Introduction

Planes going to attack Japan

Thesis: The United States was unjustified in the dropping of the atomic bomb because it caused devastation to Japan that had long-lasting effects to its country and citizens.

 Summary: In 1945, toward the end of World War II, President Harry S. Truman ordered the United States to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan because of their unwillingness to surrender.  These two atomic bomb explosions are the only usage of nuclear weapons in world history.  The first occurred on August 6^th, 1945 at Hiroshima, which the bomb was called “Little Boy” and then the second on August 9^th, 1945 at Nagasaki where the bomb was named “Fat Man”.  These intense bombings killed 90,000-166,000 citizens in Hiroshima and 60,000-80,000 in Nagasaki.  Not only were many Japanese citizens killed due to the flame burns, horrific flash or falling debris, but many suffered months later because of burns, radiation disease and other injuries and sickness.  Through this devastating event, Japan finally announced its surrender on August 15 to the Allied Powers.  The Instrument of Surrender was then signed on September 2, ending the Pacific War once and for all.   The dropping of the atomic bomb is a very controversial topic on the effects it left for the Japanese people, and also a major contributor leading into the Cold War.