My stance?
My stance? I don’t know, so I’m going to think it out. I know, I’ve been thinking for days. I was a little distracted this week by sick child and nice weather. The stated reason for dropping the A-bombs on Japan are plausible. Even after the bombing of Hiroshima Japan did not show signs of surrender, only mobilizing for the expected invasion. There were some advising the Emperor that refused to back down, and those that suggested surrender negotiation were having little pull. Some suggest the threat of Soviet involvement would have caused Japan to negotiate. Indications were that after the successful testing that the US did not stress Soviet involvement and wanted to keep the Soviets out so they had no claims to make in the surrender. Which leads to the possibility of showing the USSR the power we had. A demo. Certainly relations with the Soviets were strained as the Cold War was getting under way. There is a moral dilemma in dropping the bomb. Innocent life was taken. Yet, Japan was forced to surrender, therefore saving American soldiers. Would it have been effective to demo the destructive power to encourage surrender? I do not think so. Even experiencing destruction did not lead to surrender negotiations, it took a second devastating bomb.
It is not my assignment to determine the morality of dropping the bombs. I do not think it was right. I think the US could have used other destructive means and achieved the same goal. However, I am not certain about the casualty figures. My purpose is to determine the why.
The United States bombed Japan for several reasons. First, to bring an end to the war. Second, to demonstrate force and power to the Soviets. Third, I really think they wanted to see what it would really do. That is horrible I know. But I think for some it was an issue. I believe there is merit to the argument that those who argue against the bombing argue with evidence written after the fact, using hindsight judgments.
Now the goal is to put this into an intelligent essay…
October 24 2005 10:29 pm | History and Ramblings
