The international debate about the two bombings dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki 76 years ago has still be going on today.
To this day, an apology has been made by the US government but in 2016 Barack Obama attended a memorial service in Hiroshima as U.S. President. The use of nuclear weapons is still a subject of debate in the world. Nuclear bombs became a political strategy despite the agreement not to use them. Various countries have some as a “stopgap measure,” as a deterrent, and merely as a weapon to play along with global players.
The Memorial Day for the victims of the bombing on August 6 not only commemorates the destruction, but also brings up the question of the price of peace. There are also several speculations as to the question, ”Why were atomic bombs used on Japan?” The US says it was to end the war immediately and save the lives of American soldiers.
Japan before the World War II:
Japan was already on its way to becoming a major Asian power in the early 20th century. By maintaining their independence, they were able to leverage their economic advantage into a position of regional power.
Pearl Harbor:
On December 7, 1941, Japan launched an attack on the U.S. Hawaiian naval base at Pearl Harbor. By attacking the harbor, the U.S. entered World War II against Japanese which was also allied with Germany. Over the next four years, the Japanese sphere of influence was significantly reduced, with defenses ultimately falling on Japanese territory in 1945.
Bombs on Asia:
While the Potsdam Conference was still in progress, the first nuclear weapons were tested. Thus, the first nuclear weapon explosion succeeded – the “Trinity” bomb. Harry S. Truman, the U.S. president in 1945, ordered the bomb to be dropped over a few Japanese cities, depending on the weather conditions.
Nevertheless, he informed Stalin, the head of state of the Soviet Union, about his new weapon development. It became necessary for the Soviet to make an effort so that their nuclear weapons will be completed immediately. That was the beginning of an arms race, which occupies Europe until today.
August 06 and 08 – days the world will never forget:
On August 06 and 08, 1945, the bombs fell on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The first city was bombed at 08:15 local time, and of its 300,000 inhabitants, 90,000 to 120,000 died immediately or succumbed to injuries sustained.
Since the Japanese government did not surrender after the attack, the U.S. opted for another bombing two days later on Nagasaki. Between 60,000 and 80,000 people were killed.
The after-effects of the atomic poisoning are devastating: the atomic radiation caused numerous diseases, including deformities, burns and various forms of cancer.
