Introduction-
Hello friends, 6th August 1945, it was summer season in Hiroshima city of Japan. It was a beautiful day. There was blue sky. There was good sunshine and it was Monday morning. People had just reached their offices at around 8 in the morning. Small children had reached school to work. And the first period of school was about to start. Meanwhile, some people see an American Boeing B29 plane passing in the sky. why did us bomb hiroshima and nagasaki?
Exactly at 8:15, something falls down from this aeroplane. People from a distance could not see, so clearly that is this small thing which is falling down. They would not have thought even in their dreams that this Aeroplane was an atomic bomb. why did us bomb hiroshima and nagasaki?
It keeps falling down for 43 seconds, exactly 43 seconds. And then everything is over in a blink of an eye. Thousands of people present in the city see a very bright light flashing in the last moment of their life. Due to the bomb explosion, it intentionally becomes a fireball. It is as if a small sun has been formed. The temperature on the ground reaches 4000 degrees Celsius. 80000 people die in a jiffy. Hearing this, the biggest question that will arise in your mind is why this bomb was dropped. What was the reason behind this? Let us understand in today’s article.
Friends, the story of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki is spun by the genius of man. A new age is born in the roar of thunder. why did us bomb hiroshima and nagasaki?
Overview of world war 2- why did us bomb hiroshima and nagasaki?
Our story begins with the Second World War. In the year 1939, when Hitler evaded Poland, one by one many other countries were pushed into this war. World War I was being fought between two big alliances. On one side were Nazi Germany, Italy and Japan, which are called Access Powers. And on the other side were Great Britain, Soviet Union and USA, which are called Allied Powers or Allies. why us dropped atomic bomb on hiroshima and nagasaki?
Countries like France and China were also included in the Allies. But in the beginning, America was trying its best. That it should not become a part of this war. After the bad experience of the First World War, America had decided that whatever happens in Europe and Asia, I do not want to interfere. I want to keep my hands off. But in the year 1941, when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, after that the US was also forced to get involved in this war.
Historical context-
Here it is very important to understand things from the context of Japan.Because whenever we talk about World War I, we usually focus the most on Germany and Hitler. We do not talk much about Japan, what is the real matter.
The early 1900s, Imperialism was also being seen in Japan. Just like Britain, France, and many other European countries started occupying other countries, started colonizing them. Japan was also doing the same thing.It was a part of the British Empire, just like India. Similarly, till 1940, Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, many eastern areas of China, North Korea, South Korea, all these countries were under the control of the Japanese Empire. why did us bomb hiroshima and nagasaki?
These Japanese colonizers used to talk about Greater Asia, that we will create such an Asia which is united, but all this was just talk. In reality, like other colonizers, they used to capture land to exploit resources so that they can earn profits for themselves. They did the first big expansion. In the year 1931, there was an area in Northern China. They captured Manchuria.
Their plan in the North was to go ahead from there and capture some areas of Mongolia and Soviet Union. Their plan in the South was to capture the areas of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. What was the matter in the South? These countries which are today’s Vietnam, Cambodia were actually a part of the French Empire at that time.
They were called French Indo-China. So if Japan wanted to capture these areas, they had to first defeat the French Empire. This is what happened in 1940. They went to war against France and captured these areas. But by doing this, Japan became a participant in World War II. America saw that on one side was Hitler. why did us bomb hiroshima and nagasaki?
Why America come world war 2-
In Europe, war is being waged against one country after another. They are being occupied. On the other hand, there is Japan in Asia. They are doing the same. We do not want to interfere in the war here. By using our military, but something will have to be done. To stop them, why not take some economic action. So, America actually has copper, iron and steel which are very essential resources. America stops exporting them to Japan. It puts a ban on it. The hope was that Japan would stop expansion on seeing this. It will sit quietly. But this does not happen.
In response, America actually stopped selling oil. Oil was actually a very important resource for Japan at that time. For the Japanese people, and in the 80s, all the oil that came to Japan came from America. America said that it would start selling oil again only on one condition. That you first give back the areas of China that you occupied and break your alliance with Germany and Italy.
