Feasibility Of Atomic Bombings In Hiroshima And Nagasaki - Essay Example

?Should America Have Dropped bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Introduction: The Second World War was a unique feet in many ways. It exhibited events and incidents that were never seen by the mankind before. From human suffering to military arsenal, and use of scientific means in armory, to the single event of siege of Stalingrad lasting over 800 days, these were some of the unique features of the Second World War. Thesis Statement: The Hiroshima Nagasaki bombing was more of a strategic move than military, and it augured well for United States in the overall scenario of the war and post war, and allowed it gaining a position of domination and supremacy over the long term arch rival Socialist State U.S.S.R. The humanistic dimension: There is a human rights dimension to this entire episode, and on that ground this particular action cannot be justified in any way. It is being said that the first causality of the war is always humanity. The atomic bomb events are no exception; rather they were the naked violation and true definition of the human rights violation. It led to the annihilation of entire cities, single one leading to forty thousand plus deaths while the second event resulted in over eighty thousand slaying (Bodden). On that front even the entire concept of Second World War is a felony less to say the usage of atomic bombs. The Second World War can be also highlighted by an event that was totally new in its form. An event took place which to the present day has never been repeated and only once has the mankind tasted such a bitter sight. This event was the usage of atomic bombs. Two atom bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This was the first time in history of war field where nuclear bombs had been tested against the rivals. Prologue: The Second World War was not just a continental war; rather it engulfed states from over 4 continents and rightly so was a global war. There were two distinct blocs, one the Allies, led by G.B, France, Russia, and U.S. the Axis consisted of Italy, Germany, and Japan. The repercussions: The overall usage of atomic bomb had short term, medium term and long term repercussions. Short term pertaining to within the war, the medium term involving immediately after the war, and the long term leading to a phenomenon which was again a totally unique one in its existence and that was of Cold War which existed for over five decades afterward. This paper will look at the usage of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki from the perspective in three dimensions and stages, how it impacted the situation in present, near future and longer future. Scenario behind Hiroshima events: There was a built up towards the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing event, and it did not happen without a reason or in a fortnight, series of events led to the occurrence of this, and it can be said that the threat was in the atmosphere ever since 1942. Events like Peal Harbor and Mid way Island incident further ignited it and can be termed as the possible reasons towards Hiroshima and Nagasaki events. Short term outcomes: In short term, it lead to the victory of the allies, while the Normandy operation, Pearl Harbor were hall marks of recent days in the Second World War, and a solution was sought. Japan was going all guns and exploiting anything possible and in sight, thereby they had to be controlled. The single event of Pearl Harbor speaks for the type of offensive intentions they possessed. Their actions were indiscriminate on many fronts pertaining to the non military and civilian areas attacks. The consequence of using atomic bomb was total destruction of axis. Leaving them crippled. The atomic bomb was a death blow and a last nail in the coffin, which led to complete surrender in no time. this had a direct impact on the German moral, and their troops surrendered in no time. A warning to Nazis: The atomic bomb on Japan was a clear warning to Germany. If they did not halt their activities, Berlin, Frankfurt, would be the next target. Thereby this action had great repercussions and all to the positives in terms of the Allies action and strategies. The medium scale repercussions: The medium scale repercussions enabled United States of America to stand in a more dominant manner, and dictate terms. While big three had to resolve the issues pertaining to the post war scenario, being the only declared atomic power, it gave United States an edge over the rest with regard to the future say. It enabled them dictating the terms on many fronts in captured areas and areas where future governments would be established. Even before the attacks were launched, and world had no seen the atomic bomb nor were the civilians familiar to concept of nuclear attacks, a rift was on, on display between the U.S.S.R and U.S.A, and it was clearly evident in the Tehran Summit, Yalta Conference and other meetings where United States of America indirectly inferred superiority over the rivals based on the possession of nuclear arsenal. The long term repercussions: The long term repercussions were more intense. The Second World War’s end was marked by new phenomena that was never known to historians before. It was the Cold war. In Cold war, the strategic importance and edge was more important than the possession of conventional might in the battle fields, since Cold War was not being fought on ground, rather in form of intrigues, back door diplomacies, alliances, nexus and many more. In such events, the possession of atomic bomb was one of the critical possession that was possessed by the United States of America. It led to the U.S.S.R being in a state of being under dog with non possession of atomic arsenal. It took them couple of years to establish one and in that while America had clear edge over them and they could easily dictate their terms. The earlier settlements in the post war scenario were marked by the indirect declaration of Truman to Stalin over the nuclear power possession. A General perception: Apart from the Second World War scenario and the cold war repercussions, the using of atomic bomb had general repercussions, such that it warned the entire humanity and league of states from using this weapon, because its impacts were disastrous. Even decades after its usage, people are born crippled, handicapped and the land of Hiroshima and Nagasaki has traces of chemical effects to it due to the chemicals used in the nuclear bomb that took place good six decades ago. Conclusion: Although on humanitarian grounds, the actions cannot be justified, but on those grounds no war can be justified either, but if engaged in a war, and a war as ferocious and humongous as Second World War, it was the best remedy and possession a country could possess, and using it to its advantage meant killing and eliminating any other strength and edge that may had been enjoyed and possessed by the rivals prior to it. in general context, it enabled people and the states who possess the nuclear arsenal of the possible consequences of the usage of the atomic bomb, thereby creating a retreat in their minds and actions and six decades past, no country has tried using it just because they realize the impact and consequences of this weapon- ruinous. References: Bodden, Valerie. The Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Creative Company, 2007. Read More