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| Genbaku Dome-Hiroshima August 1945 |
For over 60 years...
most Americans (and Japanese) have accepted "the fact" that the dropping of 2 atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki led to Japan’s immediate surrender. For the Japanese, Hiroshima and Nagasaki are powerful symbols of their nation as a victim (and rightfully so), helping to "hide and erase" their aggressive imperialism and war atrocities. For the Americans, the atomic bombs have always been an "ends that justify the means" of ending WWII and saving millions of lives.
A "comfortable truth" for both nations.
Over the years there have been 2 opposing (and I believe wrong) interpretations of the atomic bombs...
1. Classic Interpretation- The Japanese surrender was due to the dropping of the atomic bombs. Therefore, justifying the killing of thousands to end the war and save American (and Japanese) lives that would have resulted from an invasion.
2. 1960's Revised Interpretation- Japan was close to surrendering before Hiroshima and the atomic bomb was not justified or necessary. Harry Truman wanted to intimidate the Soviets with our "newly tested gadget".
First, let's look at some facts based on primary sources before we reject these 2 views...
1. The Japanese Air Force and Navy was decimated after the Battle of Okinawa...the new strategy was to extend the war and hope for the Americans to negotiate.
2. Japanese industry and industrial supplies were destroyed by relentless American air attacks...60+ cities were "a conflagration".
2. Japanese industry and industrial supplies were destroyed by relentless American air attacks...60+ cities were "a conflagration".
3. Japan stated it would never surrender (knowing they couldn't win the war...they tried to get the Soviets to mediate a strategic peace treaty with the Americans) and prepared millions of Japanese soldiers, kamikazes, and civilians to fight to protect their homeland...unconditional surrender was out of the question in their minds.
4. The Peace Treaty would hopefully maintain Japanese political (imperial/military) power, avoid war crime trials/ punishment, and annex some of the territory gained in the war.
5. Japanese leaders were not driven to surrender by the massive fire bombings or the atomic bomb....if they didn't surrender after Tokyo why surrender after Hiroshima.
Atomic Bomb- August 1945 Timeline
August 6- At 8:15 a.m., the Enola Gay delivered "Little Boy" on Hiroshima.
August 7- Japan "pressures" the Soviets to mediate peace with the Americans.
August 8- The Soviet Union declares war on Japan and attacks Japanese forces in northeast China.
August 9- "Fat Man" is dropped on Nagasaki while the Supreme Council is meeting in Tokyo.
August 9 & 10- Japan's Supreme Council meets to discuss a possible surrender...Emperor Hirohito breaks a deadlock and decides to surrender.
August 12 through 14- The Allies and Japan debate/ "negotiate" on the terms of surrender.
August 12 through 14- President Truman orders massive bombing to continue until an "official surrender" was given.
August 14- The largest bombardment (over 1,000 sorties) of the Pacific Theatre... "to impress Japanese officials that we mean business and are serious in getting them to accept our peace proposals without delay."
August 15- Emperor Hirohito officially surrenders.
An alternative interpretation...
1. Guns, bombs, drones, etc. don't induce people to capitulate or acquiesce...they didn't work on London, Dresden, Tokyo, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Hanoi, Baghdad...and they would never work on America.
2. The Soviet Union declaration of war was the primary cause for Japanese surrender...better to surrender to the Americans (democracy/ religious freedom) than a war with the Soviet Union (communism) and a possible forced occupation.
3. The atomic bomb was not the decisive (but one of many contributing factors) event that ended World War II.
1. Guns, bombs, drones, etc. don't induce people to capitulate or acquiesce...they didn't work on London, Dresden, Tokyo, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Hanoi, Baghdad...and they would never work on America.
2. The Soviet Union declaration of war was the primary cause for Japanese surrender...better to surrender to the Americans (democracy/ religious freedom) than a war with the Soviet Union (communism) and a possible forced occupation.
3. The atomic bomb was not the decisive (but one of many contributing factors) event that ended World War II.
4. Nuclear weapons, drones, laser technology, etc. are no "magic bullet"...they are "a symptom of man's failure as a thinking animal."
"If we are to teach real peace in this world,
and if we are to carry on real war against war,
we shall have to begin with the children."
- Mahatma Gandhi
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