Hiroshima Bombing History

In 1940, the United States began funding research and engineering for the construction of what would become one of the most powerful weapons of the era. What was known as the “Manhattan Project” had ultimately created the first atomic bomb in the history of the world. On August 6th, 1945, the United States Air Force dropped this bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. The initial impact of the bomb killed an estimated 53 percent of the population instantly. Many other people died from burns, injuries, and falling debris after the initial impact. Three days after Hiroshima, the United States dropped another bomb over the city of Nagasaki, this time killing 33 percent of the cities population.
Previous to the bombing, the United States joined World War II
Dower describes the conflict as “merciless” and an “orgy of bloodletting that neither side could conceive of avoiding.” Total casualties stand estimated at 18 million. Both sides held a mentality to fight to the finish. With the dehumanization of both sides, both sides were seen as the enemy. Status as a civilian or military personnel did not matter, which would eventually play a role in the justification of the atomic bombing. Many Japanese battled till death instead of being taken prisoner. This aspect of the combat tactics reflected the mindset that the Japanese were the superior race. Eventually, the fighting had to be ceased. As mentioned before, Truman and the Allied powers offered the option of a complete surrender of Japan to avoid total destruction. This document is known as the Potsdam Declaration. In summary, aspects of an unconditional surrender are laid out for Japan and is concluded with a single phrase warning against utter destruction and tactics to control the situation. Because Japan refused the option, the United States followed through with their word and proceeded with the atomic bombing of the two
The bombing shows a one-sided utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is explained to be the concept of ensuring the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest amount of people. It is one-sided because the Japanese have to sacrifice lives of their people to ensure happiness on the side of the United States. Numbers become irrelevant in this argument due to the ethical concept that suffering is not cumulative. Death to an American civilian causes the same amount of suffering as death to a Japanese civilian does. It is in one’s moral obligations to favor those whom he or she has connections with. Truman was the president of the United States and therefore had moral obligations to look out for the citizens of the United