America Imagines the Atomic Bomb

Abstract

Following the use of the atomic bombs, there was a question that understandably bothered some minds: what is this thing, what happened, and what did it do? People needed a way to understand what had just happened, especially in a time when there was not an abundance of information on the atomic bomb available to the public. Ways to understand the atomic bomb came to people through literature. Since 1945, there has developed 6 main schools of interpretation of why the atomic bombs were used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The most influential amongst the American public has been what is called the 'orthodox' school. What is the orthodox view? This "orthodox" school's argument's most prominent text is Henry L Stimson's article The Decision to use the Bomb, published in the Harper's magazine in 19473. The main characteristics are these: (1) the atomic bomb is "as legitimate as any other deadly weapon of war." (2) Following the recommendations of the scientists on the scientific panel of the Interim Committee, it was decided that "the atomic bomb was an eminently suitable weapon" for a quickly forced surrender induced by shock to the Japanese people and government, and that it should be used on a "military installation surrounded by houses and buildings." (3) Alternatives to a "military demonstration" such as a demonstration shot on an uninhabited area were not likely to induce surrender as the U.S. wanted it. (4) The Japanese military was still formidable and unwilling to surrender unconditionally. (5) "The Potsdam ultimatum was offered on July 26, and rejected by the Japanese two days later. Therefore bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki." Moreover, Nagasaki and Hiroshima fit the criteria for "military target." (6) Japan's prompt surrender after the bombings proves the function of the atomic bomb as a psychological weapon. The firebombing of Tokyo caused "greater damage and more casualties," but ultimately did not have the same effect as the atomic bombing did. (7) War is hell, and use of the atomic bomb was "our least abhorrent choice." Ultimately, the benefits of using the bomb outweighed what terrible things would come if it had not been used. It also put a stop to awful methods of warfare like firebombing. How this interpretation could have become so widely accepted and believe as it has is a part of the object of this essay. As well as that, I will attempt to shed some light on various ways in general that the American public was offered ways to think about the atomic bombs- I will be doing somewhat of a survey of literary devices. In the end, it is my hope that one may be able to take a look at any event or era, even their own, and use what I am offering so that they may be more aware of in what ways societies have been and are being persuaded to accept the ways of thinking of others that would have them do so.