Because there was a division in the power structure of Imperial Japan at that time...one side was looking for peace while the other wished to continue the war. It was NOT clear who really held the reins of power. There is also the issue that Japan was negotiating with the U.S. in regard to a number of issues while the Imperial fleet was steaming towards Pearl Harbor. In other words, the Imperial government's word was not exactly trusted by nations on the other side of the conflict.
The Soviets were not interested in ending the war with Japan...they rolling over Japanese forces in the north and gaining fresh territory.
More...
The U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey said in its official report: "Hiroshima and Nagasaki were chosen as targets because of their concentration of activities and population."
Aslo the US was intercepting 60% of Japan's communications during the war, so they probably picked up the one where the Emporer admitted to the Soviets he was willing to surrender. They knew a ground war wasn't necessary, they knew Japan was on the edge of defeat, they had total control of the oceans, as well as total air superiority, yet they still dropped 2 atomic weapons on concentrated civilian centers.
The U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey said in its official report: "Hiroshima and Nagasaki were chosen as targets because of their concentration of activities and population."
Aslo the US was intercepting 60% of Japan's communications during the war, so they probably picked up the one where the Emporer admitted to the Soviets he was willing to surrender. They knew a ground war wasn't necessary, they knew Japan was on the edge of defeat, they had total control of the oceans, as well as total air superiority, yet they still dropped 2 atomic weapons on concentrated civilian centers.
I think it was more of a message to the world
Yeah....dropping a bomb on a city of 100 people and wiping it out would really move the kind of people who were running Imperial Japan....shake them to their core. Once again, I say that the Japanese leadership was not of one mind in the Summer of 1945.
All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a thousand enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.
Yeah....dropping a bomb on a city of 100 people and wiping it out would really move the kind of people who were running Imperial Japan....shake them to their core. Once again, I say that the Japanese leadership was not of one mind in the Summer of 1945.
Which may be true, first I have heard of it, but anyway, doesn't excuse dropping 2 atomic weapons on civilian centers.
Nor does the holocaust excuse the fire bombing of Dresden, when the allies literally burned over 200,000 people alive in one horrible night, including boiling a group of teenage girls alive in a water tank.
We need to look at these events, realize how unnecessary they are/were, and do our best to make sure they never happen again.
Which may be true, first I have heard of it, but anyway, doesn't excuse dropping 2 atomic weapons on civilian centers.
Nor does the holocaust excuse the fire bombing of Dresden, when the allies literally burned over 200,000 people alive in one horrible night, including boiling a group of teenage girls alive in a water tank.
We need to look at these events, realize how unnecessary they are/were, and do our best to make sure they never happen again.
Dresden was actually a sort of A-Bomb test run....but, War is Hell. The possible saving of up to one million lives of your side and the total destruction of a nation (Japan) were a couple of the reasons for the dropping of the bombs. Any prolonged siege or addition months of continuous aerial bombardment of Japan would have resulted in a far higher death total for the Japanese and the complete destruction of any infrastructure. What's better the death of several 100,000 via two bombs or the death of millions by famine and months of aerial bombardment??
The Japanese were not an innocent society bullied into war by the United States. They were an arrogant people who practiced genocide in the same manner as their Nazi allies. There is no excuse for the way that they treated the Chinese, the Koreans and P.O.W.s. They were as inhumane as the Nazis.
All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a thousand enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.
Dresden was actually a sort of A-Bomb test run....but, War is Hell. The possible saving of up to one million lives of your side and the total destruction of a nation (Japan) were a couple of the reasons for the dropping of the bombs. Any prolonged siege or addition months of continuous aerial bombardment of Japan would have resulted in a far higher death total for the Japanese and the complete destruction of any infrastructure. What's better the death of several 100,000 via two bombs or the death of millions by famine and months of aerial bombardment??
The Japanese were not an innocent society bullied into war by the United States. They were an arrogant people who practiced genocide in the same manner as their Nazi allies. There is no excuse for the way that they treated the Chinese, the Koreans and P.O.W.s. They were as inhumane as the Nazis.
Well that's according to you.
I"ve already cited the strategic bombing survey, an official US report, stating that a US invasion was not needed..
The one million deaths from a long "prolonged siege" is rediculous. Japan was already defeated miitarily, again according to official US reports. Where you came up with that is beyond me.
I"ve already cited the strategic bombing survey, an official US report, stating that a US invasion was not needed..
The one million deaths from a long "prolonged siege" is rediculous. Japan was already defeated miitarily, again according to official US reports. Where you came up with that is beyond me.
The U.S. Air Force was a brand new service, recently removed from the U.S. Army, at the time. Their report over states their value and ability. The idea that a country can be overthrown by air power lone is now considered impossible, and many PTB did not believe it in 1945. Their input is only one piece of the puzzle that was operations at a theater level.
The one million plus civilian deaths is well with the realm of possibilities. The country was already isolated with no allies and no ability to move foodstuffs into the country via shipping...if a source existed for them. The U.S. plan under a long siege was to disrupt all rail movements with Japan and target all food production facilities. If carried out and the Japanese still refused to yield, the possibilities of widespread famine and the resulting diseases would have easily resulted in massive death totals.