But doing this meant that the Japanese emperor would have to give up his dreams of creating a Greater Asia. So he thought to himself, brother, you go. America, we will adopt another path. They saw that the areas of Malaysia and Indonesia have good oil and other resources. Why not occupy these areas and extract the oil ourselves. Then there would be no need to depend on America. But there was just one problem. why did us bomb hiroshima and nagasaki?
reasion of come america in world war 2-
Indonesia was the Dutch East Indies at that time. So it was under the control of the Dutch. And Malaysia was British Malaya at that time and was under British control. Both the British and the Dutch were allies of America. If these countries were also attacked, it meant that America could attack us.
Because America’s friends are being attacked. Here it may be good that America does not attack us. But after that, when we will go to occupy the country of the Philippines, which was actually America’s territory. At that time, America had made arrangements for the Philippines. It had colonized it. Then America will definitely attack us back because we will be snatching America’s territory again. And how can the dream of Greater Asia be fulfilled without the Philippines. So now only one option is left. We will occupy all these areas. But in case America attacks us, then we will have to silence them. America is already more powerful than us.
If a long war continues, we will lose. But if we secretly attack America’s military bases. If we blow up all their fighter planes, all their ships, then what will happen? Then how will they attack us? With this thought, on 7 December 1941, Japan makes a surprise attack on USA’s Pearl Harbor base. December 7, 1941 F overhead Jap raiders are on the Loos with warning they circle Pal Harbor in the city of Lulu, The surprise attack is borne of more than 350 Japanese Navy aircraft. why america attacked hiroshima and nagasaki?
They drop bombs. And within two hours, 19 US Navy ships, 188 military aircraft and more than 2000 US military personnel are destroyed. A few hours later, Japan suddenly takes over the Philippines. But if seen realistically, this was a very stupid thing. What Japan did, children think like this. Look, I will go and kill them first.
So that they cannot kill me, and then I will go and take over their territory. And because they have said that they will not interfere in the war. So that’s why I am safe. But obviously, if you take over the territory of a big country like the USA, attack their military base. And then expect them to sit quietly, this will not happen. Obviously, in response to this, America officially declares that now it is also joining the war. And America starts a war against Japan. why did us bomb hiroshima and nagasaki?
This was the point when America officially evolved into World War II. After this, Britain and China also declared war against Japan. And seeing this, Nazi Germany and Italy also declared war against the USA. 3 days later, by the end of 1941, World War 2 was in full swing.
Germany is surrendered-
All these big countries declared war against each other. After this, without going into much detail of the actual war, Italy surrendered by the year 1943. Hitler committed suicide on 30th April 1945 by shooting himself and after that Germany also surrendered. So, only Japan is left in the Axis powers which has not surrendered. Despite continuous losses, the Japanese emperor is not ready to surrender.
some context Japanese fascism-
At this point, it would be interesting to go into some details of the Japanese fascism. What was the actual matter? Friends, the Japanese common public was being brainwashed in a huge way. There was a Maharaja in Japan who was the Japanese emperor. His hero was a hit. At that time, people were told that this emperor is a gift from the god. Literally, people used to compare him to god. So whatever they say, believe it blindly, if you don’t, then you are against us.
If our Japanese Emperor has said that we will go to these countries and occupy them, colonize them, do it for their good. He is right. We are going to war. We are going to war for a good purpose. Whoever opposed the war, actually in Japan they were hunted down and killed. why us dropped atomic bomb on hiroshima and nagasaki?
For their country, for their own sake. America and the other allied countries were hoping that because of the war unemployment in Japan has increased so much that people don’t have food to eat. There is a lot of starvation. Maybe the common people of Japan will now stand up against their emperor and under that pressure the emperor will surrender. But this never happened. Because of these reasons.
America’s stretagy- why did us bomb hiroshima and nagasaki?
America saw that only one way is left now. A full scale invasion, By invading Japan I mean sending their military and going there on the ground they overthrow the Japanese emperor.
So America makes a plan. Operation Downfall is the last major battle fought between America and Japan.
The Battle of Okinawa If you look at the map between 1st April 1945 and 22nd June 1945, there is an island quite south of Japan called Okinawa, America sends its military to go on the ground and physically capture this island and if any obstacle comes in between then it should be removed. After this we will do our full scale invasion.why did us bomb hiroshima and nagasaki?
