How Is The Atomic Bomb Justified
The dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima (August 6th 1945) and Nagasaki (August 9th 1945) remains among the most controversial events in modern history. At the time, the dropping of the atomic bombs was both strategically and morally justified, yet today it is a hotly debated topic, thought to be excessive or unnecessary. However, the dropping of the atomic bombs, while an atrocious act, was in fact the lesser of two evils. The alternative was to prolong one of the bloodiest conflicts in global history and allow for the slaughter of many more people. There were strategic reasons that made the bomb necessary.
One of the main points in support of the decision to use the atomic bombs is that it saved American lives which would have been …show more content…
Despite having different number projections, there was a consensus that there would be a catastrophic loss of life. A few of the studies estimated American casualties for just the first 30 days of Operation Torch, the mission to attack the southern island Kyushu. General MacArthur, the leader of the American forces, had a study done by his staff in June of 1945, estimated 23,000 US casualties in the first 30 days. Another study by U.S. Army Chief of Staff George Marshall believed that the Americans would sustain 31,000 casualties in the first 30 days, while a third study by Admiral Ernest King, Chief of Naval Operations, put American casualties between 31,000 and 41,000. Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Chester Nimitz, whose staff conducted yet another study, projected near 49,000 U.S casualties in the first 30 days, including 5,000 at sea from Kamikaze attacks. The studies estimating total U.S. casualties were just as varied, but once again there was a united agreement in a high loss of life. One study done by the Joint Chiefs of Staff in April of 1945 projected 1,200,000 casualties and at least 267,000 fatalities. Admiral Leahy, the Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief, estimated 268,000 casualties. Even former President Herbert Hoover weighed in, conducting his own study, and sent a projection to President Truman and Secretary of War Stimson, with estimates of 500,000 to 1,000,000 casualties. Secretary of War Henry Stimson's staff estimated the costs at 1.7 to 4 million American casualties, including 400,000-800,000 fatalities . General Douglas MacArthur, the previously mentioned commander of the US forces for Operation Downfall, had his staff conduct their own study that continued over a few months. As time went on, and more information and research was recorded, the projections grew. In June, their prediction was 105,000 casualties for U.S.
One of the main points in support of the decision to use the atomic bombs is that it saved American lives which would have been …show more content…
Despite having different number projections, there was a consensus that there would be a catastrophic loss of life. A few of the studies estimated American casualties for just the first 30 days of Operation Torch, the mission to attack the southern island Kyushu. General MacArthur, the leader of the American forces, had a study done by his staff in June of 1945, estimated 23,000 US casualties in the first 30 days. Another study by U.S. Army Chief of Staff George Marshall believed that the Americans would sustain 31,000 casualties in the first 30 days, while a third study by Admiral Ernest King, Chief of Naval Operations, put American casualties between 31,000 and 41,000. Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Chester Nimitz, whose staff conducted yet another study, projected near 49,000 U.S casualties in the first 30 days, including 5,000 at sea from Kamikaze attacks. The studies estimating total U.S. casualties were just as varied, but once again there was a united agreement in a high loss of life. One study done by the Joint Chiefs of Staff in April of 1945 projected 1,200,000 casualties and at least 267,000 fatalities. Admiral Leahy, the Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief, estimated 268,000 casualties. Even former President Herbert Hoover weighed in, conducting his own study, and sent a projection to President Truman and Secretary of War Stimson, with estimates of 500,000 to 1,000,000 casualties. Secretary of War Henry Stimson's staff estimated the costs at 1.7 to 4 million American casualties, including 400,000-800,000 fatalities . General Douglas MacArthur, the previously mentioned commander of the US forces for Operation Downfall, had his staff conduct their own study that continued over a few months. As time went on, and more information and research was recorded, the projections grew. In June, their prediction was 105,000 casualties for U.S.