Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were nuclear attacks during World War II against the Empire of Japan by the United States of America under US President Harry S. Truman. On August 6, 1945, the nuclear weapon "Little Boy" was dropped on the city of Hiroshima, followed on August 9, 1945 by the detonation of the "Fat Man" nuclear bomb over Nagasaki. They are the only instances of the use of nuclear weapons in warfare.

In estimating the number of deaths caused by the attacks, there are several factors that make it difficult to arrive at reliable figures: inadequacies in the records given the confusion of the times, and the pressure to either exaggerate or minimize the numbers, depending upon political agenda. The United States Department of Energy estimates that, at Hiroshima, the death toll from the immediate blast was roughly 70,000, with additional deaths occuring in the time soon after the explosion and in the decades that followed.  The figures for Nagasaki are slightly less.  Other estimates vary widely, and are as low as 74,000 for Nagasaki. In both cities, the overwhelming majority of the deaths were civilians.

The role of the bombings in Japan's surrender, as well as the effects and justification of them, has been subject to much debate.

On August 15, 1945 Japan announced its surrender to the Allied Powers, signing the Instrument of Surrender on September 2 which officially ended World War II. Furthermore, the experience of bombing led post-war Japan to adopt Three Non-Nuclear Principles, which forbids Japan from nuclear armament.

 References:http://www.cfo.doe.gov/me70/manhattan/hiroshima.htmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/6/newsid_3602000/3602189.stmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_bombings_of_Hiroshima_and_Nagasaki

I'm sorry about all comments in my journal.   I'm not even read them but I deleted my journal by mistake.

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The Japanese and others here in Hawaii, will pay tribute to this day in history tomorrow.........

"The sad thing is that it was absolutely unnecessary in itself because Japan was trying to surrender already before this happened, just not unconditionally as those winning the war preferred it."

absolutely untrue, but a predictable post from someone who has written a virtual library of anti-American rants and propaganda.

War is war, and remember this bombing was done after Pearl Harbor. Nothing to do against racism then.

one wrong doesnt justify another regardless ...... glad i didnt have to live with making that decision ....knowing i was responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths

"Cynically enough weapons of mass destruction are the preferred weapon of non-totalitarian states. They are the leaders in both development and use, and there are no exceptions."

Really? And how did, until recently, the Soviet Union fit into that statement? Or China for that matter. Or North Korea.

I'm all for remembering those who perished and learning from the tragedies of war. But infusing that with hollow ideological statements laced with obvious lies dishonors the people of Hiroshima.

Totally agree with these three statements, But just imagine what would happen if one country does it "today"????

Well, that's a good point. And I think the people who damn Harry Truman can not or are not willing to put themselves in his shoes at that moment in time.

"one wrong doesnt justify another regardless ...... glad i didnt have to live with making that decision ....knowing i was responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths"

if he did not use the atomic bomb, he would have been responsible for even more deaths.

Yep

I want to make it clear that I do not support the use of Nuclear weapons in any way, shape or form, however I find it very difficult to agree with this statement:

"Hiroshima was nothing more than a cruel experiment with racist motives because it were humans considered low enough to be nuked: Asians. Had it been in Europe the weapon would never have been used in the first place."

We should not forget the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but we should also never forget Japan's role and atrocities they commited in this same war. Just go to Kanchanaburi for evidence of how nice they were.....or werent!! They were responsible for the torture and murder of hundreds of thousands of people too.

Racist motives my arse!!!

"Hiroshima was nothing more than a cruel experiment with racist motives because it were humans considered low enough to be nuked: Asians. Had it been in Europe the weapon would never have been used in the first place."

The scientists working on the Manhattan Project (the A bomb) were working with the express intent of dropping it on Hitler's Germany. Hitler was defeated before they finished the bomb.

Japan conducted extremely cruel and useless biological experiments on thousands of Chinese civilians - because they regarded them as inferior human beings, a lower form of life than the Japanese.

I saw a thing on the History channel and a thing on Japanese TV as well, that I wasn't aware of before and both stories were tied together.

On the History Channel I saw a piece that had been kept secret for a long time, the US intercepted and captured a submarine from Germany that was transporting nuclear materials destined for Japan.

The piece on Japanese tv I saw told of a Japanese scientist that was working on plans for the process of making a nuclear device for the German/Japanese Allies.

