ESSAY PLAN
Was The Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 Morally Justified?
Introduction
6th August 1945 Hiroshima, ‘Little Boy’
9th August Nagasaki, ‘Fat Man’
At least 200 000 killed.
Debate: was dropping the bomb morally justified, because it was the only way to ensure a
quick unconditional surrender?
To answer, look at
Brutality of Pacific War and the change in balance of power with Soviet entry.
Decision within American High Command about use of bomb(s).
Aftermath of the bombing.
Debates over legitimacy of the bombing, traditional (right) vs revisionist (wrong).
War in Pacific
July 1941 America cuts trade with Japan, 7 th December 1941 Japan attacks Pearl Harbour-
anger and wish to punish Japanese.
Japan gradually pushed back.
American victory on Iwo Jima,19 February and 26 March 1945 - tiny but strategic island
6281 Americans Killed, at least 19 000 more injured.
Japanese garrison of 21 000 ‘fought to the death’.
American victory at Okinawa,1st April and – 2 July 1945 - small Japanese island
12 613 Americans killed, at least 40 000 more injured.
100 000 Japanese soldiers and civilians killed.
Sustained use of Kamikaze pilots.
= belief Japan will fight to the death on home islands, up to a million Americans could
die in invasion.
Ongoing American attacks by lands and sea
Page 1 of 5
, From Guam, firebombing Japan since January 1945.
Firebombing Tokyo March 1945 kills 100 000 and leaves a million homeless.
Submarines destroy Japanese Navy by summer 1945.
= Japan was militarily defeated by July 1945.
Soviet Union
Neutral until August 1945.
July 1945 Japanese foreign minister Togo tells ambassador to ask for soviet
mediation.
Planned peace envoy under Japanese Prince Kenoye to end war with soviet help.
Postdam declaration 26 July 1945 threatens ‘final blow’- but Soviets not involved.
Night of 8 to 9 August 1945 soviet invasion of Japanese controlled Manchuria.
=Japan would not have fought to the death, looking for peace July and August 1945.
Decision to drop the bomb(s)
Demand for Japanese unconditional surrender
Set out in Postdam declaration.
Fleet Admiral Leahy wants negotiated quicker peace.
Former ambassador to Japan Joseph Grew believes Japan would surrender if Emperor
protected.
Truman became President April 1945 after death Roosevelt and legacy of Pearl
Harbour- vengeance and public opinion.
Truman negotiated with Stalin to enter war by 15th August 1945.
Bomber command Meetings
Debates over where to use atomic bombs – physical and psychological damage.
Possible use atomic bomb in non-populated area.
General George Marshall suggests using bombs on military objective, and that people
warned to leave area.
Discussions other ways to end war.
Atomic bombs seen by some as only way to end war quickly.
General Marshal planning invasion Kyishu for 1st November 1945 – like D Day.
Page 2 of 5
Was The Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 Morally Justified?
Introduction
6th August 1945 Hiroshima, ‘Little Boy’
9th August Nagasaki, ‘Fat Man’
At least 200 000 killed.
Debate: was dropping the bomb morally justified, because it was the only way to ensure a
quick unconditional surrender?
To answer, look at
Brutality of Pacific War and the change in balance of power with Soviet entry.
Decision within American High Command about use of bomb(s).
Aftermath of the bombing.
Debates over legitimacy of the bombing, traditional (right) vs revisionist (wrong).
War in Pacific
July 1941 America cuts trade with Japan, 7 th December 1941 Japan attacks Pearl Harbour-
anger and wish to punish Japanese.
Japan gradually pushed back.
American victory on Iwo Jima,19 February and 26 March 1945 - tiny but strategic island
6281 Americans Killed, at least 19 000 more injured.
Japanese garrison of 21 000 ‘fought to the death’.
American victory at Okinawa,1st April and – 2 July 1945 - small Japanese island
12 613 Americans killed, at least 40 000 more injured.
100 000 Japanese soldiers and civilians killed.
Sustained use of Kamikaze pilots.
= belief Japan will fight to the death on home islands, up to a million Americans could
die in invasion.
Ongoing American attacks by lands and sea
Page 1 of 5
, From Guam, firebombing Japan since January 1945.
Firebombing Tokyo March 1945 kills 100 000 and leaves a million homeless.
Submarines destroy Japanese Navy by summer 1945.
= Japan was militarily defeated by July 1945.
Soviet Union
Neutral until August 1945.
July 1945 Japanese foreign minister Togo tells ambassador to ask for soviet
mediation.
Planned peace envoy under Japanese Prince Kenoye to end war with soviet help.
Postdam declaration 26 July 1945 threatens ‘final blow’- but Soviets not involved.
Night of 8 to 9 August 1945 soviet invasion of Japanese controlled Manchuria.
=Japan would not have fought to the death, looking for peace July and August 1945.
Decision to drop the bomb(s)
Demand for Japanese unconditional surrender
Set out in Postdam declaration.
Fleet Admiral Leahy wants negotiated quicker peace.
Former ambassador to Japan Joseph Grew believes Japan would surrender if Emperor
protected.
Truman became President April 1945 after death Roosevelt and legacy of Pearl
Harbour- vengeance and public opinion.
Truman negotiated with Stalin to enter war by 15th August 1945.
Bomber command Meetings
Debates over where to use atomic bombs – physical and psychological damage.
Possible use atomic bomb in non-populated area.
General George Marshall suggests using bombs on military objective, and that people
warned to leave area.
Discussions other ways to end war.
Atomic bombs seen by some as only way to end war quickly.
General Marshal planning invasion Kyishu for 1st November 1945 – like D Day.
Page 2 of 5
