The Japanese surrender marks the end of World War II. Though the Japanese believed there is more honor in death than surrendering, the Allies (Great Britain, the Soviet Union and the United States) gave them no choice. “By the end of World War Two, Japan had endured 14 years of war, and lay in ruins - with over three million dead (David Powers, 2011). The major defining factor in the Japanese defeat was the United States’ use of the atomic bomb. The United States’ President Harry S. Truman warned Japan that America would use this “new and terrible weapon” if Japan did not “surrender unconditionally” (The Atomic Bomb and the Surrender of Japan, 2008). President Truman knew that American casualties would be high if they invaded Japan without the use of the atom bomb. On August 6, 1945 a uranium bomb nicknamed “Little Boy” was dropped on the city of Hiroshima. The total dead surpassed 68,000 from the blast at Hiroshima. Just three days after this explosion, another bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, killing 40,000 people (The Atomic Bomb and the Surrender of Japan, 2008). These essentially were the final blows to Japan’s ability to continue this war. At this point it was obvious Japan’s spirits were crushed. Japan was no longer able to do the things it needed to keep its army afloat. The depleted naval force inhibited Japan from importing grain, coil, and other raw materials needed to sustain its war efforts. On Aug 14, 1945, Emperor Hiroito announced Japan’s surrender. The Document of Surrender was signed on September 2, 1945. This document was prepared by America’s War Department and approved by President Truman. The signing ceremonies were held on the battle ship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. The second paragraph of the Japanese Document of Surrender best sums up Japans compliance the United States demands.
“We hereby proclaim the unconditional surrender to the Allied Powers of the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters and of all Japanese armed forces and all armed forces under the Japanese control wherever situated” (U.S. National Archives & Records, 1945).
References
National Archives and Records Administration. The Japanese Instrument of Surrender on board the U.S.S. Missouri. Record Group 80-G. General Records of the U.S. Navy
"The Atomic Bomb and the Surrender of Japan" 27 February 2008. HowStuffWorks.com. 22 March 2012.
Powers, David. Japan: No Surrender in World War Two. Last updated 02/17/2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/japan_no_surrender_01.shtml
References: National Archives and Records Administration. The Japanese Instrument of Surrender on board the U.S.S. Missouri. Record Group 80-G. General Records of the U.S. Navy "The Atomic Bomb and the Surrender of Japan" 27 February 2008. HowStuffWorks.com. 22 March 2012. Powers, David. Japan: No Surrender in World War Two. Last updated 02/17/2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/japan_no_surrender_01.shtml
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