U.S. Vs. Japan In WWII Essay, Research Paper

On August 6, 1945 the atomic bomb was dropped on the

Japanese city of Hiroshima. The Enola Gay, piloted by

Colonel Tibbetts, was chosen to make the mission. The

mission was recorded as successful by Capt. William S.

Parson at 9:20 A.M. This was an extremely controversial

military strategy in the United States. Was the United

States justified in the dropping of the atomic bomb? Yes,

they were justified formany reasons. The primary reason was,

that it would stop the war. Why is it that this war needed

to be stopped so badly? Even though in some ways it was

helping our economy, it was very costly in both money and

lives. Also, the United States soldiers were undergoing

harsh treatment by the unmerciful Japanese. Another reason

the war needed to be stopped was to defend ourselves from

another attack on U.S. soil, which in turn would kill many

of our U.S. citizens. This is why the war needed to be

stopped; thus, justifying the use of the atomic bomb.

World War II was the costliest war in history, in

terms of lives lost. No exact figures exist, but

approximately between 15 and 20 million military personnel

were killed. Of these, 292,000 were Americans and 6,000

innocent United States citizens were murdered by our

enemies. It has been estimated that if the United States had

not dropped the bomb and had invaded Japan instead, the

United States would have lost about a million soldiers. The

Japanese suicidal fighting strategies greatly effected this

number. The Japanese would rather die than surrender. This

is demonstrated by the battle of Saipan. At this battle over

half of the population of Saipan walked off a cliff instead

of surrendering to the United States. This was often very

effective. Many times when a Japanese soldier decided to

blow himself up instead of surrendering he would kill many

Americans with the same blast. Also the kamikaze techniques

of the Japanese fighters killed many soldiers. If this war

would have continued we could have lost thousands more.

Also up to this point we spent 300 billion dollars on war

efforts. Many materials and other objects were damaged. Any

estimate on how much money was lost in damages would be

futile. This number would have continued to rise if it had

not been for the use of the atomic bomb.

The horrendous atrocities that occurred during World

War II were unmerciful as well as unnecessary. During one

invasion of China, the rape of Nanking, the Japanese killed

100,000 Chinese civilians. They were burned, butchered, and

raped. Sometimes the Japanese would tie a big group of them

together and use them for bayonet and sword practice. After

the fall of Bataan the soldiers were forced to go on a

death march. During this march many unheard of things

happened to the soldiers. A soldier was often killed for

trying to get a drink of water. If a soldier fell down the

Japanese would either bayonet them or knock them

unconscious. Once they were knocked unconscious, the

Japanese then forced another American soldier to bury the

unconscious soldier alive. One soldier once commented, “The

worst time was once when a burial victim with about six

inches of earth over him suddenly regained consciousness and

clawed his way out until he was almost sitting upright. Then

I learned to what length a man will go to hang onto his

life. The bayonets began to prod me in the side and I was

forced to bash the soldier over the head with the shovel and

then finish burying him.”(Kappler, Pg. 168) This harsh

treatment to innocent civilians and our soldiers

needed to stop. The atomic bomb was a way to stop it.

On December 7, 1941,” A day that will live in

infamy,” Pearl Harbor was deliberately attacked by the

Japanese. Reports indicate that 2400 people were killed and

1300 were wounded. The reason Japan bombed Pearl Harbor was

because that was where all of our Navy ships were

positioned. They were hoping to take out the Navy and were

almost successful. The aircraft carriers were expected to be

in the harbor, but luckily were not. Although the attack may

have been a military success in the minds of the Japanese it

became a huge mistake in the final analysis. One reason it

was a mistake was it caused the U.S. to enter the war. We

were the ultimate cause to Japan losing the war. Secondly it

made the Americans angry and determined to destroy the

Japanese. Many congressmen volunteered for active duty,

asking for a one day respite to cast their vote for war.

Also recruiting offices were flooded with young patriots who

wanted to help there country out. This attack was just an

example of what could have happened if the war had

continued. If the war had continued another attack on U.S.

soil could have taken place. This could have turned the

6,000 dead American civilians into 9,000 dead civilians.

That number could have kept rising until the war was over.

That is another reason the bomb needed to be dropped to stop

the war.

The war was a horrible thing. It killed millions and

destroyed the lives of millions more. It lasted six years

and could have lasted longer; with death and destruction

increasing every year. Ending such a horrible thing should

be reason enough to drop the atomic bomb. The cruelty of the

Japanese at such places as Bataan and Nanking was horrible

and needed to be stopped. Although the atomic bomb caused

much death devastation it indirectly saved lives. America

made their power known by frightening other European

powers. This bombing has serviced to prohibit future attacks

on American soil. The atomic bomb was the best solution. The

atomic bomb may have killed thousands, but it saved

millions.

331