Quote:
Originally posted by irateplatypus
The dynamics of a militaristic Japan are so different from what we in the West know (i'm assuming most of the TFP audience is Western), its hard to empathize with their political climate. I do know the Emperor's cabinet nearly averted being swept under by a coup in the days leading up to the Emperor's address to the nation. There was so much indoctrinated nationalism, its hard to believe that negotiations or embargos could have brought the war to a conclusive end. but, i'm all for re-examination of history to help us better avoid us using the bomb in the future.
this is a bit of a tangent, but i think dropping the bomb on mt. fuji would have been more devastating to the japanese than losing twice as many as they did.
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I cannot deny any of what you have said. Still, the timing of the bomb was rather hasty -- one could have attempted negotiations before dropping the bomb. And considering the high popularity of Gen. MacArthur following the war in Occupation-era Japan, I wonder how strong the spirit of nationalism was in 1945 compared to 1941. I'm sure there were many hard-core militarists -- the question is, how many?