Operation Downfall-
Operation Downfall. But this battle of Okinawa shocked America. The Japanese people were not ready to accept defeat. Every person was ready to fight till his last breath. Even the last person left was fighting till the end. Continuous kamikaze attacks were seen. Suicide bombs one after the other.
There was no question of surrender. This meant that it was a very difficult task for the American forces to defeat the Japanese forces. This is why the Battle of Okinawa is called the bloodiest battle. The event that happened in the Pacific won the battle. But its price was very heavy. 12000 American soldiers were killed, more than 50000 were injured, on the other hand 1100 Japanese soldiers were killed. The people living on Okinawa Island are called Okinawans. More than 1 lakh Okinawans were killed in this one battle. This meant 1/4th of the population of the entire island, 25 people lost their lives. why did us bomb hiroshima and nagasaki?
initial point- why did us bomb hiroshima and nagasaki?
After hearing these statistics on the entire island, the US military heads thought that our Operation Downfall will not work in this way. I mean maybe if we send our entire army there, it will work. We will win but at what cost. 12000 people of our army were killed in this small island. If we try to capture other islands, if we try to defeat Japan on ground in this way, then how many more of our people will be killed.
On top of that, how many of their people will also be killed is unimaginable. And this war will drag on for many years. Because the Japanese public has been so brainwashed that it is not ready to surrender. America and the Allies thought that some other method will have to be adopted here. To make Japan surrender, on 12 April 1945. why did us bomb hiroshima and nagasaki?
Franklin D. Roosevelt USA president-
The US President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who had been the US President for many years, went through the entire World War 2 and became the Vice President Harry Truman. The new President of America now has the responsibility of finding a solution to this war with Japan. Let us consider different options here. If we try to negotiate with the Japanese Emperor Hero Heat, maybe that thing might work. But they don’t think it will work.
Because the Emperor would not surrender under any circumstances. He had already made this thing clear.
Atomic Bomb and its Development-
At this time he comes to know about a top secret US military project called The Manhattan Project where a lot of scientists were working secretly. To make the world’s first atom bomb, this atom bomb was tested on 16th July 1945 in a bombing range in New Mexico and the test was successful. Truman feels that he has found his solution. He discusses this with other top military officials and government heads about the manner in which the bomb would be dropped. They decide that one last warning should be given before dropping it.
America’s last warnong for japan- why did us bomb hiroshima and nagasaki?
26th July 1945 Forts Dam Declaration to Japan. US President, China’s President and Great Britain’s Prime Minister come together and demand unconditional surrender. They give this warning to Japan that if Japan does not surrender, there will be consequences. Promote and utter destruction – total destruction without specifying exactly what that means. The Japanese had never even dreamed of such destruction, that a weapon like the atom bomb could even exist. why did us bomb hiroshima and nagasaki?
By this point of time in the world, it is said in July 1945, that the anti-war sentiments among the general public in Japan had increased a lot. People were getting troubled. They were dying of hunger because of this constant fighting. There was a lack of jobs. The economic condition was bad. But they couldn’t stand up and fight against their own military and emperor, unless the military supported them. The Japanese emperor actually agreed to surrender when he was told that he could retain his power and some occupied territories would actually be allowed to remain under him. But America wanted an unconditional surrender. So on 29th July 1945, Japan rejected this Ports Dam Declaration.
why did us bomb hiroshima and nagasaki?
After this, on 3rd August, US President Harry Truman authorized the dropping of the atom bomb on Japan. On 6th August 1945, a Boeing B29 plane passes over Hiroshima city. It is kept in this plane. Little Boy Atom Bomb is a very ironic name for the world’s first atomic bomb used in warfare. A small child 8:1 This bomb is dropped on Hiroshima. And America becomes the first and only country in the history of the world to use nuclear weapons. why us dropped atomic bomb on hiroshima and nagasaki?
painful story about this bomb blast-
People who were present in Hiroshima that day and survived tell a very painful story about this bomb blast. They say that first they saw such a bright light that many people became temporarily blind and immediately after that a terrifying sound was so loud that many survivors suffered permanent hearing loss. Then the temperature of 4000 degrees Celsius on the ground intentionally vaporized the people who were present there. This happened so quickly that the shadows of the people remained on the ground. In a way, those black shadows remained frozen inside the stones.