All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a thousand enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.
The U.S. Air Force was a brand new service, recently removed from the U.S. Army, at the time. Their report over states their value and ability. The idea that a country can be overthrown by air power lone is now considered impossible, and many PTB did not believe it in 1945. Their input is only one piece of the puzzle that was operations at a theater level.
The one million plus civilian deaths is well with the realm of possibilities. The country was already isolated with no allies and no ability to move foodstuffs into the country via shipping...if a source existed for them. The U.S. plan under a long siege was to disrupt all rail movements with Japan and target all food production facilities. If carried out and the Japanese still refused to yield, the possibilities of widespread famine and the resulting diseases would have easily resulted in massive death totals.
Again, official reports vs your opinion.
THe bombs weren't even unnecessary in ending the war, they were irrelevant.
Russia had entered the war, aug 8 or 9, and the US had just succesfully tested the first atmic bomb. THe US had all the cards, so forced terms on JApan they knew Japan could never accept- unconditional surrender. When JApan rejected the treaty, Truman was given a green light for the use of atomic weapons, thanks to all the estimates on casualties flying around (OFFICAL ESTIMATES from Joint War Plans Committee, which prepared a report for the Chiefs of Staff, dated June 15, 1945, [provides]the closest thing anyone has to “accurate”: 40,000 U.S. soldiers killed, 150,000 wounded, and 3,500 missing.) Lives may have been saved, but that estimate also dismisses the fact that JApan had already agreed to a set of terms, not hte unconditional surreneder TRuman was insisting on.
It was a message to Russia not to mess with Europe, the first act of the cold war. “So little Harry could show Molotov and Stalin we¹ve got the cards,” Terkel(a prominant social commentator of the time) explained. “That was the phrase Truman used.”
And there are many official statements within the military at the time of the bombing that refuted its use, including the admiral of the Pacific fleet, though his name escapes me and his statement is nowhere to be found.
THere is peanty of evidence refuting the use atomic weapons on Japan, very little in support of them. It was a barbaric act by a bully superpower that had just found some new toys.
Exactly...you're either against terrorism, or you're not.
but what is not being admitted is that the US will never do it again (unless they are attacked first with them) we were already given a reason to do it and we didnt.
but what is not being admitted is that the US will never do it again (unless they are attacked first with them) we were already given a reason to do it and we didnt.
When did you get attacked with them (your reason: see the quote and read it) and didn't use them?
And if the answer is 911 which wasn't even "real" weapons. Just imagine what some countries owe you!
THe bombs weren't even unnecessary in ending the war, they were irrelevant.
Russia had entered the war, aug 8 or 9, and the US had just succesfully tested the first atmic bomb. THe US had all the cards, so forced terms on JApan they knew Japan could never accept- unconditional surrender. When JApan rejected the treaty, Truman was given a green light for the use of atomic weapons, thanks to all the estimates on casualties flying around (OFFICAL ESTIMATES from Joint War Plans Committee, which prepared a report for the Chiefs of Staff, dated June 15, 1945, [provides]the closest thing anyone has to “accurate”: 40,000 U.S. soldiers killed, 150,000 wounded, and 3,500 missing.) Lives may have been saved, but that estimate also dismisses the fact that JApan had already agreed to a set of terms, not hte unconditional surreneder TRuman was insisting on.
It was a message to Russia not to mess with Europe, the first act of the cold war. “So little Harry could show Molotov and Stalin we¹ve got the cards,” Terkel(a prominant social commentator of the time) explained. “That was the phrase Truman used.”
And there are many official statements within the military at the time of the bombing that refuted its use, including the admiral of the Pacific fleet, though his name escapes me and his statement is nowhere to be found.
THere is peanty of evidence refuting the use atomic weapons on Japan, very little in support of them. It was a barbaric act by a bully superpower that had just found some new toys.
Unconditional surrender for all Axis Powers was the acceptable end of the war as agreed upon by the "Big Three." That was the rule. Both Germany and Italy accepted those terms. Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin laid down that law in their last summit.
Your image of Japan as an innocent victim does not match any history that I have ever read or heard of regarding their behavior through the 1930s and 1940s. If you want to tag someone as barbaric...read up on their treatment of other peoples, their conduct of war and their treatment of P.O.W. and civilian prisoners from foreign nations.
All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a thousand enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.
sorry for the misunderstanding. yes 9/11 was a reason to use them. worst attack on our soil qualifies.
wow, so since el queda didnt use "real weapons" it doesnt quailfy as a real attack I guess.
Judging by your great way of thinking, you would and should understand if a nuke of a major explosion(s) went off throughout the States. Or is your country the only one who is allowed to retaliate with such force as an atomic weapon. With people like you in the world it is sure easy to see why you whine about other countries getting the bomb. You wouldn't want what you see on your news to happen at home. Sooooo much better when it is on the other side of the world!
