Essay Sample on Decision to Drop the Atomic Bomb

World War II was the most deadly and horrific war, in which it raged on for six years, amassing many casualties. After the Battle of Midway in 1942, the war changed directions. Germany was defeated, and Japan . America did not want to invade Japan instead they dropped nuclear bombs starting the nuclear age of war. With all the destruction and devastation in Japan, one has to wonder if dropping the bombs was the right decision? Dropping the atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki was not the most humane method in ending World War II. 

The effects of the bomb lasted longer than just the explosion. Even after the blast had dissipated there were still casualties being reported due to radiation poisoning and excruciating burns caused by the blasts. The bombs were not very humane leaving survivors in excruciating pain and more often than not they passed from their wounds. Another big problem with the bomb was nobody knew about the radiation posioning, The cheif medicle officer on the nuclear project and General Leslie Groves Both downplayed the effects of the radiation and told one senetor that there was no pain from radiation and it was a very peacfull way to die. Even After 70 years the effects of the bomb were still seen in the generations after the survivors. The kids of the survivors were more at risk for health defects and mental disability.studies, such as one led by E. Nakashima in 1994, showed that exposure led to increases in small head size and mental disability, as well as impairment in physical growth. Not only did the bomb have effects on japan, Moreover critics have charged that Truman's decision was a barbaric act that brought negative long-term consequences to the United States. A new age of nuclear terror led to a dangerous arms race.

The bombs destructive power was unimaginable, Though weighing only 9,000 pounds, the little Boy atomic bomb produced an explosive yield equal to about 25 million pounds of dynamite, Truman and his cabinet were ready to drop little boys on japan.“We are now prepared to obliterate more rapidly and completely every productive enterprise the Japanese have above ground in any city. We shall destroy their docks, their factories, and their communications. Let there be no mistake; we shall completely destroy Japan’s power to make war.” They didn't just want to make Japan surrender Truman wanted to bring to whole country down and cripple all the business and economy of Japan. Which is an unmoral use of the bomb it wasnt just about war anymore they wanted to destroy japan. The bomb also completly ruined the city an official assesment would later establish that 98 percent of the city homes were destroyed by the blast and fires unleashed by little boy. The city was smashed to pieces and eye witness accounts remember that the only thing left standing were concrete buildings, everything else they had was gone, innocent peoples homes and belongings incinerated along with their family. 

The bombs effects were made worse by the loss of medical supplies and facilities. The bombs destroyed so many buildings and medical equipment that even those who survived the blast were likely to die due to lack of treatment. The severely wounded had almost no chance of survival and there were not enough doctors to help everyone. Due to the radiation and harsh conditions no doctors could enter the city to help the people affected by the blast leaving them stranded with no help. There were many dead and tons wounded. “Scientists estimate that 9 of every 10 people who were outside at the moment of the explosion died.” The bombs sheer power left japan in shambles.

Where there is power there is corruption and many analyst’s and military officials believed there were ulterior motives for the bomb drop. There is a lot of debate over wether or not the bomb was the best course of action to end the war. The bomb was not only seen as a weapon of war but also for political gain. “The bomb could "destroy the whole world," conceded Jimmy Byrnes... He recognized the diplomatic potential of the weapon for blackmail.`` Truman also said “It would be handy if the United States wanted to throw its weight around. Truman remembered his saying "It might well put us in a position to dictate our own terms at the end of the war."” The U.S wanted to come out of this war as a global superpower they wanted to demonstrate their power and many believe that dropping the bomb was motivated by the presidents desire to intimidate the Soviet Union. The bomb wasnt dropped for military purposes only like Truman said. The bomb was a bargaining device they wanted to use it to gain power and be feared by the Soviets.

After the devestation of these atomic bombs laws were made in the geneva conventions that make their use outlawed by international law. “the Geneva Conventions, established the standards of international humanitarian law (IHL). Under Additional Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions, the nuclear bombing of Japan would have violated IHL.8 In fact, using nuclear weapons in any situation would likely violate international law. Due to their potential for utter destruction, nuclear weapons should not exist in our current world and should not be used in any circumstance” There is no reason for nuclear warfare. The destruction and long term suffering caused by such weapons is inhumane and there is no need for one country to have such weapons of mass destruction. The Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), only calls on nuclear-weapon states to disarm themselves of their nuclear weapon stockpiles.9 However, the NPT language is too lax and does not provide a specific time frame for nuclear disarmament.10 Throughout the late twentieth and early twenty first century, the United States, along with other nuclear-weapon states that are party to the NPT, have ignored select provisions and continued to own their stockpile of nuclear weapons for different strategic policies, primarily deterrence. Therefore, the NPT should be amended to impose a stricter ultimatum on nuclear-weapon states: disarm within a certain period of time, or else face dire penalties. After the war laws were made for nuclear weapons but they need to be stronger. There is too much leeway for countries to make and store nuclear weapons.

The decision to drop the bomb was not the only course of action“dropping the bomb would end the war quickly and effectively, with the least amount of casualties on the U.S. side. He believed that ending the war swiftly this way would also save a lot of Japanese lives. As even the scientists had no idea what horrible effects radiation sickness could cause, in Truman’s eyes there wasn’t much of a difference between dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki or fire bombs on Tokyo or Dresden.” There is lots of debate wether dropping the bombs actully saved lives or if it caused more pain and suffering.“