I think one factor that has not been fully aware by a lot of people is that the US and Japan were actually in a race to develope the atomic weapon at the time, along with Germany. A lot of Japanese and Americans as well are unaware of this fact.

Another fact---- Had the bombs not been dropped thus ending the war, the mainland would have had to been invaded, which the death toll of both civilians and military would have been a lot higher. yes, Japan is a non nuclear poliferator (for arms not energy) probably because they learned first hand how devestating they are.

I didn't know they (Japan) had nuclear power plants until just recently there was an earthquake in Nigata that damaged/ruptured a nuclear power plant.

"Before it was done there were huge discussions whether this thing ought to be dropped because many thought it was inhuman to use it. At some point the Allied commanders came to the agreement that Europe wasn't a suitable target but Japan was. I call that RACISM."

Bull. Show the proof. Put up or stop lying. No decision was ever taken that Europe was not a suitable target because the war in Europe had ended before the bomb was developed.

I call your many posts about a certain religion on this site RACISM.

"Japan had collapsed before August 45 and was just given a shot in the neck."

Funny how a "collapsed" nation was still fighting. In fact, it's well documented that after the two bombs were dropped, a clique of Japanese military officers attempted a coup against the emperor to prevent Japan from surrendering. Please read "The Last Mission." You can get it on Amazon.

"I see the Americans still think it was a bright idea.

That's a promise for the future."

I see you're still spewing hatred. I think that's a promise for the future.

No one commenting in this journal, American or otherwise, called dropping the atomic bomb a "bright idea." Maybe if you were bright enough to have passed reading comprehension you would realize that.

What you've accomplished here is to turn this journal into one of your anti-American slagging matches.

What it should have been is a moment to remember a tragedy and hope that nuclear weapons will never be used again.

Congratulations. On a day when we should be thinking about peace, you've succeeded magnificently in spewing a lot of lies and hate.

What Loburt just said, DITTO!!

here also ditto...read a history book for once

Loburt and trocks compeltely right...

You point to the firebominb of tokyo as proof that the allies (not just america were included ...the the brit's were also you pompus ass) were able to outbomb anyone. The entire pacific campaign shows japans ability and building to deal with bombing attacks. Plus an invasions of japan would have resulted in the death of millions of japanese in EVERy city and not just around the amount of the Tokyo fire bombing (which was also done in dresden, homburg, and other german cities...my ex-wife having grown up there and german friends who would visit discussed it often).

As for a racist experiment we the bombs were not completed until germany fell because we had the help of GERMAN scientists who had been working on the bomb for the Nazis and also trading information with Japan who were working on it as well.

After the bombs were dropped a coup was attempted to prevent the surrender of japan in the hopes of continued conflict would result in a pecae agreement and not surrender. Also there were targets selected for attack which had production and population but not located near farming land and NOT the most major cities which would've caused even greater casulaties!

Here is a site which will give you the most complete story http://www.mbe.doe.gov/me70/manhattan/surrender.htm

japan has nukes now as part of the posturing against n.korea,china

Ok guys thanks for your comments.

I just want to remind everyone that no one can get benefit from the war.

The winner ? The loser ? NO! War is a bereavement of both the correct and the wrong sides, dont you think ?

Maybe last life we all died from this war, who knows ?

sushi_romance>>>> Jai yen yen ja.

sushi_romance>>> I know ja.

testimonial definition

n.

1. A statement in support of a particular truth, fact, or claim.

2. A written affirmation of another's character or worth; a personal recommendation.

3. Something given in appreciation of a person's service or achievement; a tribute.

ref: http://www.yourdictionary.com/ahd/t/t0127100.html

OMG Virtually no one uses testimonials on TF in line with your dictionary definition anymore! It is obvious that paulgh3rd was not sending sushi_romance the 'dictionary definition' of a testimonial.

Im not taking sides here, I have found all comments interesting and educational and it highlights the differences of opinions and the mix of fact and fiction that is spread throughout wars.

It makes you wonder if anyone actually, really does know the truth about what happened.

Lets all thank God that us Racist Americans have never used it again and I think it will never be used by the Racist Americans. Again..Unless provoked into using it by some extremist radical group out there..I will happen..So lets all take a moment of silence and pray it doesn't happen.Remember who out there is working to achieve the end of mankind.