How could pivotal events in America have turned out differently Argue for an alternate history into the present using evidence - Essay Example

How could pivotal events in America have turned out differently? The notion of using the Atomic Bomb began from the onset of the Korean War. The war began in 1950 to 1953, and the indelible thing about the war was the destructiveness nature of United States characterized by massive airstrikes against North Korea. With General MacArthur at the center of the decisions made by the American Government, the use of nuclear weapons was apparent. General Douglas MacArthur headed the UN forces during the invasion of South Korea by the North Korean government as well as the Commander-in-Chief Far East (CINCFE). As the General was popular with the troops in Korea, he believed that with his command of the UN forces, and US support, he had autonomy from the American government (Pak 42). Truman viewed the war as a war against North Korea while MacArthur observed it as a confrontation with both North Korea and China. By 1950, the General began contemplating of the notion of utilizing nuclear strikes because the Chinese kept their forces closely together and thus vulnerable to air strikes (Malkasian 5). The idea of utilizing A-Bombs would have resulted in the successful detonation of 28 atomic bombs and thus would have changed the course of history in reference to the war.
With various regions in Korea bombarded by nuclear weapons, the Korean War would end as a result, for various reasons. During the war, Chinese forces were closely knit together, and an airstrike would alleviate any actions they had planned. In the 1950s, the Chinese government lacked the ability to develop nuclear weapons and thus did not possess any atomic bombs. Therefore, Communist China would surrender in view of preventing a nuclear strike in their homeland. The main concern for the American government would be the Soviet Union as they also developed nuclear weapons at the time, which had the potential to cause tremendous problems (Dijk, Ruud van et al. 37). Consequently, with United States and Soviet Union utilizing weapons of mass destruction, nuclear weapons would turn out to be conventional weapons of combat by numerous countries around the globe. Therefore, in a world where the Soviet Union developed atomic Bombs, such a pursuit of victory would have resulted in World War III due to the wide spread of atomic bombs. As nuclear weapons would play a significant role in the WWIII, traditional bombings, infantry matches and armor offenses would typify the warfare.
The effects of the A-Bomb would have various ramifications of a political nature internationally and in the United States. The utilization of the atomic Bomb under the guidance of MacArthur after defying a direct order by President Truman would tarnish the president’s image. Financing the war would prove a difficult task for the government due to the expensive nature of developing nuclear weapons. With the WWIII, the world would be facing a war worse than the one against Hitler in WWII. Truman would be blamed for starting the WWIII and live for the better part of his life defending his actions.
The restructuring of the world would transform the globe after various decades with a flourishing world economy and technological improvement. Over the years and latter part of the 20th Century, the radiation levels of the atomic bomb utilized in the Korean War would have depleted resulting in livable standards.
Work Cited
Dijk, Ruud van et al. Encyclopedia of the Cold War. Routledge, 2013. Print.
Malkasian, Carter. The Korean War. New York: Rosen Pub, 2009. Print.
Pak, Chi Y. Korea and the United Nations. The Hague [u.a.: Kluwer Law International, 2000. Print. Read More