Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Why did the US use nuclear weapons in WWII?

Willravel · 10-03-2010, 04:48 PM

I think the general opinion (correct me if I'm wrong), is the United States used nuclear weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in order to bring about the end of the war with Japan. The terrifying destructive power would be enough to scare the shit out of anyone, even what was left of the Empire of Japan.

I have to question this sentiment, though. In January of 1945, General MacArthur presented a 40-page memorandum outlining 5 different surrender overtures from high-level Japanese officials. Later, in April and May, Japan made three separate attempts, via neutral Sweden and Portugal, to end the war with the United States. The terms stated that unconditional surrender was out of the question (when the actual surrender took place, it was conditional), but were fairly straightforward: they didn't want their Emperor to be tried or killed.

The war with Japan was long and difficult, with both sides taking significant losses, but by midyear 1945, the United States and our allies were clearly winning. Japan's air force no longer existed and most of their navy was gone by June of 1945. In March, the US had bombed Tokyo, killing over 100,000 people. Eleven weeks later, 520 US bombers dropped something like 4,500 tons of incendiary bombs on what was left of Toyko. Two days later came the final attack, with 4,000 tons of explosives finishing the job of leveling the city. Japan's last oil supplies stopped in April, meaning they had lost their ability to wage war.

Subsequently, Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson, President Eisenhower, Brig. General Bonnie Fellers, Admiral Leahy, and even General Douglas MacArthur all publicly questioned or condemned the use of nuclear weapons on Japan. Not only that, but the United States Strategic Bombing Survey concluded the bombings did not defeat Japan nor were they necessary in compelling their surrender.

If my reasoning and research is sound, and please question it if you disagree, why did we use nuclear weapons? Was it about scaring Russia? Was it about revenge for the Peal? I'm curious of your take on this.

10-03-2010, 04:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	Why did the US use nuclear weapons in WWII? I think the general opinion (correct me if I'm wrong), is the United States used nuclear weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in order to bring about the end of the war with Japan. The terrifying destructive power would be enough to scare the shit out of anyone, even what was left of the Empire of Japan. I have to question this sentiment, though. In January of 1945, General MacArthur presented a 40-page memorandum outlining 5 different surrender overtures from high-level Japanese officials. Later, in April and May, Japan made three separate attempts, via neutral Sweden and Portugal, to end the war with the United States. The terms stated that unconditional surrender was out of the question (when the actual surrender took place, it was conditional), but were fairly straightforward: they didn't want their Emperor to be tried or killed. The war with Japan was long and difficult, with both sides taking significant losses, but by midyear 1945, the United States and our allies were clearly winning. Japan's air force no longer existed and most of their navy was gone by June of 1945. In March, the US had bombed Tokyo, killing over 100,000 people. Eleven weeks later, 520 US bombers dropped something like 4,500 tons of incendiary bombs on what was left of Toyko. Two days later came the final attack, with 4,000 tons of explosives finishing the job of leveling the city. Japan's last oil supplies stopped in April, meaning they had lost their ability to wage war. Subsequently, Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson, President Eisenhower, Brig. General Bonnie Fellers, Admiral Leahy, and even General Douglas MacArthur all publicly questioned or condemned the use of nuclear weapons on Japan. Not only that, but the United States Strategic Bombing Survey concluded the bombings did not defeat Japan nor were they necessary in compelling their surrender. If my reasoning and research is sound, and please question it if you disagree, why did we use nuclear weapons? Was it about scaring Russia? Was it about revenge for the Peal? I'm curious of your take on this.