On July 16th, 1945, the first successful detonation of an atomic bomb occurred at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The explosion’s strength was greater than twenty thousand tons of TNT and could be seen from a distance of over two hundred miles. (Atomic Bomb-Truman Press Release) Afterward, President Truman met with other Allied commanders in Potsdam, Germany to negotiate terms for ending World War II. During the conference, the Allies demanded Japan’s unconditional surrender and issued the “Potsdam Declaration,” which warned about “prompt and total destruction” if Japan did not comply. (The Potsdam Conference, 1945) However, Japan rejected this declaration, leading Truman to authorize the use of atomic weapons. On August 6th, 1945, the Littleboy atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima resulting in seventy thousand deaths caused by a bright flash of light and heat. Despite this devastating attack, Japan still did not surrender.
The Fat Man atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki on August 9th, 1945, resulting in the immediate death of over twenty thousand people. An additional twenty thousand would die in the following weeks due to radiation exposure (Atomic Bomb-Truman Press Release). The decision made by former President Harry Truman to use atomic bombs on two Japanese cities is a highly debated topic in military history. This decision was not universally popular among our allies, citizens, or soldiers. Truman became president on April 12th, 1945, during a time of significant turmoil in the United States. Moreover, Truman took office at a time when the newly invented atomic bomb offered a more efficient means of targeting cities and populations.
The understanding of the weapon’s capabilities and consequences was insufficient. While some argue that using the atomic bombs was necessary to end a deadly US-involved war, the aftermath of the weapon remained largely unknown. Conversely, others believe that dropping the atomic bomb was an abuse of power by Harry Truman for political purposes and not entirely essential. This essay aims to demonstrate that it was possible to conclude the war without employing the atomic bomb. Douglas MacArthur, commander of US forces in the Pacific, asserted, “The soldier, be he friend or foe, is charged with protecting the weak and unarmed. It is his very essence and reason for existence… a sacred trust.” The bombings of both cities can be interpreted as acts of terrorism primarily motivated by politics rather than military objectives (Chambers, John pg. 371).
The bombings of Iwo Jima and Okinawa resulted in a significant number of Japanese soldiers fighting until death, with only a few surrendering. Some argue that dropping the bombs was necessary to prevent the loss of one million American lives in the planned landing at Kyushu (Operation Downfall). However, those who believe that the bombs were the only solution to end the war are mistaken. Japan, being an Island nation reliant on its navy, which served as the backbone of its military power and protected trade routes during World War II, was unable to sustain itself. Despite the United States military forces advancing past Iwo Jima and Okinawa, the Japanese were too proud to admit defeat. Terrorism refers to using violence and intimidation for political purposes according to Google.com. The ultimate goal at the end of World War II was to bring the war to a swift conclusion by any means necessary. As part of this effort, a bombing raid on Tokyo was conducted by the Army Air Corp.
The raid on Tokyo aimed to force Japan to surrender, despite its limited military presence. The bombings caused the death of one hundred thousand civilians in just one night, which is comparable to the casualties resulting from the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This event is often overlooked and referred to as the Great Tokyo Air Raid. The United States has termed such warfare as Shock and Awe, a concept that encompasses rapid dominance in military strategy. Shock and awe relies on overwhelming power, superior battlefield awareness, strategic maneuvers, and impressive displays of force to paralyze an adversary’s perception and erode their will to fight. It should be emphasized that any actions outside our Rules of Engagement aligning with the description of Shock and Awe would be considered a war crime. Therefore, those who argue for the necessity of atomic bombs based on this doctrine are mistaken.
Despite Japan’s unnecessary surrender and defeat, the United States committed war crimes in modern times by utilizing atomic bombs on Japan. The United States’ implementation of “Shock and Awe” tactics resembled Germany’s “Blitzkrieg” or “Lightning Warfare,” which was also morally wrong but crucial for Germany’s objectives. However, in the Pacific theater, Shock and Awe tactics were not required for Japan’s surrender since they were already defeated. The challenge lied in how to make Japan surrender, leading the United States to make an erroneous decision of dropping atomic bombs. By the conclusion of World War II, Japan’s Navy and Air Force had significantly weakened, rendering their trade and supply routes susceptible.