There permanently, which we can see till today. Those who were not killed intentionally, could not understand what actually happened. Here, before they could try to understand, the shock waves came and due to the blast temperature changes, such strong winds started blowing that it almost became a hurricane. Then the broken pieces of houses and the rest of the crushed glass started flying into the air. A few minutes later, when the winds calmed down, people looked up at the sky and all they saw was black toxic dust. why did us bomb hiroshima and nagasaki?
Unbelievers, 15 minutes ago there was a golden blue sky. The sun was out. And now suddenly everything is filled with black toxic fumes.I’ll keep it brief. Because it is very disgusting and disturbing. I just want to say that people’s skin started peeling off. People were suffering from thirst. About half an hour after the blast, it started raining. The thirsty people thought that it was good news. But actually the toxic dust that was in the air mixed with moisture. Which formed clouds. This was not any ordinary rain. Every drop of rain was black in colour, grease was dripping from the sky and it was very poisonous.
Usually, whenever there is a disaster, ambulances reach a city, doctors reach to help the people but here 90% health care workers were actually killed in the bomb blast and many hospitals were destroyed. So who would help the people who were not killed intentionally? Many of them actually died after a few days, a few months due to radiation sickness. The fanatic people in the Japanese military refused to even meet us. They did not even hold a meeting, they said that what is the big deal. They just dropped another bomb, a slightly bigger bomb. There is no question of surrender. The Japanese emperor still refused to surrender. why did us bomb hiroshima and nagasaki?
why did us bomb hiroshima and nagasaki?
In response to this, three days later on 9th August 1945, America drops another atom bomb. This time over Nagasaki at around 11:00 am. Another Boeing B29 plane flies. This time it was an even more powerful bomb. Its name was Fat Man. The mushroom cloud formed in the sky due to this bomb explosion becomes even bigger. Immediately 40000 people die. And 6.7 sq km city gets destroyed. Although this atom bomb dropped on Nagasaki was even more powerful. But this time there are fewer casualties. There are many reasons behind this. why did us bomb hiroshima and nagasaki?
The first is that when the news of Hiroshima spread to other cities, pamphlets had already reached the people. That something like this could happen in your city too. The people had gone to the outskirts away from the city center. Apart from this, there were hills around the city this time. Because of the hills, the impact of the explosion was less. Hiroshima was flat. There were no hills. There were no mountains. So the impact was more there. why did us bomb hiroshima and nagasaki?
japan decide to surrrender-
In total 2 lakh people were killed in these two bombings. 95% people were actually civilians, common people. Not military people. After this finally the Japanese Supreme Council meets. Some people are afraid to discuss surrender. Now finally if we do not surrender, America will keep dropping bombs on all our cities one by one. But many people sitting in the council are still completely against it.
When voting is done in the council regarding surrender, the result of the voting comes out regarding surrender. Three people are in favor of it. Three people are against it. Now what should be done? To break this tie breaker, the Japanese emperor is asked. What is his opinion and finally their emperor agrees. Atomic bombs were not the only reason behind surrender. What was the real matter? Just a few hours before the bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, the Soviet Union had also attacked. The area of Manchuria in North China was above Japan. why did us bomb hiroshima and nagasaki?
Japan had occupied it. Soviet Union attacks here. And takes control of this area. So on one side bombs were being dropped from the US. On the other side Soviet Union was attacking their cities. On top of that, anger of the people was rising in their occupied territories in Japan and South East Asia. These were the reasons why Emperor Hero finally decides to surrender. The time is 905 am the Japanese have been on board exactly 10 minutes. Some military people in Japan were very angry with this. They did not want this at all. And on 15th August 1945, after this surrender, the Second World War ends. why did us bomb hiroshima and nagasaki?
Finally, after this for about 7 years, the Allies occupy the coupe continues. Discussions are held among them as to what would be the conditions. Here, a new constitution is brought in Japan after the surrender. Democracy is established. And the status of the emperor continues in Japan. But he is made just a figurehead. Meaning, there is now an emperor in Japan.
But even today it is just for the sake of telling. There is no power. To rebuild the cities, this is another story of its own. How these cities get restored. In such a wonderful way that if you go there today, you would not even know that nuclear bombs were ever dropped on these cities. The people who were affected by the radiation, obviously their lives change forever. They remain disabled. Their children show disabilities. The chances of getting cancer increase. But thankfully the good news here is that the radiation levels are not that harmful in the long term.
