Quote:
Originally posted by irateplatypus
3. The alternative to ending the war with Japan would have most likely been an invasion. If so, the women and children were prepared to fight with bamboo spears and kitchen knives. The death toll on both sides would have been countless. there is no comparison to the 9/11 situation.
|
Another possibility would have been to have been to allow negotiations between the US and Japan -- Japan refused unconditional surrender mainly out of fear of losing the Emperor, which they kept in the end anyway.
Or, the US could have isolated Japan in terms of trade -- without oil, Japan would have been unable to function (militarily or otherwise) and surrender could have been negotiated from that point.
Or, the US could have dropped the bomb on Mt. Fuji or another less populated area. It would have had similar shock value, without the incredible civilian casualties.