Was the U.S. justified in bombing Japan with 2 atomic bombs?

Question

Was it fair?

Answer 1

Absolutely!

It precluded the US from having to invade Japan, which conservative estimates had US casualties at well over 1,000,000 with Japanese casualties being many times more than that. By ending the war quickly, it saved millions of lives.

Answer 2

At the time it was certainly justified because it forced Japan to surrender unconditionally and brought the war in the Far East to an end, and WW2 was finally over.

There were some at the time who felt it would have been just as effective to have dropped the A Bomb on an unihabited area to demonstrate to the Japanese goverment and its fantical military leaders the effectiveness of the weapon.

However, that did not happen and America remains as the only country to have actually used atomic weapons on another nation.

Answer 3

The dropping of the atomic bombs on Japan was not militarily necessary as Japan had offered conditional surrender several months earlier. Most of the conditions Japan asked for were granted by Gen. Macarthur with the authority of Pres. Truman. The real reasons for dropping the atomic bombs on Japan were political. There is plenty of information available for any one who wants to do the research.

Answer 4

The truth is that our intelligence was way off and Truman didn´t realize that they were about to collapse on their own, nor that the emperorwas seeking other government leaders to sue for peace on his behalf. Knowing what they did; that the entire Japanese people (look at the mass civilian suicides on Okinawa) and army was fanatic in their defense and that the plan (Operation Olympic) was estimated to cost 1 million US casualties, well, they made a tough but seemingly humane choice. It regrettably is not the last time an intelligence failure has cost many lives.On a positive note, nukes have never again been used on people in a conflict, lets hope it stays that way forever :)

Answer 5

Well, we didn't start the fight with them, they did. When the U.S. dropped the first bomb, still Japan didn't consider even a cease fire, let alone surrendering. It took the second to help them make up their minds. If the U.S. hadn't dropped it then we would be speaking and typing Japanese right now. The loss of life was staggering, but like I said, we didn't start that fight.

Answer 6

Just as fair as the Japanese bombing Pearl Harbor and killing both Military and civilians.
The Japanese Government didn't care that their evil actions could end up causing many deaths to their own people. I think after we dropped the bomb, they received Americas message loud and clear that it's unacceptable to attack us for no good reason!

Answer 7

Sure, by ending the war quickly, it saved millions of soldiers because it were impossible to invade Japan.

Every Japanese would have fought even with a toothpick.

Answer 8

Considering the situation, I don't think our leaders could come up with a better solution--it did end the war. Who knows how many more lives would have been lost if the fighting had continued?
Still, I wonder if they'd given it a little more thought if they could have come up with something better. The number of civilians who died, and the others who suffered from radiation sickness was inexcusable.

Answer 9

A certain little idiot on the Korean Penisula had better be watching the sky???could happen again??? as strung out as the US military is? if all the terrorists and freaks get rolling, they might have to level the field???

Answer 10

It was a terrible but necessary thing to do. Noone wins in a war but sometimes it is the only means to an end.