Wars have occurred for various different reasons all around the world, each nation involved using their best means of defensive and offensive attacks. Weaponry has been updated as time went on, leading us from arrows and bows to powerful guns. In the 1940s during World War II, however, one weapon in particular left a huge impact. The United States’ decision to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II was not justified due to the fact that it was ethically wrong, an excessive use of force, and unnecessary.
Dropping the atomic bomb was ethically wrong for a number of reasons, including the amount of civilians that died or were displaced, and the fact that it was barbarous. The use of the atomic bomb…
The large death toll and the civilians who were targeted are crimes against humanity. The Nippon Times in Tokyo pointed out, “What meaning is there in any international law… in any concept of right or wrong, if the very foundations of morality are to be overthrown as the use of this instrument of total destruction threatens to do” (Document 4). By using the atomic bomb, the U.S threw away the morales it seemed to hold for itself. America is often known for helping other nations when needed, but annihilating hundred of thousands of people completely of a helping hand. Although this was during a time of war and Japan was the enemy, this is beyond acceptable actions of war because of both long and short term implications and death.
As barbaric as the atomic bomb was, the opposing argument would point out that “the face of war is the face of death…the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki put an end to the Japanese war” (Document 3). It’s true that death is inevitable during war time, but over one hundred thousand Japanese deaths is excessive, especially when many were civilian deaths. Although the atomic bomb did bring an end to the war in the Pacific, “the Japanese were already defeated and ready to surrender” (Document 2). The bombing was unnecessary, and an excessive use of…
