The United States Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb and the Current Social Impact

The United States used the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 5, 1945 and August 9, 1945. The decision is a controversial one even to this day, with some arguing that the United States usage was justified, as it prevented US soldier deaths and ended the war quickly. Contrarily, others believe that the demonstration of an immensely deadly weapon on civilians was inhumane, and that the other alternatives to ending the war were better. While both points of view hold merit, the United States decision to use the atomic bomb saved US lives and Japanese lives by ending a barbaric conflict that claimed the lives of many.

The main alternative to the atomic bombing of Japan would be an invasion of its main island. This invasion was the main alternative since it presented the highest likelihood of success compared to other options. Success, in this context was to force Japan into an unconditional surrender. The reason the bomb was a better option to its alternative, the invasion, was that the bomb prevented 125,000 US casualties caused by an invasion. Throughout the war, and specifically during the battle of Saipan the ratio of US casualties to Japanese casualties was 7:1, if this was consistent with the invasion of Japan, then there would be 875,000 Japanese casualties, significantly more than the 199,000 caused by the atomic bomb, making it the better of the two options for ending the war in the Pacific.

The introduction and usage of the atomic bomb was substantial because it was the first weapon ever used that could end the world. The mass usage of atomic bombs can lead to human extinction. Although the risks seem high, the mass possession of atomic bombs created Atomic diplomacy, which incentivizes countries to not wage war against one another because doing so could cause the use of another of atomic bombs.

Works Cited

Cox, Samuel. “H-057-1: Operations Downfall and Ketsugo – November 1945.” Public2.Nhhcaws.local, Jan. 2021, www.history.navy.mil/about-us/leadership/director/directors-corner/h-grams/h-gram-057/h-057-1.html.