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    The 1945 Atomic Bomb

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    ryanheap94
    The 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki remain controversial. While some argue the bombings were militarily necessary to end the war and avoid prolonged fighting, others believe they violated ethical standards by targeting civilians. Alternative options were considered but rejected. The bombings also had long-term consequences by contributing to the nuclear arms race and setting a precedent for nuclear weapons use. Considering both perspectives, as well as the historical context and pressures of the time, reveals the complexities of this debated decision.

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    The 1945 Atomic Bomb

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    ryanheap94
    17 views5 pages
    The 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki remain controversial. While some argue the bombings were militarily necessary to end the war and avoid prolonged fighting, others believe they violated ethical standards by targeting civilians. Alternative options were considered but rejected. The bombings also had long-term consequences by contributing to the nuclear arms race and setting a precedent for nuclear weapons use. Considering both perspectives, as well as the historical context and pressures of the time, reveals the complexities of this debated decision.

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    The 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki remain controversial. While some argue the bombings were militarily necessary to end the war and avoid prolonged fighting, others believe they violated ethical standards by targeting civilians. Alternative options were considered but rejected. The bombings also had long-term consequences by contributing to the nuclear arms race and setting a precedent for nuclear weapons use. Considering both perspectives, as well as the historical context and pressures of the time, reveals the complexities of this debated decision.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    17 views5 pages

    The 1945 Atomic Bomb

    Uploaded by

    ryanheap94
    The 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki remain controversial. While some argue the bombings were militarily necessary to end the war and avoid prolonged fighting, others believe they violated ethical standards by targeting civilians. Alternative options were considered but rejected. The bombings also had long-term consequences by contributing to the nuclear arms race and setting a precedent for nuclear weapons use. Considering both perspectives, as well as the historical context and pressures of the time, reveals the complexities of this debated decision.

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    of 5

    Heap 1

    Ryan Heap
    CHY4C1-01
    Vander-Heyden, Sandi
    19 January 2024

    The 1945 Atomic Bomb: A Justified Controversy

    The signature mushroom cloud materializing over Hiroshima on the sixth of August,

    1945 is an iconic image of a moment in history as well as being a stark reminder of the

    enormous ethical questions which posit themselves on either side of atomic weaponry. The

    bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the waning days of World War II continue being

    under an intense debate as time goes by. This essay will explore the multi-faceted reasons

    justifying the 1945 atomic bomb considering military necessity, ethical considerations,

    alternative options, long-term consequences, and historical context that shaped this

    controversial decision.

    Military Necessity & Ethical Consideration

    This one major reason that justified advance 1945 atomic bombings was based on

    military necessity.The supporters argued that it became necessary to avert a protracted

    ground assault against Japan through deployment of atomic bombs, establishing

    shockingly high casualty figures for the military and civilian population. The

    estimated casualty projections furthered the belief that the bombings could as well

    fasten Japan's surrender and avoid loss of lives on either side. However, as soon as the

    bombings happened, many ethical dilemmas arose and among them were moral
    Heap 2

    concerns that targeted civilian populations and doctrine of proportionality among

    other issues. The critics had claimed that the bombings would breach the principle of

    distinction between the combatants and noncombatants causing great moral questions

    as for the grounds that such extreme measures can be deployed. The necessity, which

    drove the war while military in nature, brought in the need for scrutiny since issues of

    ethics concerning loss of civilian lives and violation of principles already set forth had

    echoed the need. War has created a contention between the perceived necessity and

    that of the ethics that drew complex grounds for the debate

    . Alternative Options & Psychological Impact

    A scrutiny of the alternative options brings forth a critical view about justification to the

    atomic bombings.Proposals like naval blockade or giving show of strength of atomic

    bomb on an unpopulated zone were thought but rejected. This therefore begs the

    question as to whether these alternatives would have been feasible and could have

    abated such drastic consequences in terms of civilian lives and in respect of

    longitudinal repercussions from nuclear weapons. Another aspect in the justification

    debate is the psychological impact of the bombings on Japan 's leadership and civilian

    population. In this regard, the proponents argue that despite their human dignity

    contentions, the psychological shock was inevitable towards bringing a quick end to

    the war and to cease further loss of lives. Another level to the argument is evaluation

    of the ethical considerations of this psychological strategy. Another dimension is other

    options and weight coupled with a psychological impact. Were there other viable ways

    with which to deliver the same end without utter destruction as seen? The

    psychological strategy in adherence to ethical standards or fueling the moral

    complexities for the bombings?


    Heap 3

    Historical Context & Long-Term Consequences

    The implications erupted from the 1945 atomic bombings had far-reaching and

    long-standing effects, from sparking the nuclear arms race between the United States and

    the Soviet Union to adding to heightened tensions of the Cold War. Critics claimed the

    use of atomic bombs was setting a dangerous precedent for future use of nuclear

    weapons and were also helping in maintaining the very threat of nuclear proliferation that

    he hoped to eliminate. In evaluating the justifiability of the bombings, one should keep in

    mind the intricate moral and historical circumstances that surrounded them.

    The pressures that they were under combined with the strong wish to end the war shaped

    their decision to use the atomic bombs and changed the shape of international relations

    thereafter.

    This unfolding gives depth in revealing long-term consequences and historical context.

    To what extent had the events of 1945 soberly marked global politics to establish a

    precedent in the use of nuclear weapons? Understanding what transpired in history gives

    light on the decision-making process and the factors that led to the imperial power to

    invoke atomic bombs. In sum, the mushroom cloud which has marked the atomic

    bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki symbolizes a complicated and contentious chapter

    in history.

    Although military necessity formed the basis of the justification, care must be exercised

    with regard to ethical issues, alternative options, long-term effects, and the historical

    point of view. The objective of the conclusion of the conflict must be weighed against the
    Heap 4

    broader clues and consequences of bombings on humanity. While the world deals with

    the consequences from 1945, carried within nations are ethical obligations to control

    such destructive power that remains an astute assertion within the dispute.

    Works Cited

    Herken, Gregg. “The Winning Weapon: The Atomic Bomb in the Cold War, 1945-1950.” The

    SHAFR Guide Online, 2 Oct. 2017, https://doi.org/10.1163/2468-1733_shafr_sim140110014.

    Nishiyama, Hiroshi, et al. “The Incidence of Malignant Lymphoma and Multiple Myeloma in

    Hiroshima and Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Survivors, 1945–1965.” Cancer, vol. 32, no. 6, Dec.

    1973, pp. 1301–09. https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-0142(197312)32:6.

    Smyth, H. D. Atomic Energy for Military Purposes; the Official Report on the Development

    of the Atomic Bomb Under the Auspices of the United States Government, 1940-1945. 2010,

    ci.nii.ac.jp/ncid/BA41056826.
    Heap 5

    Harrison, Henrietta. “Popular Responses to the Atomic Bomb in China 1945-1955.” Past &

    Present, vol. 218, no. suppl 8, Jan. 2013, pp. 98–116. https://doi.org/10.1093/pastj/gts036.

    Reflection: My proposed mark for this essay is 75% because I want to pass this course while also trying my best to expand my
    knowledge about history.

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