Hiroshima; Right or Wrong? Essay examples

Words: 993
Pages: 4

1) Describe the main arguments, reasons, and evidence that support the perspective of Historian A.

-Historian A had a lot of reasonable and strong perspectives on the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. She views the United States was not justified in dropping the bomb. A huge argument begins with the U.S. knowing that Japan was trying to surrender. This is a great example of unnecessarily kicking someone when they are already down. The Japanese wanted peace and tried to surrender, the only condition was that they could keep their emperor. The U.S. declined and said they had to have an “unconditional surrender.” After the bombing, the U.S. let Japan keep their emperor anyway. The U.S. could have saved so many lives if they had
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If the bomb had not been used and the U.S. had not insisted on unconditional surrender, would only have led to more war and loss of lives. Using the bomb ended sooner and although many lives were lost, it saved many lives over time.

3) Imagine that you were in the position of the U.S. president at the time, Henry Truman. Explain what action you would have taken with respect to the atomic bombs and explain the rationale for your decision.
-This is an extremely hard position to put myself in and when measuring out all the facts and details, it takes a certain kind of person to drop a bomb and kill all those people. Putting myself in Truman’s shoes, I do not think I would have dropped the bomb. Japan was very argumentative with the unconditional surrender however there could have been just as efficient, less dramatic ways to handle the situation instead of the bombing. I wouldn’t have even threatened the bomb because I would not have gone through with it. Henry threated it, so I’m sure his obligation to keep his word after Japan chose to ignore it was a huge influence. Japan had started war with us and we attacked them back. The second bombing so shortly after the first was inhumane, especially dropping it on a city. If the second bombing was the absolute final decision, perhaps more warning to Japan until they agreed to surrender unconditionally even if they chose to ignore the first