The United States Navy implemented a blockade encircling Japan, serving as a metaphorical hourglass indicating the approaching surrender. Japan heavily relied on imports to sustain its economy; however, without them, their economy would crumble, armies would starve, and engines would come to a halt. Specifically, Japan faced a severe shortage of oil towards the war’s end. Reliant solely on imported crude oil, Japan’s supply was essentially severed by the United States by the conclusion of the war. Without crude oil, Japan lacked the ability to fuel their ships, planes, transport vehicles, and tanks. Here lies Truman’s mistake in his conviction that ending the war swiftly was crucial. The United States’ economy thrived due to the war and possessed an abundant supply of oil and resources within their navy. At this stage, with all advantages held by the United States’, Harry Truman made a political decision instead of choosing one centered around humanity. The utilization of atomic bombs could have been avoided.
Continuing the Naval blockade would have achieved military objectives and saved 100,000 civilian lives. Today, the mention of nuclear weapons induces panic due to their devastating effects and the existence of individuals who might use them. The United States’ past use of atomic weapons, particularly against non-combatants, is appalling.
Instead of investing more years and resources in the Pacific region, the United States chose to kill innocent people. Harry Truman’s actions were driven solely by his political agenda to quickly end the war; today, such actions could be considered terrorism.
The battles at Iwo Jima and Okinawa marked the end of the war in the Pacific. Japan had no means to regain their lost islands without naval or air power while facing dwindling food supplies each day. Dropping those bombs was unnecessary.
Bibliography
“Atomic Bomb-Truman Press Release-August 6, 1945.” Harry S. Truman Library and Museum. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2013.
Book, “Operation Downfall. Victory in the Pacific.WGBH American Experience | PBS.” PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2013.
Chambers, John Whiteclay, and G. Kurt Piehler. Major problems in American military history: documents and essays. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1999. Print.
“Office of the Historian – Milestones – 1937-1945 – The Potsdam Conference, 1945.” Office of the Historian.N.p., n.d.Web .20 Sept .2013.
Spitzer,Kirk.A Forgotten Horror: The Great Tokyo Air Raid|TIME.com.U.S.|News , Headlines , Stories , Video from Around the Nation|TIME.com.N.p.,n.d.Web .20 Sept .2013.
Vetting of Sources
“Atomic Bomb-Truman Press Release-August 6, 1945.”
“Harry S. Truman Library and Museum. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2013.”
The Harry S. Truman Library and Museum is one of thirteen Presidential Libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration.
PBS, also known as the Public Broadcasting Service, is a privately funded nonprofit corporation established in 1969. As of late, they published the book titled “Operation Downfall. Victory in the Pacific.WGBH American Experience | PBS.” This entity comprises America’s noncommercial and educational licensees, encompassing more than 350 member stations throughout all 50 states along with Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.
The Office of the Historian, headed by Dr. Stephen Randolph, is the historical wing of the U.S. Department of State. It comprises historians who specialize in analyzing the history of U.S. foreign policy and the Department itself. Their expertise encompasses studying classified and unclassified government records, as well as collaborating with other federal government history offices, academic historians, and global experts.
Time Inc., a division of Time Warner, is a renowned media company that engages over 138 million U.S. consumers monthly through multiple platforms including print, online, and mobile.
The company owns influential brands such as TIME, PEOPLE, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, InStyle, and Real Simple.
Time Inc. has been instrumental in reporting significant news stories and is acclaimed for its popular franchises like the FORTUNE 500, TIME 100, PEOPLE’s Most Beautiful list, and the SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Swimsuit Issue.
