Conducting a historical analysis helps to place an event within the framework of the era. It becomes possible to debate critically and without bias. From the point of view of modern society, any war, much less a nuclear bombing, is unacceptable. However, World War II can demonstrate the opposite perspective, placing this event within its historical context. This essay aims to critically assess the necessity of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
When World War II was almost over and the aggressor, Hitler’s Germany, had fallen, the U.S. launched nuclear strikes on two Japanese cities. In August 1945, two nuclear bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The victims of such a strike were instantly hundreds of thousands of human lives. This episode was an exceptional case of the military use of nuclear weapons. Because of its phenomenality, the use of such bombs has been the subject of profound public debate.
It is believed that the use of the weapon helped curb Japan’s aggressive potential and put an end to World War II. The Japanese government decided after the tragedy to halt any offensive and voluntarily surrender. In addition, it is assumed that the bombing was a more acceptable alternative to a military invasion by Allied forces. As a result of the prolonged fighting to contain Japan, the lives of American and British soldiers and Japanese civilians would have been destroyed. Consequently, the positive arguments of the bombing are that it ended the war and saved more lives.
However, one cannot deny that hundreds of thousands of Japanese civilians fell victim to such a tragedy. The U.S. took responsibility for the war crime, and it will remain in its history. There is no guarantee that deterring Japan would have been long-lasting and disastrous. The use of nuclear weapons was contrary to the rules of diplomacy. As a result, the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was a heinous war crime that claimed civilian lives.
Ultimately, it should be strictly emphasized that there was no military necessity for the use of nuclear weapons. While it did bring World War II to a complete halt, it remains a war crime. There is no guarantee that wars could not have been stopped by other means. One might think that the U.S. decided to show the world its military might by choosing a convenient moment. Thus, in no way was the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki justified.