Nuclear War: Case Study of Nuclear Weapons Usage on Hiroshima and Nagasaki

On August 6, 1945, a now infamous day, the United States Air Force dropped a nuclear weapon on Hiroshima, Japan.  Three days later, another nuclear weapon was dropped on Nagasaki, Japan. The weapon was developed by the Manhattan Project in the United States and extensively tested. Harry S. Truman, the United States President, decided the use of the weapon was necessary to ensure Japanese surrender and removal from the Axis war effort in the Pacific region of the world. Truman was criticized by all officials around him for his use of the weapon, but vigorously maintained that the use of nuclear weapons was necessary in minimizing further United States casualties and military spending.

Consequences

In excess of 90% of the total casualties were civilians.

Unlike most other disasters, nuclear explosions have not only short-term consequences, but also long-term natural consequences. Between the two bombings, the nearly 200,000 died as a result of the instant nuclear explosion and the eventual succumbing to radiation manifested as various cancers and malignant tumors. In excess of 90% of the total casualties were civilians, prompting wide discussion at the time over the morals and ethics involved with using nuclear weapons-a debate still raging in this day and age.

After the initial explosions, the atomic and nuclear remnants of the explosion seeped into the ground and diffused through the air. People in nearby township inhaled these toxins and farms began growing, unknowingly, nuclear influenced agricultural products. Both these occurrences led to significant physiological complications for exposed individuals.

In addition to these human related incidents, natural damages include radiation poisoning of several ponds and soil. This poisoning led to the deaths and unnatural transmutations of several native animals.

Citizen Response

In this case of these bombings, like most "successful" military endeavors, the public was caught unaware, leading, obviously, to a heightened amount of casualties. When the plane, the Enola Gay, was spotted flying above the cities, denizens of these two cities simply responded with the normal protocol for air raids, taking shelter in dense, inner sanctuaries within offices, schools and homes. However, the nuclear explosion, completely destroyed everything within its damage radius, leaving many who felt protected dead. After the explosion, civilians immediately ventured outside to search for family members and sift through the rubble, further exposing themselves to damaging radiation. However, most were unable to make any individual progress in retrieving lost items or family members because there was an intense sense of fear and atmosphere of disorganization.

Government Response

Prepared to respond to the normal air bombings and raids conducted by the American Air Force, Japanese government officials were stationed with medical personnel, rubble sifting machinery and plenty of military personnel to create a sense of order. However, after the nuclear explosions, the prepared response was fully inadequate in terms of providing for the needs of the crippled populace. On a national level though, the Japanese government tactfully agreed to surrender very shortly following the attacks. This humbling political maneuver showed great cognition for the power of the nuclear weapon and the devastation it had wrought. Rather than risk further damage, the Japanese Government sought to limit such action from occurring.

In terms of continued response and relief to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Japanese government was very supportive both municipally and economically to these cities, quickly helping to rebuild structures and providing compensation and welfare to those crippled or rendered destitute.

Sources Consulted

Sources

• Lewis, Jon. E The Mammoth Book of Eyewitness: World War II. 2002.
• Holdstock, Douglas and Barnaby, Frank. Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Retrospect and Prospect. 1995.
• "A Bombing Of Hiroshima and Nagasaki" The Manhattan Engineer District. 2004.
• Rummel, R.J. Death by Government. 1997.