effects
The US justified the use of the nuclear weapon in an effort to save the countless lives that would be lost by invading Japan, as was projected based upon the casualties at the Battle of Okinawa ("the Last Battle"). There was debate over the target - which target would have the greatest effect in leading to Japan's surrender?
Hiroshima was selected as the target of the dropping of the first atomic bomb because it was a location of industrial and military significance; there were military camps located there, including headquarters and a command center, and it was the site of the production of military supplies and weapons. It was also a communications center and an assembly area for troops. The estimated population of Hiroshima at the time of the bombing was about 330,000.
The bomb was dropped over Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 It was a a gun-type fission weapon, with 130 pounds of uranium-235 that destroyed 5 square miles of the city. Almost 63% of the buildings in Hiroshima were completely destroyed after the bombing and nearly 92% of the structures in the city had been either destroyed or damaged by blast and fire. It is estimated that 100,000 to 180,000 people died.
Hiroshima was selected as the target of the dropping of the first atomic bomb because it was a location of industrial and military significance; there were military camps located there, including headquarters and a command center, and it was the site of the production of military supplies and weapons. It was also a communications center and an assembly area for troops. The estimated population of Hiroshima at the time of the bombing was about 330,000.
The bomb was dropped over Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 It was a a gun-type fission weapon, with 130 pounds of uranium-235 that destroyed 5 square miles of the city. Almost 63% of the buildings in Hiroshima were completely destroyed after the bombing and nearly 92% of the structures in the city had been either destroyed or damaged by blast and fire. It is estimated that 100,000 to 180,000 people died.
- The effects on the people included the following:
- - People were crushed in their homes and in the buildings in which they were working. Skeletons of those killed could be seen in the debris and ashes for almost 1,500 meters from the center of the blast;
- - Many, many people walked for considerable distances after the detonation before they collapsed and died.
- - Thousands of people developed vomiting and bloody and watery diarrhea - they died in the first and second weeks after the bombs were dropped.
- - Deaths from internal injuries and from burns were common: the heat from the fires or infrared radiation from the detonations caused many burns.
GEO-POLITICAL EFFECTS
The bombing at Hiroshima marked the beginning of a new era of human warfare. Because Japan did not immediately surrender after this bomb, a second bomb at Nagasaki was used and ultimately secured the desired effect: Japan's surrender.
This was not the end, however. It was the beginning of the development of nuclear weapons by other countries and the dawn of a new threat to civilization. The Soviet Union was America's foremost competitor, and the decades of Cold War that followed continued to threaten the lives of many.
Today, the threat of nuclear technology being used by those who do not value life is one of the greatest threats modern-day humanity faces.
Nuclear power has been able to be harnessed as a "clean" form of energy. In this regard, the "atomic bomb" technology discovered can be used for valuable purposes. Although the technology itself is remarkable, some may question if it should be allowed to continue exist with humans who have the power to wield it for better or for worse.
The bombing at Hiroshima marked the beginning of a new era of human warfare. Because Japan did not immediately surrender after this bomb, a second bomb at Nagasaki was used and ultimately secured the desired effect: Japan's surrender.
This was not the end, however. It was the beginning of the development of nuclear weapons by other countries and the dawn of a new threat to civilization. The Soviet Union was America's foremost competitor, and the decades of Cold War that followed continued to threaten the lives of many.
Today, the threat of nuclear technology being used by those who do not value life is one of the greatest threats modern-day humanity faces.
Nuclear power has been able to be harnessed as a "clean" form of energy. In this regard, the "atomic bomb" technology discovered can be used for valuable purposes. Although the technology itself is remarkable, some may question if it should be allowed to continue exist with humans who have the power to wield it for better or for worse.