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Did the reasoning behind the use of atomic bombs in World War II hold merit?

Updated: Nov 20, 2023

By Marcus Law - Hong Kong


Hiroshima and Nagasaki

This question pertains to the historical events of World War II, specifically the use of atomic bombs by the United States against Japan. In August 1945, the U.S dropped nuclear bombs, called ‘Little Boy’ and ‘Fat Man’, on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, resulting in around 66,000 and 39,000 deaths, respectively(“The Atomic Bombings of

Hiroshima and Nagasaki”). Picture 1 showcases the gruesome casualties that the Japanese population suffered following the bombings. These bombings resulted in colossal destruction and the loss of life, becoming an issue of debate and scrutiny.

The use of atomic bombs involved the military landscape of World War II; at the time, Japan had not yet surrendered, and the conflict in the Pacific theatre was ongoing. The U.S, following the surrender of Germany, had sought to find a swift end to the war and avoid a land invasion of Japan due to the large number of expected casualties. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were intended to showcase the destructive power of atomic weapons and coerce Japan to surrender.


The End of the War

Historians argue that the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki played a crucial role in forcing Japan’s surrender. Japan had not surrendered at that time despite facing significant military losses in the Pacific, including major territories such as New Guinea and the Philippines. The use of atomic bombs showcased an unparalleled level of destructive power, leaving Japan with a clear message that further resistance in the war would only result in more destruction and loss of life. The psychological effect of the bombings that led to the loss of civilian lives and the destruction of entire cities urged Japan to forge a sense of urgency to seek a resolution for the war. This began a sense of dread among the Japanese leadership, fearing complete annihilation if they persisted with the war. With the military facing defeats, they realised that further military action would lead to more casualties and destruction. The canon effect of the bombings pressured the Japanese leadership, Emperor Hirohito and the Supreme Council for the Direction of the War to decide to surrender. In the early hours of August 15th, 1945, Emperor Hirohito, on a historic radio broadcast to the entire of Japan, shown in Picture 2, better known as the ‘Jewel Voice Broadcast’, announced the surrender of Japan to the Allied forces, citing the impact of the bombings and the necessity to end the war to prevent further suffering(“Japan Surrenders, Bringing an End to WWII”).



Potential lives saved

One of the leading arguments justifying the use of atomic bombs was the belief that it would save lives in the long run. The land invasion of Japan was speculated to be a costly endeavour in terms of human lives for both sides. The Japanese military and civilian population were heavily mobilised, with the preparation to defend their homeland heartily. The culture of Japan was ingrained with concepts such as honour, loyalty and a strong sense of national identity. Historically, Japanese culture involved a lot of patriotism and nationalism; the idea of ‘kokutai’, meaning national identity, taught the Japanese to prioritise the well-being and honour of their nation before themselves(“Kokutai | Encyclopedia.com”). They also believed in ‘chūgi’, loyalty towards the emperor, the population’s symbol and embodiment of Japan. The Japanese people were expected to sacrifice their lives for the emperor and nation. This mindset of fighting to the death rather than surrendering posed a considerable challenge to the U.S. if they were to invade Japan, with high rates of casualties. Some projections suggested the casualty number to be in the hundreds of thousands, if not the millions. By utilising atomic bombs, losses for the U.S and Japanese military, as well as Japanese civilians, were significantly cut down. By bringing about a quick surrender, the U.S prevented a full-scale land invasion of Japan, thereby reducing overall casualties.


Failed Alternative - Diplomacy

Diplomacy could have been an alternative to resolving the conflict without resorting to the use of atomic bombs. At the time of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, World War II had been ongoing for six years, whereby the conflict had reached a critical stage. The U.S had been engaged in a long and costly war against the Japanese in the Pacific.


In the lead-up to the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, diplomatic efforts were made to try to end the war, but these attempts had not laid to fruition. In July 1945, the United States, Great Britain and China called for Japan’s unconditional surrender. The declaration also outlined the conditions for Japan’s post-war governance. It emphasised the threat of ‘prompt and utter destruction’ if Japan did not surrender(“Potsdam Declaration | Definition, Terms, & Facts | Britannica”).


While diplomatic channels were open, negotiations did not reach a breakthrough before the bombings. The decision to use atomic bombs was driven by the desire to end the war swiftly and demonstrate the destructive power of the new weapon to compel Japan’s surrender.


In hindsight, historians argue that further diplomatic efforts could have been possibly pursued, seeking alternative terms of surrender or settlement that could have spared the devastation caused towards innocent people. However, the complexities of the geopolitical situation and the military mindset of the U.S at that time influenced the decision to proceed with the bombings.


Condemnation

After the bombings and World War II, the U.S. received massive ethical condemnations regarding the loss of civilian lives in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The deliberate focus on densely populated urban areas for nuclear bombings raised questions about the morality of inflicting seismic suffering on the innocent, including women, children, and the elderly. Critics argue that the principle of distinction, which calls for the separation of combatants and non-combatants, was violated in the bombings. The loss of civilian lives raised humanitarian concerns and questions about the proportionality of the bombings. Critics suggest that the immense destructive power of nuclear bombs was disproportionate to the military objectives of the U.S that they sought to achieve. Dragging the lives of innocent people, who had nothing to do with the war, did not align with the potential military gains that caused the large-scale loss of civilian lives.


