Atomic bombs are known as one of the deadliest weapons mankind has ever created. As a result of nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, or both combined, these bombs release huge amounts of energy as they explode. These devices are capable of wiping out entire cities and most of their populations. The Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bombings are an event that proves the true horrors of the atomic bombs.
What was the Cause?
Japan’s refusal to surrender was one of the causes of the bombings. During World War II, Japan and the U.S. had opposing views. Even after the firebombing campaigns, Japan still wanted to keep their emperor in power and plan and carry out their own war trials. On the other hand, the United States wanted unconditional surrender, a surrender where no promises or guarantees are ensured to the surrendering party. Sooner or later, the United States was going to have to invade Japan on land, which would result in heavy casualties. With this knowledge, the atomic bombs were dropped to bring the war to a quicker end.
Another cause was related to the Soviet Union. It was possible that the President of the U.S. at that time, Harry Truman, commanded the atomic bomb to be dropped mainly for two reasons. First, to demand surrender from Japan. Second, to prove the worth and might of the U.S. military and drive the Soviets away from Japan. It is important to keep in mind the lack of trust between the United States and the Soviet Union, which was a result of the Cold War. This cause is directed to the bombing at Nagasaki since the Soviet Union only officially declared war on Japan two days after the first bombing in Hiroshima.
Little Boy and Fat Man
The atomic bomb, known as “Little Boy”, was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. It was dropped by the Boeing B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay, which was piloted by Colonel Paul W. Tibbets Jr. and Captain Robert A. Lewis. Developed at the Manhattan Project’s Los Alamos Laboratory by Lieutenant Commander Francis Birch’s group, it was a gun-type fission weapon, like the old model of the bomb, the Thin Man. The Little Boy carried 64kg of highly enriched uranium. To avoid copycats, the bomb was produced separately in three different plants.
On August 9, 1945, the atomic bomb known as “Fat Man” was dropped on Nagasaki. Like the Little Boy, this bomb was developed at the Los Alamos Laboratory. It is an implosion-type nuclear weapon, composed of a solid plutonium core. The name “Fat Man” refers to the original shape of the bomb, big, wide, and round. It was dropped by the Boeing B-29 Superfortress Bockscar, which was piloted by Charles Sweeney.
The Result of the Bombing
Although the exact numbers are unknown, it is estimated that about 70,000 people were killed in the bombing in Hiroshima, while about 40,000 were killed in the bombing in Nagasaki. Later on, many more died from things caused by the explosions, such as burns, injuries, and radiation poisoning, (the damaging or changing of tissues caused by radiation and high-energy particles).
As a result of the bombings, the Japanese Instrument of Surrender was signed by the Japanese government, thus accepting all the surrender terms provided by the Allied.
The long-term and global effects of the bombings included the start of the Cold War and the large and sudden production of nuclear weapons around the globe. The Cold War was a war between the two superpowers that remained after World War II (the United States and the Soviet Union), along with their allies. The two fought for political, economic, and nuclear superiority.
Conclusion
The start of the Cold War and Japan’s surrender were not the only effects of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bombings. This incident provided an example that showed the whole world how destructive nuclear weapons truly are. Such weapons are now comprehensively prohibited by international law. In conclusion, the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki reveal the true horrors of nuclear weapons.
References:
https://www.britannica.com/technology/nuclear-weapon
https://www.britannica.com/question/Why-did-the-atomic-bombings-of-Hiroshima-and-Nagasaki-happen
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unconditional_surrender
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Boy
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fat_Man
https://www.britannica.com/science/radiation-injury
https://www.britannica.com/question/What-were-the-results-of-the-atomic-bombings-of-Hiroshima-and-Nagasaki
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surrender_of_Japan#:~:text=The%20surrender%20ceremony%20was%20held,Surrender%2C%20thereby%20ending%20the%20hostilities
