Atomic Bomb Debate: To Drop, or Not To Drop

3/30/2020

The Challenge: Take the position of a high-ranking American military decision maker. Your daily job, among other important tasks during war years, is to advise the President on important war matters. It is August 1st, 1945, and you have just received word from your subordinates that “the bomb” is ready for use if the President wishes. Advise President Truman on whether or not he should drop the atomic bomb on Japan.

•Paragraph 1: Be sure to start by acknowledging at least three reasons from the other side of the argument (in order to give your decision more credence).

•Paragraph 2: But / However / That being said…It is in my expert opinion that the United States…
•The final paragraph of your post should explain, in detail, why you believe your decision (whether to drop the atomic bomb or not) is the correct decision.

Since I am trying to recreate a debate here, it is very important when you post to check the box that sends an email to you whenever someone directly replies to your post, whether it is me or another student. Like the previous post, lets try to have this completed by 6 AM tomorrow so I can assess, provide feedback, and begin looking at the immediate and long term effects of the Second World War.

14 Comments

Chandler Schurley

3/30/2020 05:19:37 pm

Mr. President, I support using an atomic bomb to help Japan surrender and end this war sooner than later. I realize that critics will say that we are killing thousands of innocent people, we don't know the true power of this weapon, and we don't know the after effects of the environment after the bomb is dropped. While these are valid reason not to drop the bomb, I will offer you a better perspective on the matter.

That being said, let me present my argument for dropping the atomic bomb on Japan. First, this will be a more efficient and quicker way for Japan to surrender. The Japanese have been tough opponents in this war and their culture doesn't promote surrender. Japanese pride has been a tradition for many centuries and I don't see the Japanese easily surrendering unless they feel there is no other option or they are doomed to lose the war. The atomic bomb is a way to do this since Japan does not have one to retaliate. The Japanese started this war with the United States when they bombed Pearl Harbor. We had taken a neutral stance and did not want to be involved in the but Japan's actions made it necessary for us to defend ourselves. If this bomb is powerful enough to end this war, it can act as a deterrent for future wars or aggression by Japan. Another point is that many American lives have been sacrificed in this war already and by dropping the bomb, we are saving future American and maybe even Japanese lives since the war would end more quickly. Another thing to think about is how many families want their sons back from the war. If the families knew we could end it quicker and didn't, how do we explain that to parents that lose their sons as the war continues. Lastly, if the war continues for many years, the American public will begin to not support our efforts and make winning the war even harder.

Given all the reasons it is important to end this war as quickly was possible and I believe the only way to do this is to drop the atomic bomb in Japan. We owe the American people the best possible way to bring our country back to some sort of normal life. We only came out of the Great Depression less than 10 years ago so we don't want our country to slip back into a struggle they just survived. Mr. President, while I know lives will be lost, it will be a smaller number than if we continue to war for the next upcoming years.

bre

4/1/2020 10:49:16 am

I agree with Chandler's points made in our neutral stance and saving/ protecting our future. America was not yet a player in WW2 and helped support both sides. However, Japan poked the bear and brought their fate upon themselves. This follows the saying of actions speak louder than words. A larger and more impactful statement was made that helped the end of the war come quicker.

Camile

3/30/2020 07:54:46 pm

Sir President Truman, as a high-ranking American military decision maker, I advise you to not drop the atomic bomb on Japan. Yes, Japan stands in the enemy side along with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. By bombing Japan, we can show Germany and Italy that the U.S. has power to turn the war to their advantage. Besides, this attack would not be a warning, but justice to Pearl Harbor. 2,403 civilians were killed on the day of the attack caused by the Japanese, the U.S. would only be paying back what Japan did. With the bomb, the U.S. could also avenge China, who had to go through the Rape of Nanjing.

