Atomic Bomb DBQ

On August 6, 1945 a United States B-29 bomber dropped a massive atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. Hiroshima was not a military base, in fact most of the casualities caused by the bomb were civilian death. While the people of Japan were still trying to coprehend the devastating situation. The U.S. planned for another bombing mission. Three days later, the United States droper another bomb on Nagasake. Nearly half of Nagasaki had been destroyed from the bomb. Th reason for the U.S. 's decision to use the atomic bomb is controversial, but the decison was mainly adeplomatic measure calculated to intimidate the Soviet Union

Although many believed that the Atomic bomb was the key to completely ending the war with Japan but it was apparent to everyone that even without the bomb Japan was already on the verge of collapsing. Japan had already been weakened by many other air bombing. The United States "had hit some 60 Japanese cities with our regular Hight Explosive and incendiary bombs and, as a result of our raid, about 241,000 people had been killed, 313,000 wounded, and about 2,333,000 home destoryed."(Doc B) It is very clear from General H.H. Arnold's accounts about the Japaneses situation in World War 2, Japanese surrender was inevitable. Although, the bomb might have quickened the process, Japanese unconditional Surrender of the Japaneses was coming with or without the bomb. " Japan was essentially defeated and that we could win the war in another 6 months."(doc F)

At the time, President Truman and much of the United States government was less concerned about the Japanese surrender and more about Joseph Stalin and the Soviet Union. Russia at the time was superior in military weaponry and military tactics. Many of the United States leaders felt that the United should show its power and strength and sort of scare Russia. The opportunity to do this presented by using the Atomic Bomb. Up until than Russia had the new and better weaponry but the Atomic bomb was a very powerful weapon, therefore it was big accomplishment that the United States, " won the race of discovery" of the atomic bomb.(Doc h) Even though without the bomb the surrender of Japan was possible but the United States needed from the Souviet Union. The United States strategic plan for the of Japan would require 5,000,000 men, which would only be possible with the help of the Souviet Union.(Doc A) Truman was relcutant to seek help because the United States wanted to undermine the power of the Souviet Union not seek their help. As Winston Churchill states in the Potsdam Conference, " We should not need the Russians" if the atomic bomb could be used. Like many Dwight D. Eisenhower feared that " no power on earth could keep the Red Army out of the war unless victory came before they could get in." (Doc C) The only way to gain victory with out the aid of the Russians was by the using the Atomic bombs.