Judging by your great way of thinking, you would and should understand if a nuke of a major explosion(s) went off throughout the States. Or is your country the only one who is allowed to retaliate with such force as an atomic weapon. With people like you in the world it is sure easy to see why you whine about other countries getting the bomb. You wouldn't want what you see on your news to happen at home. Sooooo much better when it is on the other side of the world!
I try really hard to make sense of your ramblings but I just cant. please try harder.
Comments
The U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey said in its official report: "Hiroshima and Nagasaki were chosen as targets because of their concentration of activities and population."
Aslo the US was intercepting 60% of Japan's communications during the war, so they probably picked up the one where the Emporer admitted to the Soviets he was willing to surrender. They knew a ground war wasn't necessary, they knew Japan was on the edge of defeat, they had total control of the oceans, as well as total air superiority, yet they still dropped 2 atomic weapons on concentrated civilian centers.
I think it was more of a message to the world
Nor does the holocaust excuse the fire bombing of Dresden, when the allies literally burned over 200,000 people alive in one horrible night, including boiling a group of teenage girls alive in a water tank.
We need to look at these events, realize how unnecessary they are/were, and do our best to make sure they never happen again.
The Japanese were not an innocent society bullied into war by the United States. They were an arrogant people who practiced genocide in the same manner as their Nazi allies. There is no excuse for the way that they treated the Chinese, the Koreans and P.O.W.s. They were as inhumane as the Nazis.
I"ve already cited the strategic bombing survey, an official US report, stating that a US invasion was not needed..
The one million deaths from a long "prolonged siege" is rediculous. Japan was already defeated miitarily, again according to official US reports. Where you came up with that is beyond me.
The U.S. Air Force was a brand new service, recently removed from the U.S. Army, at the time. Their report over states their value and ability. The idea that a country can be overthrown by air power lone is now considered impossible, and many PTB did not believe it in 1945. Their input is only one piece of the puzzle that was operations at a theater level.
The one million plus civilian deaths is well with the realm of possibilities. The country was already isolated with no allies and no ability to move foodstuffs into the country via shipping...if a source existed for them. The U.S. plan under a long siege was to disrupt all rail movements with Japan and target all food production facilities. If carried out and the Japanese still refused to yield, the possibilities of widespread famine and the resulting diseases would have easily resulted in massive death totals.
Again, official reports vs your opinion.
THe bombs weren't even unnecessary in ending the war, they were irrelevant.
Russia had entered the war, aug 8 or 9, and the US had just succesfully tested the first atmic bomb. THe US had all the cards, so forced terms on JApan they knew Japan could never accept- unconditional surrender. When JApan rejected the treaty, Truman was given a green light for the use of atomic weapons, thanks to all the estimates on casualties flying around (OFFICAL ESTIMATES from Joint War Plans Committee, which prepared a report for the Chiefs of Staff, dated June 15, 1945, [provides]the closest thing anyone has to “accurate”: 40,000 U.S. soldiers killed, 150,000 wounded, and 3,500 missing.) Lives may have been saved, but that estimate also dismisses the fact that JApan had already agreed to a set of terms, not hte unconditional surreneder TRuman was insisting on.
It was a message to Russia not to mess with Europe, the first act of the cold war. “So little Harry could show Molotov and Stalin we¹ve got the cards,” Terkel(a prominant social commentator of the time) explained. “That was the phrase Truman used.”
And there are many official statements within the military at the time of the bombing that refuted its use, including the admiral of the Pacific fleet, though his name escapes me and his statement is nowhere to be found.
THere is peanty of evidence refuting the use atomic weapons on Japan, very little in support of them. It was a barbaric act by a bully superpower that had just found some new toys.
Exactly...you're either against terrorism, or you're not.
but what is not being admitted is that the US will never do it again (unless they are attacked first with them) we were already given a reason to do it and we didnt.
When did you get attacked with them (your reason: see the quote and read it) and didn't use them?
And if the answer is 911 which wasn't even "real" weapons. Just imagine what some countries owe you!
sorry for the misunderstanding. yes 9/11 was a reason to use them. worst attack on our soil qualifies.
wow, so since el queda didnt use "real weapons" it doesnt quailfy as a real attack I guess.
lol...wow. that's comforting.
well there are some around here who fear the US will. which simply isnt true.
Your image of Japan as an innocent victim does not match any history that I have ever read or heard of regarding their behavior through the 1930s and 1940s. If you want to tag someone as barbaric...read up on their treatment of other peoples, their conduct of war and their treatment of P.O.W. and civilian prisoners from foreign nations.
Judging by your great way of thinking, you would and should understand if a nuke of a major explosion(s) went off throughout the States. Or is your country the only one who is allowed to retaliate with such force as an atomic weapon. With people like you in the world it is sure easy to see why you whine about other countries getting the bomb. You wouldn't want what you see on your news to happen at home. Sooooo much better when it is on the other side of the world!
I try really hard to make sense of your ramblings but I just cant. please try harder.
In slow mode for the thick skulled yank!!!
If Chicago were to get nuked by some people from Iraq who don't like the way their country is being bombed you could understand that.
Bah Bah!