0
Why was dropping atomic bombs on Japan a more favorable option for the Allied powers than a ground invasion?
To save lives. Many, many lives, both American and Japanese. A lot of people were killed immediately, and more long-term buy the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings. But the number is actually small compared to the number of American soldiers and sailors, and Japanese people (a lot of them women, children and old men) who would have died in the invasion of Japan.
A More Detailed View:
Since the 'official' answer is becoming less believable every day--Japan tried multiple times to surrender before the bomb was dropped--the most likely answer is that they wanted to test the bomb on a human population.
While this interpretation is popular in some circles, it has been refuted in every detail by more diligent historians such as D.M. Giangreco and Robert J. Maddox. One of its biggest flaws is its equation of "peace" with "surrender." Japanese peace feelers were indeed put out several times, but none of them met the American requirement of unconditional surrender. It would not do to leave Japan in control of territory gained through its aggression or possessing a military capable of future offensives.
The question of why the US used atomic bombs is very complex. President Truman debated it from several angles, as is prudent for an unprecedented act of destruction. But most historians agree on one inescapable fact: the extraordinary human cost (in American and Japanese lives) of a physical invasion of Japan was too high.
The Japanese forces had in every engagement preferred death to surrender. On Saipan in July 1944, nearly all of the 30,000 Japanese forces and many of the 25,000 Japanese civilians died fighting. Approximately 1,000 civilians (including women) threw themselves off cliffs in front of American troops to avoid the disgrace of and feared treatment in captivity. On Iwo Jima in March 1945, only 216 prisoners were taken out of 22,000 defenders. Since the Japanese considered this island to be as sacred as Japan itself, US planners had every reason to expect the same level of resistance in the final invasion.
Among Giangreco's definitive debunking of revisionists' evidence, one simple story stands out. While Truman weighed the atomic decision, the American military prepared its invasion plans, including its estimates of American casualties. An analysis by Giangreco and Kathryn Moore of the manufacturing history of the Purple Heart medal demonstrates that the Navy's initial 1942 estimate of the total number of wartime medals it would need resulted in an order of 135,000. This figure was based on formulas assuming World War I casualty rates. But those medals had all been given out by October 1944, and Navy planners placed an order for 25,000 more (using updated formulas). Once again, it wasn't enough. They ordered another 50,000 in the spring of 1945. Orders based on projections consistently fell far short of the actual need. And yet when the war ended in August, the services found themselves with a combined surplus of 495,000 Purple Heart medals that had been produced in anticipation of the invasion of Japan. Every American serviceman wounded in action in Korea, Vietnam, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf, Bosnia, and Kosovo received a medal not needed for its original purpose because the use of atomic bombs rendered them unnecessary. In 1999, the Pentagon placed its first large-scale order since 1945 to replenish the available supply.
What else can I help you with?
Why did America want to save Americans lives by dropping atomic bombs?
To avoid an invasion of Japan
Was the need to defeat japan the main reason why the atomic bomb was used?
Based upon numerous intelligence sources, the Japanese would not surrender in the event of an Allied invasion. It was calculated that as many as 100,000 Allied troops would die in an invasion of the Japanese islands. For all practical purposes, Japan was already defeated by the time the U.S. was ready to invade. It was simply a matter of time. Dropping the atomic bombs convinced the Japanese leadership to surrender, saved untold numbers of Allied troops, and hastened the war's end.
What two events happen in Japan in August of 1945?
Hiroshima and Nagasaki were the location of the dropping of two atomic bombs from the Allied forces.
Alternative to dropping the atomic bomb?
possibly do a land invasion, but didnt choose this bc too many deaths would occur to American soldiers
Who approved the dropping of an atomic bomb on japan?
Harry s. truman approved the dropping of an atomic bomb on japan.
Which Allied Power ordered the dropping of the atomic bombs?
United States
What did the dropping of the atomic bomb prevent?
It prevented a conventional invasion of Japan itself and the casualties that would have accompanied that invasion.
Why did America want to save Americans lives by dropping atomic bombs?
To avoid an invasion of Japan
Which Allied leader ordered the dropping of the atomic bombs?
Harry Truman authorized the use of atomic bombs against Japan.
Was the need to defeat japan the main reason why the atomic bomb was used?
Based upon numerous intelligence sources, the Japanese would not surrender in the event of an Allied invasion. It was calculated that as many as 100,000 Allied troops would die in an invasion of the Japanese islands. For all practical purposes, Japan was already defeated by the time the U.S. was ready to invade. It was simply a matter of time. Dropping the atomic bombs convinced the Japanese leadership to surrender, saved untold numbers of Allied troops, and hastened the war's end.
What did president Truman do instead of invading why?
He authorized the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Why? Because japan had refused o surrender, and it was believed that a conventional invasion of the Japanese mainland would result in the deaths of over 1 million Allied service members.
What was the US's main argument for dropping the atomic bombs?
I think you meant dropping, not trooping. An invasion of the Japanese mainland was projected to result in over 1 million casualties among the Allied soldiers. Japan had refused to surrender, and vowed to fight to the last soldier.
What two events happen in Japan in August of 1945?
Hiroshima and Nagasaki were the location of the dropping of two atomic bombs from the Allied forces.
Was the atomic bomb a necessary evil?
yes. an invasion of japan would have costed about 1 million american/allied lives.
What was an argument used in favor of dropping atomic bombs of Japan?
it would prevent high casualties that would be caused by an invasion of mainland Japan
What was an argument used of favor of dropping atomic bombs in japan?
it would prevent high casualties that would be caused by an invasion of mainland Japan
What was an argument used in favor or dropping atomic bombs in japan?
it would prevent high casualties that would be caused by an invasion of mainland Japan.
