Contents

Introduction

World War II context

In the early 1940s, the world was gripped by a violent confrontation known as World War II. On one side was the Alliance-an alliance of the United States, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and other allies-and on the other side were the Axis forces-Nazi Germany, Italy, and Japan.

With the outbreak of war, Japan actively expanded its possessions in Asia and the Pacific, and Germany sought to dominate Europe. In 1941, when the United States entered the war, it became an important factor in the conflict, supporting the Allies and contributing to the stabilization of the world order.

In mid-1945, World War II was nearing its disastrous end, but Japan continued to resist, refusing to give up. In such a difficult situation, the United States faced moral dilemmas and sought to find a way to end the war that would minimize human losses and lead to the long-awaited peace.

It was at this tipping point that the idea of using atomic weapons to force Japan to surrender emerged. This choice and its consequences were some of the most controversial and darkest moments in human history, leaving a nuclear legacy that is firmly embedded in the minds of the entire world.

Development of the US nuclear program

During World War II, some scientists realized the potential for creating a new, terrifying type of weapon-the atomic bomb. This was the beginning of the Manhattan Project, a clandestine scientific and technological effort by the United States to develop nuclear weapons.

In 1939, American scientists Albert Einstein and Leo Szilard warned President Franklin Roosevelt about the possibility of German scientists developing nuclear weapons. This warning led to the launch of the Manhattan project, which began to actively attract the best minds in the country.

The research team, led by physicist Robert Oppenheimer, focused its efforts on building the atomic bomb. The project was huge and required significant resources. However, thanks to the great minds and perseverance of scientists, the project has made significant progress.

Finally, on July 16, 1945, the first nuclear test explosion codenamed “Trinity” occurred in the New Mexico desert. This historic moment marked the successful development of the atomic bomb and confirmed the great scientific breakthrough of the American people.

With the development of the US nuclear program and the successful test of a nuclear bomb, the question of the use of this new weapon in time of war arose. This decision brought a new level of destruction and fear to the world, ushering in the nuclear age.

The decision to drop atomic bombs

Japan: The situation in the country by the summer of 1945

By the summer of 1945, Japan was in a disastrous position due to the ongoing Second World War. Despite its cultural and historical significance, the country has faced enormous challenges that have affected its internal and external affairs.

The ongoing hostilities created chaos and destruction throughout Japan. As an empire seeking to expand its possessions in Asia, Japan suffered serious losses and found itself in a difficult military and economic situation. Explosions and bombings of cities only increased the suffering of citizens and destroyed the country’s infrastructure.

Even during the war, the Japanese government maintained its strict military policy, refusing to think about surrender. For many Japanese, nationalism and patriotism have become the dominant values, and serving the Emperor has become a sacred duty.

However, by the summer of 1945, the Japanese population was increasingly exhausted from the long war. In the face of strict military measures and lack of resources, people faced a shortage of food and basic goods. Military management, together with increasing losses, caused the Japanese fatigue and frustration.

Thus, by the summer of 1945, Japan was in a difficult situation, and a peaceful end to the war became an increasingly important and desirable outcome for many Japanese. However, the country’s authorities continued to reject the possibility of surrender, and this clash between the desire for peace and strict military policy became a key point in Japan’s history and subsequent events.

In this section, you can outline the situation in Japan by the summer of 1945 to give the reader a better understanding of the context and conditions in which the decision to drop the atomic bombs was made. Describe how the long war affected the country and its people, and what factors may have influenced the US decision to use atomic weapons at this critical moment in history.

Opening of the Manhattan project and the creation of the atomic bomb

After warning Albert Einstein and Leo Szilard about the possib