But President, Sir, this is not morally correct! We’ve already seen what the atomic bomb could do with the testing in New Mexico and it’s in your knowledge that there won’t be many survivors. There are hundreds of soldiers that will come home only to find out that there will be no one waiting for them. How could the U.S., a land of freedom and opportunity, be later on known in history as the ones who killed thousands of innocent lives in a blink of an eye. And imagine what it could do to the nation. This nation has been built by immigrants since the 17th century and we are lucky enough for other people beyond white blood to be interested in becoming one with the nation. Unfortunately, we are already facing racial division in the society, especially after Pearl Harbor, the bomb could cause another wave of such acts and cause a racial war in our nation, breaking us apart from what we stand for. The bomb will not prove us to be better than Japan. I know we lost a tremendous amount of lives on December 7, 1941, but by doing the same to them, we become just like them. Plus, what if Japan finds out how to make their own atomic bombs? They were able to modernize just like us in a span of a few years, who knows if they’ll do it again. This isn’t the only way to make Japan surrender. Do not limit yourself to just this option, Sir President.

Belen Flores

3/30/2020 11:56:01 pm

Sir,
Japan has felt isolated, surrounded, and threatened. Japan has undergone various events that have conflicted with their current values. Feeling surrounded, they thought that the attack on pearl harbor would end the hostility that we have toward their empire building nation. Dropping the bomb will allow for many innocent lives to be lost and the effects may last for generations to continue. The effects that this bomb has is unbelievably deadly. J. Robert Oppenheimer witness the testing of this bomb and knows that it is bad, he recalls a Hindu script, the line " I have become the destroy of worlds", and this is what he says everyone felt one way or another.
Even with all this said, the dropping of the bomb will not only provide an end to this war, but it will provide future generations with reasons why to not use this weapon, and to find other alternatives. Just as with the use of chemical warfare in the great war and how we all agreed to no to use this weapon ever again because of it's damage, future generations will agree to the same. Dropping the bomb will show the power that has been developed and how responses will not always be imagined as imagined. This bomb will mark a huge turning point in history of mankind since it could lead to the end of mankind. Weapons should only be used in certain situations and this seems to be the right time. Very carefully with such power. Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Take into consideration these words sir.

Chandler

4/1/2020 05:12:07 am

While I agree the weapon is destructive and in the wrong hands, it can be used to terrorize other nations. We are the United States and we are the example to other nations. We have tried diplomacy with Japan, that failed. We tried fighting them, that was mixed results. We are fighting an enemy that is refusing to surrender and will even kill themselves as the ultimate sacrifice for their war. Remember we did not start this war but without using this bomb, we are going to have to go to every American family and explain to them why their son didn't come home when we had something that could end the war quicker. I respect your opinion general but the sooner this is over, the better for everyone involved. Our President warned Japan in the Potsdam Declaration and they have decided to ignore our warnings.

bre

4/1/2020 10:36:46 am

I also agree with your view on how power corrupts and how weapons can get into the wrong hands. This truly was a turning point in human history, however I believe a lesson and guidelines can be planned out more than deadly responses. Chemical warfare is now illegal in all wars, and there are few to no cases of it in our modern society. Through errors and important events like dropping the bomb on Japan, you see the tragedy and great power one holds to using weapons like this. Without the bombing of Japan, perhaps several other bombings would've occurred later in time and made even more powerful/destructive

Megan

3/31/2020 01:35:18 pm

Mr. President,
You made it my job to advise you on important matters of this country. So far I have not lead you astray on matters of this country. Yes I can see how attacking Japan feels justified at this moment. They did kill many of our own people. And yes, it would show them not to try and mess with America again. I do understand that this would greatly hurt the Japanese making them weak and making our win easier. However the people you are going to kill with this bomb are not the people we should be hurting.

