Subject & Thesis Statement
This article is devoted to the most popular misconceptions about the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It describes the attitude of Europeans to the catastrophe and popular points of view about this strategic decision of Truman (Nemoto, 2019). The author’s opinion on this issue boils down to the fact that it was impossible to avoid the bombing. Nemoto argues that, if not for this operation, the war would have led to even more losses.
Summary of Content
The article is divided into several logical completed paragraphs. Each of them is devoted to various misconceptions held by Europeans about the fact that the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki could have been avoided. The first misconception is due to the fact that these cities were peaceful. Hiroshima was a large army depot, besides a military port in the middle of an industrial zone. It was also home to the headquarters of the Second Army Group, which defended the entire south of Japan, as well as the headquarters of the 59th Army and two divisions (Nemoto, 2019). The second misconception was related to the denial that Japan capitulated because of nuclear bombs. To provide a counterargument, Nemoto quotes the text of the divine Emperor Hirohito’s address to the nation on August 15, 1945 (Nemoto, 2019). It that the turning point for the decision to surrender was precisely the dropping of nuclear bombs.
Critical Comments
I feel the author’s treatment of the subject matter is appropriate and sufficient in its context. The information provided can be called relevant, since there is a connection with the problem and the ability to contribute to the process of understanding the problem. To establish the most common errors among Europeans, Nemoto conducted a parametric method of statistical data processing (Nemoto, 2019). The accuracy of the information can also be checked: all the dates and facts referred to by the author can be found in other authoritative sources.
The purpose of the article has been achieved: the author has identified the weakest arguments given by Europeans when discussing the position on the possibility of avoiding the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He counter-documented precisely those misconceptions that his opponents were most often guided by. Having identified the points that diverge from reality, but are accepted as the truth, Nemoto provided their scientific refutation (Nemoto, 2019). The article makes huge contribution to the field of world history: first of all, a large number of links to the article can be seen. This indicates that the paper initiated further deeper research in this area. The author’s contribution to the fight against disinformation is especially great: the meaningful information presented in Nemoto’s work debunks stereotypes that have been rooted for years. It will allow the European reader to get an objective view of the historical period under consideration.
The treatment of the subject matter can be considered objective as both the author and the journal that published the article are authoritative. In the analyzed scientific work, new facts generated by the author are in close contact with already known knowledge. The number of quotations, their authority, relevance and semantic accuracy also speak in favor of the author’s objectivity. In addition, the list of references also testifies to the impartiality of Nemoto’s position. The quality, solidity, and quantity of the sources of knowledge studied by the author, their correspondence to the research topic allow to conclude that the scientist has well studied the attitude of the opposite side to the problem.
All of the crucial facts and evidence have been mentioned in the paper. Nemoto revealed the specifics of the historical event, mentioning not only important, but also minor events and facts. He also pointed out all the historical figures belonging to the selected period, and drew attention to the influence they had on the course of historical events (Nemoto, 2019). Various kinds of data are used to support the author’s thesis statement. First of all, this is an appeal to well-known historical sources that are freely available. Among them are speeches by Henry Stimson, the US Secretary of War and Secretary of State, and an address by Emperor Hirohito to the nation. Nemoto also refers to the works of famous historians who have different positions on the inevitability of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The author quotes both Japanese and American scientists.
The same date cannot be interpreted to alternate ends. The statistics given with numerical data clearly indicate that Hiroshima and Nagasaki were not peaceful cities. In the appeal, Emperor Hirohito states that it was the bombing of cities that served as the main argument for the decision to surrender. Thus, all quotes and figures mentioned by Nemoto can be interpreted differently only out of context. The paper does raise issues and topics for discussion. To date, the US decision to bomb Japanese cities with atomic weapons is still considered controversial. This article causes a discussion of the purpose of these military maneuvers, and the search for alternative options for resolving the conflict. When studying this issue, there are still disputes, and the longing of the point of view expressed by the scientist can serve as a reason for the revival of discussions.
Work Cited
Nemoto, M. (2019). Remaking Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Local commemorations of atomic bombings in the United States. Journal for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament, 2(1), 34-50.