Limitations of Using Nuclear Weapons Initially by the U.S. Discussed
In the final stages of World War II, the decision to use atomic weapons against Japan was a controversial one, but many historians and moral theologians argue it was a justified move. The Japanese military's refusal to surrender, the potential enormous casualties from a planned invasion of Japan, and the documented cruel treatment of Allied prisoners of war (POWs) were key factors in this justification.
President Truman and his advisors believed that using atomic bombs would save lives by ending the war swiftly and avoiding an invasion that was estimated to cause up to 1 million casualties among Allied forces and Japanese defenders[1]. Japan, despite heavy losses and retreating forces, showed no indication of capitulating before the atomic bombings[1].
The Japanese military’s harsh treatment of prisoners added urgency to ending the conflict quickly and decisively. A naval blockade and starvation strategy were projected to cause severe civilian suffering. Likewise, a demonstration drop of the bomb was dismissed partly due to having only two bombs available and skepticism about its psychological effect and technical uncertainty[1][3].
The bombing aimed to target military-industrial infrastructure rather than indiscriminate vengeance, with Truman expressing concern for Japanese civilians[1]. However, opposing views argue that the bombings were unnecessary once Japan’s defeat was imminent and raise ethical questions about civilian casualties and nuclear weapons use[3]. Public opinion remains divided even decades later, with about a third of Americans still unsure or viewing the bombings as unjustified[4].
It's important to note that, during this period, Japanese citizens were radicalized by the government to kill American invaders by any means. The immediate number of Japanese casualties due to nuclear weapons was approximately 200,000[1]. The Japanese Army was training all citizens to fight to the death for the emperor in 1945[1].
References:
[1] National Museum of Nuclear Science & History. (n.d.). The Decision to Drop the Bomb. Retrieved from https://www.nuclearmuseum.org/education/resources/the-decision-to-drop-the-bomb/
[2] The History Place. (n.d.). World War II Timeline: August 1945. Retrieved from https://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/ww2/timeline/1945.html
[3] Hiroshima and Nagasaki. (n.d.). The Ethics of the Bomb. Retrieved from https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/hiroshima-nagasaki-ethics/
[4] Pew Research Center. (2018, August 28). Public Opinion on the Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/08/28/public-opinion-on-the-bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki/
Politics surrounding the use of atomic bombs in World War II highlighted the complexities of war-and-conflicts decision-making. General-news outlets continue to debate whether the bombings were necessary, given Japan's eventual defeat and the resulting civilian casualties, reflecting ongoing disagreement among historians and the public.