Think about all those people killed during Pearl Harbor. What their families had to endure and what we as a country have had to endure. Why put more people through that? If we were trying to prove a point to the Japanese that we are stranger why not do that without killing thousands of innocent people? That is the cowards way out to kill people who have no means of protection. We will look like scared little kids who use their hearts to think rather than their head. Why would we stoop down to their level? To prove a point? To look better than? Or are we just killing many people who has nothing to do with the death of our own? If we were to bring back those lives lost during Pearl Harbor what would they say? Because I think that they fight for this country not because we are strong and other know that, but because we fight the good fight and win.

Sherer

3/31/2020 02:47:45 pm

As President Truman, I am certainly leaning one way more than the other after hearing the first 4 general's advise. What do the other 5 senior officials have to say on the matter? We are war, time is of the essence!

hannah

3/31/2020 02:52:59 pm

Sir President Truman,
I have just received word that “the bomb” is ready for use if you wish. Mr.President, I advise you that it is the best decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan. It is proclaimed by critics that it will be inhumane, unnecessary as Japan will surrender otherwise, and that there are better options. However, allow me to explain why these are not quite the case.
Japan does not have a history of surrendering. Imperial Japan believes in Bushido, death before dishonor. They are nationalistic and militaristic, having strong belief in self-sacrifice. That is why they attacked Pearl Harbor. Japan will fight in attempt to protect their imperialist nation, no matter the cost. Japan will not surrender easily. I think that this is the least bloody choice. The atomic bomb is the best way to bring about unconditional surrender. The alternative of a blockade and bombardment would kill millions of Japanese, mainly non-combatants. A blockade would induce famine and starve the country should the war drag on. The maritime blockade of the home islands is in effect, and is cutting the flow of food from farms in Korea, on Hokkaido, and in Northern Honshu to the Japanese people. Food shortages are already taking effect. The anticipated death toll should we invade is at least 100,000 allied soldiers. Conventional B-29 Bombing raids are destroying one Japanese city every week, should the war continue, this pattern would also likely continue, destroying 4 more cities in the next month. Something must be done to change the Japanese perception that fighting to satisfy a code of honor is preferable to peace. The Japanese Army is prepared to sacrifice twenty million of its own people fighting seasoned combat troops. Civilians have already lost their lives and will continue to should we not put an end to this war, and the atomic bomb is the most effective way of doing so. This action would be taken in the interest of protecting the lives of both Americans and the Japanese, not in the interest of revenge.

Sherer

3/31/2020 02:55:10 pm

My word, that is a pretty compelling argument General.

Daniel

3/31/2020 06:40:45 pm

Mr president, we’ve received results of the New Mexico Bomb test. Operated on this morning, the results are satisfactory, as a matter of fact the test has already exceeded expectation. Mr. president I understand that you’ve given the Japanese another chance to surrender but shall we really do that if they have already considered it as a threat. What if they plan to attack, we have to take precautions. Making the Japanese proclaim now the unconditional surrender, will only backfire on us. As a high-ranking American military decision maker I believe thats what’s right is to act now before its too late. We know they won’t want to fall before us. Mr. president, I believe that dropping the bomb won’t just stop this chaos, but end it. We acknowledge that we are putting thousands of innocent lives at risk, but we have to understand that waiting for a response from them to surrender will and might just be another attack putting thousands of Americans at risk.

That being said, knowing that the Japanese won’t submit onto us we have to make sure that this bomb does that for us. Knowing that there won’t be any survivors we have to make sure that they don’t see it coming. Mr. President, this bomb is a technology far more advanced that they could imagine, this bomb won’t just be the end for them but the creation of a new generation. Sir, you have to understand that certain types of warfare are only used when one becomes desperate or when one is in a situation of despair. This seems to be the right time. Sir, you have to acknowledge that this is on them, they decided to attack Pearl Harbor, doing so only enlarged the problem, I believe that we are solely responsible for our choices as well as the consequences that follow. We know this is putting thousands of lives at risk but doing so will help the public understand who is truly putting who at risk. Although they’ve suffered many losses they still have a lot of troops remaining and plenty of weapons at their disposal. “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” -Barack Obama

