Discussion: The United States’ Atomic Bomb on Japan
The legality of the atomic bombing strategy on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States remains a debatable topic. Different arguments have been presented both in support of and against the decision. My take on the decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan is that it was wrongful. Despite the allegations that the atomic bombings would save more lives compared to a Japanese invasion, and the quick urge to curb and end the war, atomic bombing was a significant threat to lives and encouraged weaponization.
June Admiral Leahy, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated that the anticipated invasion would result in over 268,000 casualties on Kyushu, which would be more severe compared to the aftermath of the battles on Okinawa (Greenwell). The battle casualties would consist of fatal injuries and deaths. Thousands of Americans would lose their lives while atomic bombs would be dropped on the enemy. The use of atomic bombs was projected to cause massive world destruction due to new developments and improvements in the structural composition of the bomb by the Allies (Harry S. Truman Library & Museum 1). The conversation between Oppenheimer and Acheson reached a conclusion that despite the ability to separate the scientific data and technical information related to bomb production, the recipients would still manage to acquire undisclosed information, accelerating the manufacture of bombs, a threat to war initiatives to test and demonstrate countries’ military weapon capabilities.
Moreover, emissions from bombs pose significant health challenges, which may alter the genetic composition of the survivors. Offspring of bombing survivors may develop defects and undesirable traits, becoming a long-term effect of the decision to use atomic bombs as a weapon against enemies. As an alternative, the United States could have used milder weapons, such as conventional bombing, to respond to the invasion by Japan, thereby reducing the severe consequences associated with atomic bombs.
Works Cited
Greenwell, John. “The Atom Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Were They War Crimes?” ISAA Review: Journal of the Independent Scholars Association of Australia, vol. 12, no. 2, Gale Literature Resource Center, 2013, go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=LitRC&u=anon~bcbc9aef&id=GALE%7CA357967736&v=2.1&it=r&sid=googleScholar&asid=182a3ff4.
Harry S. Truman Library & Museum. “Memo of Conversation with Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer and Dean Acheson.” Harry S. Truman Library & Museum, www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/research-files/memo-conversation-dr-j-robert-oppenheimer-and-dean-acheson.
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Question 
Discussion: The United States’ Atomic Bomb on Japan
The necessity of dropping the atomic bomb in order to force Japanese surrender has been debated sharply since well before the bomb itself was dropped. Survey sources linked below (sample from the sources – you do not need to read each one, per se), then engage your classmates in a discussion on the Module 11 discussion post. Follow the posting date guidelines on the course schedule for this assignment.
In a post of at least 250 words, respond to the following:
Was the United States “right” to have dropped two atomic bombs on Japan?
Discussion – The United States’ Atomic Bomb on Japan
Be sure to explain your position completely
Cite evidence (from the provided secondary and primary sources) to support your conclusions.
Provided secondary and primary sources.
John Greenwell, “The Atom Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Were They War Crimes?,” ISAA Review 12, no. 2 (October 2013): 35-45 [PDFX].
Primary sources:
Albert Einstein to Franklin D. Roosevelt, 25 March 1945 [PDFX].
J.A. Darry to Leslie R. Groves, 12 May 1945 [PDFX].
Matthew J. Connelly to James Byrnes, with attached Leo Szilard letter, 6 September 1945 [PDFX].
Memo of Conversation with Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer and Dean Acheson, 25 September 1945 [PDFX].
Petition to the President of the United States, 17 July 1945 [PDFX].
Translation of Leaflet Dropped on the Japanese, 6 August 1945 – A [PDFX].
Translation of Leaflet Dropped on the Japanese, 6 August 1945 – B [PDFX].
Sherrod, Robert. “World Battlefronts: The Nature of the Enemy.” Time. 7 August 1944 [PDFX].
Sherrod, Robert. “World Battlefronts: The Enemy: Perhaps He Is Human.” Time. 5 July 1943 [PDFX].
Stimson, Henry L. “The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb.” Harper’s Magazine 194 (February 1947) [PDFX].