are, we dropped two bombs! let's be the bigger man and just end it! let them keep their emperor because they already know how power.
After the Japanese surrendered we did let them keep their Emperor, this is shown in the Japanese Constitution Article 1: The Emperor shall be the symbol of the State and of the unity of the People, deriving his position from the will of the people with whom resides sovereign power
Continuing with the war has nothing to do with winning or loosing we have tried to agree with Japan and they attacked us unknowingly so even if we are to end the war they will attack us while our backs are turned
The atomic bomb was used in defense. the defense that was not needed. the u.s had dropped the bomb on hirosima august 6th 1945 and august 9th 1945, and just tell japn they can keep thier emperor, which could have prevented the war and many deaths. from this, this would state that the autiomic bomb was unecessary and unjust.
But if we wouldn't have used the bomb, it would have killed a lot more people because war would have most likely kept going. it would either be bomb, or invasion. war had already killed 2 million people. the bombs only killed 100000.
japan had already surrendered to the u.s they wanted peace and to keep their emperor in the end we have killed millions of people and let japan keep thier emperor we had dropped the bomb for something that we could have ended before it started
Nothing indicates that they were going to surrender. they had no intentions of surrendering as "Millions of women, old men, and boys and girls had been trained to resist by such means as attacking with bamboo spears and strapping explosives to their bodies and throwing themselves under advancing tanks..."
Demonstrating the force of the atomic bomb will be most humanitarian way to force the Japanese to accept unconditional surrender without the slaughter of innocent civilians.
Being in this war wasn't our choice. "This hateful war was thrust upon us" pushing ahead to final victory will show that they brought us into this war but also showing that we will finish what they stated.
Atomic weapons were developed to counter the Threat of ANY enemy america has, not just the Nazi Germans. So if America felt that it was just to use it, they can do so on any of Americas enemy's
The thing is, we did not NEED to use it. Again, according to wagingpeace.com, "The US Strategic Bombing Survey concluded that, even without the use of the atomic bombs, without the Soviet Union entering the war and without an Allied invasion of Japan, the war would have ended before December 31, 1945" Yes, Japan may have been our enemies, but that does NOT make it just to drop an atomic bomb on them! The atomic bomb is BRUTAL.
Option 2 states "Demonstrating the awesome power of the atomic bomb will be the most humanitarian way to force the Japanese to accept unconditional surrender." This shows that the United States would be trying to force the Japanese into surrendering by threatening them, for the reason that they probably wouldn't want to have the process of having peace and respect with the United States. The demonstration of the atomic bomb would show how much damage could be caused in Japan if they do not have a unconditional surrender.
The US should display their power in order to prove that japan will be defeated and have no chance of winning a war against the us. by proving power and dominice the united states will take charge for the new era.
My Argument is option 3. This hateful war was thrust upon us in a very hateful matter. when the japanese bombed pearl harbor, they had no sympathy for our innocent women and children.. they killed over 100,000 american solidiers.. where was the moral ethics then? this is a war, we need to do anything nessacary to end this brutal war as quick and with the lowest amount of casualties as possible.
Even if Japan were to attack the US little damage would have been done compared to what we have done to them. Japan didn't have any nuclear weapons or weapons close to ours.
if you know that you cant possibly compete with the U.S.A then why would you thrust a hateful war upon us. rather their attack did little damage or alot if you start something with us, you better be ready to finish it!!!!!!!!!
EXACTLY! You even admitted to Japan not having a CHANCE against the U.S., so why kill thousands of innocent people that might not even agree with their government.
I support you Mr. President, if Japan are our "allies" because we bombed them then this could easily be hidden deep down that they are saving up to finally bomb us or give money to separate countries so they can bomb us.
Japan was ready to surrender and had started talks with Russia trying to get help to make peace with America. Japan was ready to talk with the U.S. about surrendering.
i definitely agree,Japan unexpectedly dropped the bomb on us and if we drop the atomic bomb with out warning, most likely Japan cities will surrender and war will come to end.
The United States should take responsibility for a new era. The United states should demonstrate the power of the atomic bomb to the world by staging an explosion on a deserted island in the pacific. Japanese must see with their own eyes and surrender with out having a war.
Option 1 would be best since it would have easily cleared all obstacle for Japan's surrender. As a matter of act, they would have surrendered much earlier; as early as June 1945.
Japan had already been meeting up with the Soviet Union on the topic, and based on the United States Strategic Bombing, "Japan would have surrendered even if the atomic bomb had not been dropped, even if Russia had not entered the was, and even if no invasion had been planned or contemplated." Japan is completely vulnerable, and our powers had already destroyed them; they were already prepared to surrender.
Although they were prepared to surrender it seems like they wanted to surrender under their terms by keeping their emperor. The U.S has no intention to negotiate with the people that brought us into this war to begin with.
My argument is option number three. This option supports the atomic bomb being used against the Japanese in 1945 to end the war against the "Japs". These people who were slaughtering Americans must be put to a stop. Therefore we had to put them to a stop at any cause nessesary.
At this point in the war the United States had already destroyed more than 60 of Japan's most important cities, their home islands were being blocked by the U.S. Navy, and they were being attacked by the Soviet Union in China. The Japanese were most vulnerable at the time, and did not have the ability to rebuild their army.
The u.s has already spent billions on developing the atomic bomb,now President Truman has the moral responsibility to use what ever means at his disposal to save american lives.
