The Debate of the Atomic Bomb

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the perspectives of both those who believe the US decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan was the correct decision and those who believe it was not. The paper first explains the perspective of supporters of this act in Japan who argue that use of the atomic bomb hastened the end of World War Two in Asia, which saved countless military and civilian lives. The paper then examines the perspective of others who argue that if any country other than the U.S. had dropped an atomic bomb, the American government would have accused these people of war crimes. The paper also considers the argument that the bombs' destructive force could have been demonstrated without taking so many Japanese civilian lives. The writer offers a personal opinion that this was a cowardly attack, as it wiped out entire cities of people who did not have anything to do with the war. The writer concludes that the atomic bomb may have ended the war earlier than expected, but it also introduced the world to one of the most horrific methods of warfare, which is something that can never be taken back.

From the Paper:

"The use of atomic bombs during World War Two is one of the most debated topics in history. These types of weapons had never been used before and they were seen as being particularly brutal. When the United States decided to bomb Japan in retaliation for the attacks on Pearl Harbor, the face of warfare was changed forever. With this new method, a single bomb could wipe out an entire city, killing all of the inhabitants at once. Furthermore, those who survived the initial blast would often wish that they did not, as radiation from the bomb caused cancer in many people, killing them in the years following the war. Since this time, many different countries have successfully developed their own versions of this weapon of mass destruction, which has led to many problems all over the globe."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Alperovitz, Gar. The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb. New York: Vintage Books. 1995.
• Eisenhower, Dwight D. Mandate For Change, 1953-1956: The White House Years. New York: Doubleday.1963.

More papers on The Debate of the Atomic Bomb:

• Research Paper # 4888 : "The Manhattan Project: The Building of the Atomic Bomb"
• Essay # 24235 : "U.S. Use of the Atom Bomb"
• Essay # 57280 : "Dropping the Atomic Bomb"

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