Long-term consequences

In the words of the American author Ray Bradbury, ‘After Hiroshima was bombed, I saw a photograph of the side of a house with the shadows of the people who had lived there burned into the wall from the intensity of the bomb. The people were gone, but their shadows remained.’ The use of atomic bombs caused immediate deaths and casualties, but it also had long-term effects on the survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. High nuclear exposure leads to severe injuries, radiation sicknesses, and increased risks of cancer and birth defects. This was common with the survivors of the bombings, and within two to three weeks of the bombings, another 6,000 deaths were inflicted on the civilians due to radiation exposure(Atkins). The physical and psychological consequences on the survivors due to the bombings - better known as Hibakusha - led to immense harm towards the innocent survivors; other than the long-term physical consequences, the Hibakusha also dealt with psychological and societal issues. Many survivors endured traumatic experiences, including losing family members and witnessing the devastation caused by the bombing. Experiencing the bombings had acute effects on their mental well-being and health. In Japanese society, the Hibakusha faced considerable societal stigmatisation and discrimination. Many experienced ostracism due to the fear of nuclear exposure; this was reflected in the lack of access to employment, marriage, and social integration.



Moreover, apart from affecting innocent civilians and survivors, the nuclear bombs caused significant environmental damage, including the destruction of infrastructure, buildings and ecosystems surrounding Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The release of residual atomic radiation led to contamination of the air, water sources and vegetation around affected areas, creating hazardous conditions for human and non-human life. The contamination with radioactive isotopes posed health risks to affected communities. A prominent example was the consumption of contaminated water and food, which increased the likelihood of radiation-related illnesses and impacted the quality of life in affected areas for decades. The environmental effects of radioactive contamination hugely affected the economic situation of agricultural and fishing industries within affected areas, impacting the livelihoods of farmers and fishermen and posing food security problems. Picture 3 accentuates the extensive damage of the nuclear bomb on Hiroshima, wiping out any existing ecosystem or infrastructure that stood before. The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki not only caused immediate death but created tough lives for survivors and their descendants, as buildings and ecosystems had to be rebuilt. With the nuclear contamination, it took decades of effort to rebuild these cities to their former glory, with radiation still being prominent to this day.


Yoshito Matsushige’s Account

Yoshito Matsushige was a Hiroshima survivor and the only photographer who was able to capture a first-hand historical account of the atomic bombing. Matsushige was 32 years old on August 6th, 1945, when ‘Little Boy’ was dropped on Hiroshima. His home was 1.7 miles away from ground zero, barely outside the 1.5-mile radius of destruction. Miraculously, Matsushige was not seriously injured by the explosion. With a camera and two rolls of film, he tried to photograph the immediate aftereffects of the bombings.


Matsushige explained, ‘Most of the victims who had gathered there were junior high school girls from the Hiroshima Girls Business School and the Hiroshima Junior High School No.1. They had been mobilised to evacuate buildings and were outside when the bomb fell. Having been directly exposed to the heat rays, they were covered with blisters, the size of balls, on their backs, their faces, their shoulders and their arms. The blisters were starting to burst open and their skin hung down like rugs. Some of the children even have burns on the soles of their feet. They’d lost their shoes and run barefoot through the burning fire.’(“Yoshito Matsushige’s Account of the Hiroshima Bombing - Nuclear Museum”)


Matsushige’s first hand account vividly captures the unimaginable horrors experienced by the victims of the Hiroshima bombing. His words serve as a reminder of the human suffering that occurred on that fateful day. The image of young schoolgirls, their bodies covered in painful blisters and burns, running barefoot through the wreckage evokes a profound sense of tragedy.


Matsushige’s testimony stands as a poignant testament to the devastating consequences of war and the impact it can have on innocent lives. It serves as a call to reflect on the human cost of armed conflicts and the need for peace.


Justified?

To conclude, the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki raise profound ethical concerns and accentuate the complex and multifaceted nature of the usage of atomic bombs. Arguments in support of the bombings emphasise how they supported the goal of swiftly ending the war, preventing further casualties on both sides, and potentially saving lives in the long run. On the other hand, opposing arguments draw attention to the suffering imposed on the innocent non-combatants, the ignorance of the U.S on the principle of distinction, long-term health effects on survivors and the extensive environmental damage caused by the bombings. There will not be a rock-solid conclusion on the bombings, as there are comprehensive and persuasive arguments on whether it can be justified or not, and the debate will continue to induce profound discussion on the ethical complexities of using atomic bombs in warfare.


It is crucial to acknowledge and learn from the consequences caused by the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The arguments surrounding the bombings provide an opportunity for everyone to reflect on the moral and ethical implications of warfare, the importance of protecting innocent lives, and the long-term effects of devastating weapons, such as atomic bombs. Hiroshima and Nagasaki serve as a reminder to work as a world free from nuclear weapons, where pursuing peace and the preservation of human life are of most significant importance.



Bibliography

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Atkins, H. (2018). What Were the Long Term Effects of the Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki? [online] History Hit. Available at: https://www.historyhit.com/what-were-the-long-term-effects-of-the-bombings-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki/ [Accessed 12 Nov. 2023].

Columbia.edu. (2020). Hiroshima and Nagasaki: The Long Term Health Effects | K=1 Project. [online] Available at: https://k1project.columbia.edu/news/hiroshima-and-nagasaki [Accessed 12 Nov. 2023].

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HISTORY. (2010). Japan surrenders, bringing an end to WWII. [online] Available at: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/japan-surrenders [Accessed 12 Nov. 2023].

Nuclear Museum. (2022). Yoshito Matsushige’s Account of the Hiroshima Bombing - Nuclear Museum. [online] Available at: https://ahf.nuclearmuseum.org/ahf/key-documents/yoshito-matsushiges-account-hiroshima-bombing/#:~:text=There%20was%20a%20flash%20from,after%20that%2C%20the%20blast%20came. [Accessed 15 Nov. 2023].

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