After the bombing-
But the biggest question that arises here is, was it justified from USA’s perspective? Dropping the atomic bomb and killing 2 lakh people? Was this decision of the US President right or wrong?
Today, answering the morality of this question is not as easy as you think. American President Harry Truman never apologized. He never showed any regret for these bombings. And I thought it was a blessing. I thought it could be used as a blessing. I never thought about it being a curse weapon that won the war and I didn’t think it was eradicated because he and many US diplomats and military people believed that the bombing that we did was necessary. There was no other option. We have their argument that America had only two options left. The first was Operation Downfall to end the war and the second was dropping the nuclear bombs.
The original plan of most military officials was that Operation Downfall would be carried out here. But then the Battle of Okinawa happened and it became clear how many people were being killed. In this battle, the Japanese people were not at all ready to surrender. They were ready to fight till their last man. After that battle, America estimated that it would take at least 10 years and 1 million US soldiers would be killed if we kept trying in this way on the ground. From their perspective of fighting the Japanese army, they say that 2 lakh people killed by the atomic bomb is not a small number.
But 2 lakh people is less than 1 million US soldiers. And as far as radiation is concerned, their argument is that they did not know that its long lasting effects would be seen. Even after the nuclear bomb, people would suffer from diseases due to it. Even later, people would experience symptoms of radiation sickness. The scientists behind the Manhattan Project knew how much radiation would be released, but they didn’t know what effect it would actually have on the human body. Testing had never been done in such detail before. why did us bomb hiroshima and nagasaki?
So America’s argument here was simply either 2 lakh people should die or 1 million people should die. We chose 2 lakh people. But many critics argue that America actually had other options.
First of all, it is said that if the objective was to make the Japanese military surrender, then why did they drop the bomb at a place where 95% civilians were killed? The general public was killed. The bomb could have been dropped on any Japanese island where there were only military facilities.
And that would have made them see that this thing can happen to us and then they might have surrendered. But the counter argument of the US military is that the Japanese leadership was brainwashed in such a way that they would not surrender under any circumstances. They did not surrender after Hiroshima. So why would they surrender if a nuclear bomb was dropped on a small island?
Experts also say that actually the US could not test out more nuclear bombs at different places because they had only two bombs readily available and two were being prepared. So they had to choose such a place from where the military would feel that something would actually come out. The second argument which is said against dropping the bomb is that actually the Soviet Union had evaded a few hours before the bomb was dropped on Nagasaki and Japan would have surrendered anyway.
At least the bomb that was dropped on Nagasaki. The second atomic bomb that was dropped. That was absolutely a point. There was no need to drop it. America just had to wait for some time. Some experts also argue that dropping the atomic bomb was not the real reason. The real reason behind Japan’s surrender was the Soviet Union’s evasion. After this, a third and final argument is raised. Here it is a moral dilemma.
The question is who gave the US President the right to choose whether these 2 lakh people will be killed here. Or potentially 1 million US soldiers will be killed there. It is very easy to take this decision sitting miles away in your office. That obviously we choose this decision. Because less people will be killed here. But would he have taken the same decision if his own family was present in Hiroshima or Nagasaki? Would he have said it even then? That I dropped bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and even if my family is present there, only 2 lakh people will die. Here, 1 million people are saved.
Conclusion-
It has been shown very well. There is a Hollywood movie of 2015, Eye in the Sky, which depicts this dilemma very well. What is your opinion here? Friends, what do you think after listening to the whole story? Was it justified? Dropping atom bombs from America’s perspective? Was it a right decision or a wrong decision on Hiroshima and Nagasaki? It was a right decision. Tell us in the comments. This is a big debate even today. A survey was conducted in the year 1991. The same question was asked to Americans. So 63% of Americans believe that these bombings were justified. But when the same question was asked to Japanese people, only 29% of Japanese people believe this. that dropping the atomic bomb was a justified action. But still you can see that in Japan the number is not at 0. And in America the number is not 100%. Because this question is not that easy. One good thing is that the world got a lesson after this incident that we should not use nuclear bombs. The impact that they have is so dangerous. No country would want any people to have to go through all this. And thankfully, till today no other country has used nuclear bombs after that.