bre

4/1/2020 10:31:17 am

President Truman, I've just received word that the bomb is ready to use with your go. As one of your right hands and citizens of this great country, I'd advise for the bomb to be dropped. However, bombing Japan would stir more conflicts and hate, kill thousands of citizens who make up life for their country, and weaken alliances or bonds already made with this land.
Despite this, dropping the bomb is necessary on a national and global scale. With Japan's takeover plan in expanding outwards and conquering areas like Pacific Islands and border parts of China, they gain more resources, power, etc. Through attacking and wearing down their state, their power will diminish and be more equally (less threatening) balanced. Surrender from Japan will also be more likely to occur, as without the bombing, warriors and everyday people will fight until bloodshed that can't be reversed or recovered from has occurred. Their important figures, such as samurais, represent their strong will and determination that would lead Japan into their complete destruction. Finally, I'd advise in dropping the bomb as it follows with the system America lives on. We are taught to live by our many laws, and their are punishments set in place if we choose to disobey them. Our execution systems, such as murder, is an eye for an eye tactic. What hypocritical country would be make for ourselves by choosing to let Japan off with a warning. By bombing, we will be making a statement and making history. We will be living up to the values we teach our civilians and defend our country. As one of your highest-ranking American military members, I strongly advise you President Truman to drop this bomb on Japan.

Sherer

4/1/2020 11:03:41 am

As an American IN THE WAR, it would be hard to justify not dropping the bomb at the cost of American military loves. Look at the figures from Okinawa, and multiply that for a mainland invasion of Japan and wow. However, something interesting that was discussed, what about dropping a bomb as a demonstration to Japanese command. They see the power and still avoid innocent lives. Maybe a remote pacific island like are later used to test hydrogen bombs. Another point to consider, did we notice the second bomb had as much to do with the USSR as Japan, our enemy? I think this is a great piece of evidence for tomorrow's lesson where we look at tensions between the USA and USSR that developed even before the end of WWII. USA did not want to partition Japan the way Germany was being partitioned, and this certainly influenced the dropping of the atomic weapons. Another point some of you already pointed out, it is going to be pretty difficult to police who gets and who uses atomic weapons in the future after the United States' usage, putting us in a very hypocritical position that is relevant in the post-war years. Overall, great job from all the military generals in the advisory meeting yesterday, I had fun reading your argumentation.

angel

4/1/2020 09:03:10 pm

Mr. President Truman, since I am a high ranking American decision maker, I stand by to advise that the bomb is ready and am encouraging you to follow through and establish the order to drop it on Japan. Japan's stubbornness and resistance is leading to their future destruction. Their irrational and heartless bombings on our casual civilians have brought only war and anger. Japan has to be stopped because of their carless and dark motives toward destruction.

That being said, it is in my expert opinion that the United States should take action against Japan. This is because Japan started a war when they bombed Pearl Harbor. The U.S. had concluded to be neutral in the World War until Japan engaged in a horrific bombing. I believe we have the right to return the favor. I understand that the bomb will bring only more chaos and deaths upon the innocents, yet this has to be a required order so that Japan may surrender. This bombing would be done only to make Japan surrender, in other words, increasing efficiency. Japan's stubbornness and its resistence to surrender has only brought casualties and unnessacary problems. In order for Japan to surrender is to strike fear into its nation and to set and example of being a stronger and more powerful country. I understand that it will also set a bad example, but it will indefinitely stop the further suffering of civilians. Also, many americans are grieving because of the many families disrupted and all the people killed, therefore many wish revenge. I believe that this bombing will corner Japan because of the result of its massive destruction and make Japan realize that they do not have a chance at winning. Japan is never capable of surrendering on good terms because of their past codes of not surrendering and being a disgrace, but rather to die trying. Many Japanese will die trying therefore making Japan realize that their code has only brought destruction upon its people. Their cold actions have now caught up to them.

Atomic Bomb Debate: To Drop, or Not To Drop

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