Critics have charged that the United States was morally irresponsible in using the atomic weapons against Japan during World War II. Were the United States' actions justified?
After you have completed your readings post your answers to only ONE of the following questions.
What are the explanations that have been offered in support of dropping the atomic bomb? What is your response to these explanations? Make sure that you provide specific support from your readings.
What are the arguments that have been presented against using the atomic bomb? What is your response to these arguments? Make sure that you provide specific support from your readings.
Review the trial and cast your verdict. How do you find President Truman? Guilty or Not Guilty?
Full Answer Section
- To demonstrate American power: The United States wanted to demonstrate its power to the Soviet Union, which was emerging as a rival superpower.
Arguments against dropping the atomic bomb
- It was a war crime: Some people believe that the use of the atomic bomb was a war crime, because it killed so many innocent civilians.
- It was unnecessary: Some people believe that the atomic bomb was not necessary to end the war, as Japan was already on the verge of surrender.
- It set a dangerous precedent: The use of the atomic bomb showed that nuclear weapons could be used to kill civilians on a massive scale, which set a dangerous precedent for future wars.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to drop the atomic bomb was a difficult one, and there is no easy answer. There are strong arguments to be made on both sides of the issue.
In my opinion, the arguments against dropping the atomic bomb are more compelling. The use of the atomic bomb killed hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians, and it set a dangerous precedent for future wars. I believe that the United States could have ended the war without using the atomic bomb, and that it should not have been used.
Sample Answer
The decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan was a controversial one, and there are many different perspectives on whether or not it was justified. Here are some of the main arguments that have been made in support of and against the decision:
Arguments in favor of dropping the atomic bomb
- To end the war quickly and save lives: The United States believed that dropping the atomic bomb would force Japan to surrender quickly, which would save lives on both sides. The invasion of Japan was expected to be costly, with casualties estimated in the millions.
- To deter future aggression: The United States hoped that the use of the atomic bomb would deter other countries from using nuclear weapons in the future.