Please note that there are two posts needed to successfully complete the discussion board assignment. An initial post addressing the discussion board topic is due by end of day Saturday. A response post to at least one other student is due by end of day Tuesday.
Do you think the United States dropping of the second atomic bomb (on Nagasaki) was justified? What details of this event support your rationale?
Before you respond to your classmates, choose someone who disagrees with you, and adopt their alternative point of view. In your response to classmates, point out objections based on details that were not previously considered. After you have considered the opposing viewpoint, discuss how this forced consideration of the other viewpoint has made you change your mind, refine your original argument, or realize how complicated this past moment in history actually was.
REPLY TO:
I believe that dropping the second atomic bomb on Nagasaki was justified, given the circumstances of World War II at the time. Even though it was a tough decision, it ultimately helped end the war and saved lives.
Firstly, Japan hadn’t surrendered after the first bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. They were still fighting, and it seemed like the war might drag on, causing more death and destruction. Dropping the second bomb was a way to show Japan how powerful these weapons were and convince them to surrender.
Secondly, the United States wanted to avoid a long and bloody invasion of Japan’s mainland. Such an invasion would have cost many more lives, both American and Japanese. By using the bomb, they hoped to force Japan to surrender quickly and bring the war to an end.
Lastly, the decision was made with the information available at the time. The United States didn’t know for sure if Japan would surrender without another bomb. They had to make a tough choice to try and end the war as soon as possible.
