Nuclear Bomb Essay

Submitted By danieldzhang
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Pages: 3
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Daniel Zhang
Dr. Gutowski
APUSH T-TH D
3/19/2015
Was Dropping the Bomb Necessary? The decision to drop the nuclear bomb is often times framed as a simple, clear-cut either-or situation: either the nuclear bomb was dropped or a costly and devastating invasion of Japan would have to occur. The arguments appear convincing – the Japanese were known for their tenacity and mentality of fighting to the last man – literally. Yet Tsuyoshi Hasegawa provides a substantial and thought-provoking counterargument. Hasegawa brings up two scenarios that could’ve occurred and using these proves that not only would Japan have surrendered without the use of a nuclear bomb, but that in fact the nuclear bomb alone would not have forced Japan’s surrender. Hasegawa’s most convincing argument is that Japan would have surrendered purely based on the entrance of the Soviet Union into the war. The two points that structures this argument are that firstly, Japanese policy at the time was dependent on Soviet neutrality. Using this piece of information, it is clear to see in this argument that the actions of the Japanese cannot be limited to a two actor scenario where the United States and Japan are the only two players. The fact of the matter is that the war is a global matter, and Hasegawa efficiently structures his arguments based on that piece of information. He convincingly proves that the Japanese would’ve been influenced by the Soviet’s entrance into the war, listing the threats that the Soviet’s would pose to Japan, and explaining how the Japanese would’ve likely surrendered. While that piece of information was the most convincing, Hasegawa further emphasizes the relative triviality of the nuclear bomb in Japan’s decision to surrender. While his previous argument proved the strength and clear influence that the Soviet Union exerted on Japan’s decisions, his second proves that the nuclear bomb was not as important as it has often been described as. By convincingly disproving the leading counterargument, Hasegawa makes a stronger case for his own claim. He specifically mentions Richard Frank’s argument that the nuclear bomb was more decisive in obtaining Japan’s surrender. By thoroughly disproving Frank’s sources and main claims, his own argument is strengthened, and hence much more convincing. Robert James Maddox’s main argument concerned the casualties and cost of the war that would’ve occurred had a mainland invasion of Japan occurred. He argues that the cost
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