Multiple Effects Of The Atmoic Bomb

The Multiple Effects

of

The Atomic Bomb

by

Wally Winters

History 122

Scott Wade

Fall, 2007

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Outline

Thesis: The dropping of the Atomic Bomb on Japan by the United States had very different but lasting effect on Japan, the United States, and the World.

I. The atomic bombing affected Japan through an overwhelming loss of life,

destruction of property and long-term illness plaguing thousands.

a. Japan's substantial loss of life was like no other natural catastrophe known to man at that time.

b. Hiroshima and Nagasaki were essentially destroyed in a matter of seconds.

c. The ill effects of the radiation fall-out plagued Japan residents for years.

d. Japan surrendered as a result of the atomic bombs.

II. The United States justified the dropping of the atomic bombs as a way to save American lives, erase the perceived threat of invasion by the Soviet Union, and a show of American military might.

a. The dropping of atomic bombs on Japan saved American lives.

b. The threat of invasion by the Soviet Union was a concern of the United States.

c. The cold war between the United States and Russia escalated the possible

destructive power of nuclear weapons changing American policy.

III. The creation and use of atomic weaponry changed the direction of military dominance for the United States and throughout the world.

a. The United States after World War II was recognized as a first world country.

b. The creation and discovery of atomic energy changed production of machinery and weaponry.

c. Creation of such a mass destructive weapon has put the world under threat of extinction.

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The Atomic Effect on Japan

"The scientists who worked on the first atomic bomb knew they could change the course of history." (1) As time would reveal, that is exactly what happened. The atomic bombing of Japan resulted in an overwhelming loss of life, destruction of property and long-term illness plaguing thousands. The crew of the Enola Gay described the vision of the bombing as "a mushroom growing out of the ground, with white cloud at the top and yellowish clouds enveloping reddish-black clouds, creating a color that cannot be described as while, black, red or yellow" (2). It is said that the mushroom cloud reached heights in excess of 12,000 meters in a matter of minutes, the nuclear blast ravaging the city in seconds. December 7, 1941 may indeed live in infamyÐ'...but the day of the Atomic bombing would not soon be forgotten by the Japanese, and the World.

Japan's substantial loss of life was like no other natural catastrophe known to man at that time. If you were to review 10 sources, you would get 10 different answers on the number of people killed in Hiroshima; but "by the end of the 1945, the death count caused by the bomb had risen to 140,000" (3). Some died instantly from the blast, others suffered over days and even months with the ill effects of radiation exposure. Over 70,000 people died instantly at ground zero. "Those who survived the initial blast saw a flash of blinding light, felt a rush of searing air, and heard a deafening roar. Thousands were struck by flying debris and even more were burned by heat ranging from 5,400 to 7,200 degrees. The heat was so intense that it melted skin from some people's bodies." (4) As late as 1971 a person was diagnosed with medical effects from the atomic bomb; there are certainly more that could be discovered today.

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Hiroshima and Nagasaki were essentially destroyed in a matter of seconds. Every living thing inside a half-mile of the impact died instantly. It is said that the bomb "contained more power than twenty thousand tons of TNT, a force 2,000 times greater than any bomb ever used before" (5). Buildings, roads, bridges and communications were all destroyed instantly. President Truman informed Japanese officials of the destruction of Hiroshima, but communications in the country were cut so quickly that Japanese officials never got the word and dismissed Truman's news as propaganda. There were no hospitals remaining, no shelters to take the injured to. Those buildings that were built for earthquakes were still damaged on one side and burned completely inside. No structure went unscathed.

After the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan refused to stop fighting. Even when the Soviet Union declared war on Japan on August 8th, 1945 Japan still refused to surrender. President Truman had already set into motion a plan to bomb a second atomic bomb on Japan. The second bomb was initially to be dropped on Kokura, but cloud covered did not allow the pilots clear access to the city. Thus, they headed for their secondary target at Nagasaki. On August 9, 1945 a second atomic bomb, just as powerful as the first, was dropped on Japan. Japan had no choice but surrender after the devastation witnessed as a result of the second atomic bomb. They surrendered the day following on August 10, 1945. World War II had officially ended.

The Atomic Effect on United States

The dropping of atomic bombs on Japan saved American lives. President Truman, years after making his decision, stated that "I knew what I was doing when I stopped the

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war that would have killed half a million youngsters on both sides if those bombs had not been dropped. I have no regrets and, under the same circumstances, would do it againÐ'...." (6) Advisors close to the President had told him that a Japanese invasion would cost between 250,000 Ð'- 500,000 American lives. This made his decision easier.

At Potsdam, President Truman met with Winston Churchill and Soviet Leader Joseph Stalin. President Truman was planning