Hiroshima Essay, Research Paper

OUTLINE Thesis: Nuclear proliferation should be banned in order to prevent other countries from death and destruction like that of Hiroshima. I. Mankind argues for and against Hershey s message to ban the bomb. (QUOTE) A. History leading to Hiroshima 1. Why was book written 2. When was book written B. Author and name of book 1. Hershey s message 2. Other information C. Thesis II. By giving governments the power to use bombs, many innocent civilians are killed. A. Proponents of nuclear armament argued that one massive show of force would result in fewer casualties of civilians compared to ground war, but use of the bomb is still inhumane. B. Number of persons killed, injured, and missing due to bomb C. Radiation over widespread area 1. 20% died from direct exposure to radiation 2. 50% died from other injuries, 25% died from direct burns D. Although bombs set an example for rest of world…… 1. Opposing evidence 2. Opposing evidence III. Governments have a right to protect their citizens. However, survivors of bombs are permanently affected. A. Affects physical health and emotions Hanson ii 1. example 2. example B. Affects housing 1. example 2. example C. Affects food and water supplies IV. Although nuclear proliferation helps restore peace, it also causes destruction of many regional economies. A. People unable to afford medical care B. Businesses destroyed 1. Japanese building regulations 2. Statistics on destroyed buildings C. Employers wouldn t hire bomb victims 1. Quote from novel 2. Constant physical problems V. In the novel Hiroshima, author John Hershey presents a clear message. A. Nuclear proliferation should be stopped B. Bomb does more harm than good 1. Kills innocent civilians 2. Survivors permanently affected a. mentally/ emotionally b. physically 3. Economic destruction C. Bartlett s quote D. Sentence comparing quote to nuclear weapons today HIROSHIMA As soon as men decide that all means are permitted to fight an evil, then their good becomes indistinguishable from the evil they set out to destroy. –Christopher Dawson In the novel Hiroshima, author John Hershey presents a clear message to ban the use of nuclear proliferation. This true account was written in 1946 and portrays the lives of six survivors of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Hershey s intentions were to show everyone what kind of destruction can be caused by the atomic bomb. The bombing of Hiroshima by the United States was retaliation to the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The U.S. wanted to make an example of Japan, so they dropped the most powerful bomb they had, not fully knowing what kind of devastation it would cause. Many people lost their lives and an entire city was economically devastated. Nuclear proliferation should be banned in order to prevent other countries from suffering the death and destruction like that of Hiroshima. Governments around the world have the power to regulate what kind of warfare is used during battle. However, by permitting the use of the atomic bomb, many innocent civilians are killed. Proponents of nuclear armament argue that one massive show of force results in fewer casualties overall compared to prolonged ground war, but the use of the bomb is still inhumane. In the case of Hiroshima, staticians said that at least 100,000 thousand people had lost their lives and 37,245 had been injured(81). The bombing of Hiroshima also produced radiation over a widespread area. Twenty percent of the victims killed died from radiation exposure. It was reported that 25% died from direct burns caused by the bomb and 50% died from other bomb related injuries. Although the use of nuclear proliferation is often used to set an example for the rest of the world, it causes intense suffering and death to many innocent civilians. Although many governments use atomic warheads to protect their own citizens from harm, the survivors of these atomic bombs are permanently affected. The effects of the bomb cause damage to physical health as well as emotions. Thousands of people suffered from severe burns which left terrible koloid scars, others had broken bones, and many thousands more suffered from nausea and fatigue due to extreme radiation exposure. Many became very bitter as a result of seeing such death and destruction(72). In addition, thousands of homes located near the hypocenter were destroyed. Many citizens of Hiroshima were left homeless or living in shelters due to the bomb. Food and water supplies were also greatly affected. Most people lost everything they owned and were unable to afford food. The water was also affected by the radiation and, therefore, was undrinkable. The use of nuclear proliferation most often cause serious permanent pain and suffering. Despite the fact that nuclear proliferation helps restore peace, it also causes destruction of many regional economies. Because many of the victims were unable to work, medical care could not be afforded. Burns and broken bones were left to be healed by nature. Despite the strict Japanese building regulations, many businesses were destroyed. Statistics showed that 62,000 out of 90,000 buildings were destroyed and 6,000 were damaged beyond repair. Because of the atomic bomb, businesses were destroyed putting people out of jobs and making them unable to afford everyday necessities. After businesses were reestablished, employers would not hire bomb victims because of their physical ailments. In the novel, Hershey states that employers developed a prejudice against the survivors as word got around that they were prone to all sorts of ailments…. (93). Without money, survivors were unable to obtain medical attention as well as food, water, and a place to live. In the novel Hiroshima, author John Hershey presents a clear message. Nuclear proliferation causes more harm than good and should be stopped. Hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians have been killed by the inhumane use of the atomic bomb in both Hiroshima and later in Nagasaki. Survivors are not only affected mentally and emotionally, but physically as well. Homes and businesses are destroyed and people are unable to afford proper medical care. This causes economic destruction for the entire region. Although use of the atomic bomb results in overall world peace, it causes excessive chaos and destruction within a country. Five-star U.S. general Omar Bradley said that The world has achieved brilliance without conscience. This is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. In this world today, too much focus is put on the production of nuclear weapons and not enough on bringing world peace without death and destruction. Therefore, governments around the world should join together in banning the atomic bomb.

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