Prompt and Utter Destruction Essay Example
Prompt and Utter Destruction Essay Example

Prompt and Utter Destruction Essay Example

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  • Pages: 4 (899 words)
  • Published: May 30, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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Throughout civilizations, war has always been the most devastating tragedy of human existence. As technology advances, its impact on society only worsens.

It is necessary to update war philosophy due to the immense destructive capacity of nuclear weapons. The notion that a single bomb can wipe out tens of thousands of people without warning is terrifying, as seen in America's dropping of two atomic bombs resulting in over 110,000 fatalities. While some Americans view this action as vital for ending the war and protecting soldiers' lives, the casual acceptance of such an event poses concerns.

While killing is considered taboo for those who value human life, war is often glorified despite its purpose being to gain control and power through killing. The death tolls from conventional bombings in Dresden and Hamburg were comparable to those of the atomic bombs dropped on Nagasaki and

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Hiroshima, but the instantaneous horror of the latter was unprecedented. Regardless of the reasons behind their use, both bombings were ultimately cruel and inhumane. In a society that values protecting fertilized eggs and punishing cruelty towards animals with imprisonment, there appears to be no justification for the immense suffering and loss of civilian lives caused by war.

The usage of alternatives instead of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was necessary for the United States. The militarist government in those cities left its people without democratic rights to resist. The bombings disregarded individual lives, resulting in the vaporization of women and children, and the carbonization, death by flying debris and radiation infection of many. With a single sudden flash, families and entire neighborhoods were wiped out.

The bombings in Japan had a profound impact, causing

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damage beyond the physical realm. The spiritual, emotional, and psychological effects were also distressing. People in Japan who were not directly affected by the bombings struggled to interact with the victims. Due to fear and lack of understanding about radiation sickness, they treated victims as if they could spread the sickness to others.

Following World War II, many Japanese citizens who were affected by nuclear radiation felt responsible for their situation despite being shunned and disliked by society. Some believed they should have left the country or carried the burden of being the sole survivor in their family or community. These events resulted in significant stress, leading to elevated suicide rates and lifelong illnesses due to exposure. Additionally, there was an observed rise in cancer rates and birth defects, particularly among pregnant women. The long-term effects on future generations are still being studied and causing anxiety for many in Japan.

To fully comprehend the immense suffering caused by the atomic bombs in Japan, merely relying on statistics and data would be insufficient. The true impact can only be understood through the accounts of individuals affected by this cruel weapon, revealing its sheer evil. Supporters of the bomb wrongly present a false dilemma, claiming it was either dropping the bombs or sacrificing American lives. However, alternative solutions should have been explored before resorting to such merciless actions, let alone using two bombs.

Based on the beliefs of military analysts from the Joint Intelligence Committee in 1945, it was deemed necessary for Japan to accept the inevitability of their defeat, and understand that surrendering unconditionally did not mean complete destruction of their nation's leadership. This initial step towards

surrender would be satisfied through a declaration of war from the Soviet Union against Japan. The global community had witnessed the outcome of when the United States and the Soviet Union collaborated to defeat Nazi Germany, albeit the partnership was somewhat fraught with tension. Stalin held the belief that America and Britain deliberately postponed launching a second front in Europe to ensure the Russians bore the brunt of Nazi forces. Nevertheless, when Truman and Stalin met in July, Stalin confirmed that the Soviet Union would declare war against Japan on August 15th. This declaration placed immense pressure on Japan to surrender.

Despite having knowledge that the Soviets would soon join the war, the Americans dropped the bombs. According to Walker (95), this decision was based on the belief that it could provide diplomatic advantages by making the Soviet Union more receptive to American demands. The US aimed to end the war using atomic bombs as leverage in negotiations with the Soviets. However, these reasons failed to consider all consequences of deploying such a lethal weapon and did not prioritize innocent civilians over American soldiers' lives.

Emperor Hirohito of Japan believed that continuing the war would result in devastating consequences for his country and humanity as a whole. On August 15th, he chose to surrender because he feared that prolonging the conflict would lead to Japan's downfall, annihilation, and the complete eradication of human civilization. The Emperor recognized that the opposing forces possessed a new weapon capable of causing irreparable harm and obliterating innocent lives. This use of nuclear weaponry was a horrifying indication of how people can become numb to the gruesome, revolting, and repugnant aspects

of warfare. Unfortunately, no consideration had been given to individuals in either Japan or America or anywhere else.

Propaganda and patriotism are used to depict war, which leads to innocent people around the globe being impacted. Power and control struggles among nations result in these consequences. A pivotal moment was the Nagasaki and Hiroshima bombings, which should never be forgotten, urging us to eradicate nuclear weapons from Earth entirely.

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