REFLECTING ON THE ATOMIC BOMBINGS OF HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI


By bblouin
A tricycle and helmet are displayed at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Hiroshima, Japan, June 1, 2016 representing the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Although others get more use (thankfully), the atomic bomb is one of the most influential weapons in history. Ever since the Hiroshima bombing in 1945, the world has never been the same. Japan has the unfortunate claim to being the only nation that has ever been struck with nuclear weapons following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II. For some, the strikes were inevitable and justified. For others, they were simply another terrible example of the lack of humanity in war. No matter where you stand, it’s undeniable that Little Boy and Fat Man changed the world.

Why Did the Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Happen?

There were many reasons for the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This includes an unconditional surrender by Imperial Japan, a quicker resolution to the war, a definitive flex of power by the U.S., and the opportunity to test an atomic bomb in real situations. Many fighting for and ruling the Empire of Japan refused to surrender unconditionally, even after devastating firebombing campaigns. While the aftermath of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki is nothing to simply shake off, the firebombing runs from America were devastating in their own right. Tokyo took major losses but overall, there was destruction of 40% of Japan’s urban centers, forcing millions into homelessness and killing as many as 330,000 civilians. Despite all of this, Japan continued to fight while the Allies demanded an unconditional surrender at the Potsdam Conference. At this rate, the U.S. believed if World War II continued, millions of Japanese citizens would die, along with those fighting on all sides throughout the Pacific Theatre. Some believe that even without dropping the atomic bombs, Japan would have been defeated; however, the cost of human life may have been much higher. The opportunity to end World War II was also a chance for the United States to position itself as an undeniable world power. Unlike Europe, the Soviet Union’s role was not as large, yet, in defeating Japan and the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was an unmissable message to the world that the U.S. was not to be messed with. Furthermore, though there were tests beforehand, real combat usage for an atomic weapon was non-existent. Dropping the bombs helped the U.S. better understand how they affected warfare and responses from affected nations.

Little Boy

The first atomic bomb used on Japan was Little Boy. It struck Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Made of uranium, the weapon virtually erased the city off of the planet with its force, killing nearly 300,000 civilians and another 43,000+ Japanese troops. Making things worse, there are as many as 200,000 who would die in the months and years that followed. This was due to radiation and various health complications. Operation Centerboard I was the mission that greenlit Little Boy being dropped from the Enola Gay B-29 bomber that day. The world hasn’t been the same since.

Fat Man

The bombing of Hiroshima was an incredible show of force; however, Japan was not ready to end things and continued the war. Three days later, on August 9, 1945, the U.S. dropped another atomic bomb on Nagasaki, a 21-kiloton plutonium weapon, Fat Man. Incredibly enough, the bombing of Nagasaki wasn’t meant to happen. The 263,000 or so who died, overwhelmingly civilians, faced this unthinkable horror because of the weather. Nagasaki was a target of bombing runs already. This is because it was a prime place to build hips. Additional reasons include its infrastructure, and proximity to the East China Sea. Some people left. However, many stayed and endured the attacks, keeping the population higher than it would have been if more civilians had evacuated. The original target of Kokura, now found within the city of Kitakyushu, was spared after unfavorable weather conditions made Americans pass the city due to poor visibility. Weather conditions also inspired the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. They were stemming from fears of typhoons and other variables that could make such attacks impossible.

The Effects of Atomic Bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki Continue Today

Unfortunately while dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended fighting, there were several health risks. They have continued to affect families for generations. This includes issues with childbirth, an increased risk of cancer, and mental health effects like depression, and PTSD. Furthermore, mutually assured destruction (MAD), additional advancements in nuclear weapons, and the threat of blowing ourselves out of existence are real, complex geopolitical issues still felt in recent conflicts. For those who lived through the time period of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and all who came afterward, life was forever changed since those fateful days in what was possible by man—this time, not for good. Suggested reads:


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