U.S. Vs. Japan In WWII Essay, Research Paper
On August 6, 1945 the atomic bomb was dropped on the
Japanese city of Hiroshima. The Enola Gay, piloted by
Colonel Tibbetts, was chosen to make the mission. The
mission was recorded as successful by Capt. William S.
Parson at 9:20 A.M. This was an extremely controversial
military strategy in the United States. Was the United
States justified in the dropping of the atomic bomb? Yes,
they were justified formany reasons. The primary reason was,
that it would stop the war. Why is it that this war needed
to be stopped so badly? Even though in some ways it was
helping our economy, it was very costly in both money and
lives. Also, the United States soldiers were undergoing
harsh treatment by the unmerciful Japanese. Another reason
the war needed to be stopped was to defend ourselves from
another attack on U.S. soil, which in turn would kill many
of our U.S. citizens. This is why the war needed to be
stopped; thus, justifying the use of the atomic bomb.
World War II was the costliest war in history, in
terms of lives lost. No exact figures exist, but
approximately between 15 and 20 million military personnel
were killed. Of these, 292,000 were Americans and 6,000
innocent United States citizens were murdered by our
enemies. It has been estimated that if the United States had
not dropped the bomb and had invaded Japan instead, the
United States would have lost about a million soldiers. The
Japanese suicidal fighting strategies greatly effected this
number. The Japanese would rather die than surrender. This
is demonstrated by the battle of Saipan. At this battle over
half of the population of Saipan walked off a cliff instead
of surrendering to the United States. This was often very
effective. Many times when a Japanese soldier decided to
blow himself up instead of surrendering he would kill many
Americans with the same blast. Also the kamikaze techniques
of the Japanese fighters killed many soldiers. If this war
would have continued we could have lost thousands more.
Also up to this point we spent 300 billion dollars on war
efforts. Many materials and other objects were damaged. Any
estimate on how much money was lost in damages would be
futile. This number would have continued to rise if it had
not been for the use of the atomic bomb.
The horrendous atrocities that occurred during World
War II were unmerciful as well as unnecessary. During one
invasion of China, the rape of Nanking, the Japanese killed
100,000 Chinese civilians. They were burned, butchered, and
raped. Sometimes the Japanese would tie a big group of them
together and use them for bayonet and sword practice. After
the fall of Bataan the soldiers were forced to go on a
death march. During this march many unheard of things
happened to the soldiers. A soldier was often killed for
tryi
Japanese would either bayonet them or knock them
unconscious. Once they were knocked unconscious, the
Japanese then forced another American soldier to bury the
unconscious soldier alive. One soldier once commented, “The
worst time was once when a burial victim with about six
inches of earth over him suddenly regained consciousness and
clawed his way out until he was almost sitting upright. Then
I learned to what length a man will go to hang onto his
life. The bayonets began to prod me in the side and I was
forced to bash the soldier over the head with the shovel and
then finish burying him.”(Kappler, Pg. 168) This harsh
treatment to innocent civilians and our soldiers
needed to stop. The atomic bomb was a way to stop it.
On December 7, 1941,” A day that will live in
infamy,” Pearl Harbor was deliberately attacked by the
Japanese. Reports indicate that 2400 people were killed and
1300 were wounded. The reason Japan bombed Pearl Harbor was
because that was where all of our Navy ships were
positioned. They were hoping to take out the Navy and were
almost successful. The aircraft carriers were expected to be
in the harbor, but luckily were not. Although the attack may
have been a military success in the minds of the Japanese it
became a huge mistake in the final analysis. One reason it
was a mistake was it caused the U.S. to enter the war. We
were the ultimate cause to Japan losing the war. Secondly it
made the Americans angry and determined to destroy the
Japanese. Many congressmen volunteered for active duty,
asking for a one day respite to cast their vote for war.
Also recruiting offices were flooded with young patriots who
wanted to help there country out. This attack was just an
example of what could have happened if the war had
continued. If the war had continued another attack on U.S.
soil could have taken place. This could have turned the
6,000 dead American civilians into 9,000 dead civilians.
That number could have kept rising until the war was over.
That is another reason the bomb needed to be dropped to stop
the war.
The war was a horrible thing. It killed millions and
destroyed the lives of millions more. It lasted six years
and could have lasted longer; with death and destruction
increasing every year. Ending such a horrible thing should
be reason enough to drop the atomic bomb. The cruelty of the
Japanese at such places as Bataan and Nanking was horrible
and needed to be stopped. Although the atomic bomb caused
much death devastation it indirectly saved lives. America
made their power known by frightening other European
powers. This bombing has serviced to prohibit future attacks
on American soil. The atomic bomb was the best solution. The
atomic bomb may have killed thousands, but it saved
millions.
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