I both agree with and disagree with the above post. It is true that the firebombing of Tokyo was every bit as deadly and destructive as the atomic bombs, yet apparently was not terrible enough to make them surrender. So one could assume that a blockade might not have worked either, and would, in fact, have been slow motion death for tens of thousands of Japanese as they starved to death. No morally better than the bomb.
What if, instead of demonstrating the bomb on a deserted island, they bombed Mt. Fuji, the largest mountain in japan, visible to much of the country, and also a great and historical religious symbol to the people and the Emperor. Perhaps that would have convinced them to surrender, or convinced the Emperor to allow them to. Of course, we'll never know.
There is another consideration. Using the bomb announced to the world that we had it, and it worked. This began a very, very costly arms race with the Soviets (hundreds of billions that could not be spent on social needs) and even today we are dealing with the legacy of nuclear weapons spreading to other countries, and possibly into the hands of terrorists. I'm not sure that was worth a quicker, easier victory over Japan by using the atomic bombs.
No comments:
Post a Comment