President Truman was not prepared to face the decisions of being president. He showed lack of leadership by using the bomb; after using the first atomic bomb he states: "the thought of wiping out another 100,000 people was too horrible." Meaning that, the use of the atomic bomb was both unnecessary and unjust.
A demonstration of the atomic bomb will strengthen the moral leadership of the United States in the postwar world and set an international standard for the use of atomic bomb
My option choice is number 2 because I believe before violence is needed, we should demonstrate the power of the atomic bomb to warn the enemy that what they're doing is not right and they will be punished if they don't correct themselves.
by demonstrating the bomb this could save both american and Japanese soldiers because the demonstration would put Japan in a position to surrender and if they don't Then Japan would look evil because of there lack of moral for attacking Pearl Harbor and continuing the war were thousands of soldiers died
Gaining nothing less than the unconditional surrender of Japan while avoiding the slaughter of innocent civilians is the best tribute to the great sacrifice that the American people have made to defeat fascism and militarism.
With pushing ahead we can solve the problems between all, "President Truman has a moral responsibility to do what ever is necessary to save and protect American lives. Final Victory, either being japan surrenders or United States demonstrates full action and demolishes Japan ending the war then and there.
Our closest allies, British, Have approved for the u.s to use the atomic bombs against japan. If the bomb was drooped then Japan cities are most likely to realize the war is over and if they drop another bomb on us then we will most likely deal with whole situation again!
Dropping the Atomic bomb not only would kill thousands of people on impact but it would also kill lots of people over time. The radiation from the bomb dropping will affect the enviornment for years to come.
it was simply an extension of the already fierce conventional air raids on Japan[3] and, therefore, militarily unnecessary,[4] inherently immoral, a war crime, or a form of state terrorism.[5] At least one historian (Tsuyoshi Hasegawa) states that the Soviet declaration of war on Japan had more of an effect than the two nuclear bombings.
The bomb ended the war and Japan hasn't made any kind of move since.. the bomb got them to not only surrender but leave the Japan leaders to realize if they keep the war going more of their people will be killed.
The United states has paid too high of a price to accept anything less than Japans unconditional surrender. With the demonstration of the bomb their surrender can be ensured
option #3 is the best option because it will help America and all kinds of ways. It would help us bring back troops and it will also help us big time economically.
Option 3 is immorally wrong. The atomic bomb is BRUTAL. It instantly killed 80,000 people. 80,000. Again, The US Strategic Bombing Survey concluded that, even without the use of the atomic bombs, without the Soviet Union entering the war and without an Allied invasion of Japan, the war would have ended before December 31, 1945. The atomic bomb was not needed! They were already going to surrender regardless, so why go and drop an atomic bomb and destroy 90% of their city which we would have to go in and help rebuild.
Adding on to elesa, The atomic bombs were unnecessary because regular bombs could do the same damage without the long term affect. but this amount of damage was really unnecessary because Acording to the article Pearl Harbor Facts, "A total of 2,335 U.S. servicemen were killed and 1,143 were wounded. Sixty-eight civilians were also killed and 35 were wounded"
We killed 80,000 Of their people according to you. This means the ratio is uneven. We killed 80 times more then Japanese. meaning it is unjust.
The atomic bomb forced Japan to surrender August 10th 1945, that is that over 4 months before the predicted date of December 31, 1945. Most everyone's forces were exhausted by that point and a quick end to the war would ensure the safety of U.S soldiers.
100,000 innocent people were killed. According to AtomicBombMuesem.com,
"Injury Phases
First two weeks: mainly burns from rays and flames, and wounds (trauma) from blast and falling structures.
3rd week through 8th week: symptoms of damages by radioactive rays, e.g., loss of hair, anemia, loss of white cells, bleeding, diarrhea. Approximately 10% of cases in this group were fatal.
3rd and 4th months: “some improvement” in burn, trauma, and even radiation
injuries. But then came “secondary injuries” of disfiguration, severe scar formations (keloids), blood abnormalities, sterility (both sexes), and psychosomatic disorders.
Even now, after over half a century later, many aftereffects remain: leukemia,
A-bomb cataracts, and cancers of thyroid, breast, lungs, salivary glands, birth defects, including mental retardation, and fears of birth defects in their children, plus, of course, the disfiguring keloid scars"
Waiting four months could have prevented all of these saddening effects. People are still effected by the atomic bomb TODAY!! It was illogical, ignorant, SELFISH and unnecessary to cause all of this.
Exactly by this it was really showing that we were really powerful anf that nobody would want to mess with the U.S knowing that we can whipeout their whole military and really country.
Just because they say that they were going to surrender, you cant assume they would. Why trust our enemies? this is why we put them in internment camps, because they are sneaky and ruthless. they go by the Bushido code so they would have kept fighting. its really smart for a political leader to say that they would surrender to make us look bad.
We didn't put our enemies into internment camps. We put citizens of the United States in internment camps. We sent our own people, forced them out of their homes. They were not the ruthless enemy you're talking about.
We weren't ruthless. We simply did what we had to do. And when you look at it, it helped Japan a lot too because "The end of the war also liberated millions of laborers working in harsh conditions under a forced mobilization."
I agree with you because it will save troops and end the war but in the other hand by demonstrating the power of the atomic bomb in a deserted island in the Pacific it will save troops and even end the war by the Japanese surrounding.
