The atomic bomb is almost certainly the most significant, destructive and controversial invention

ever fabricated into human history’s existence. It embodies a culmination of scientific and
technological advancements that transformed the world in ways that are still being felt today. The
atomic bomb was first fully developed during World War II by the United States in a race against Nazi
Germany. The process for building the atomic bomb was initiated on the 25th of November 1942,
but in due course was ultimately decommissioned against Japan, in 1945, during the final stages of
the war. The consequences of its use were both immediate and long-lasting, impacting the political,
social, and moral landscape of the world. While some claim that the dropping of the bomb was
required to finish the war promptly and save American lives, others assert that the destruction and
loss of civilian life was unnecessary and that other courses of action should have been taken. This
asserts the hypotheses of; ‘Due to ambitions of ending the war quickly and saving American lives, the
U.S. decided to use the atomic bombs’ and ‘The decision to use the bombs was not justified and
ethical as it caused immense loss of civilian life and caused long-term health effects.’

The development of the atomic bomb began in the early 1940s in the United States, led by physicist
J. Robert Oppenheimer and others. The initial idea of the atomic bomb came from a widely known,
German-born theoretical physicist, Albert Einstein. The goal was to develop a weapon that would be
more powerful than any other and that would give the U.S. a decisive advantage in the war. In 1942,
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began work on what would become the Manhattan Project, a
research and development effort aimed at producing the atomic bomb. In July 1945, the U.S.
successfully tested the first atomic bomb in Alamogordo, New Mexico.

Despite the success of the test, there were concerns within the U.S. government about using the
bomb. Some officials worried about the moral implications of using such a weapon, and others
believed that it would not be necessary, as Japan was already on the brink of surrender.
Nevertheless, President Harry S. Truman ignored the adverse effects and ultimately authorised the
use of the bomb against Japan because in his opinion, the benefits outweighed the drawbacks.

The United States of America in 1945 thought it was necessary to drop the bomb based on many
reasons. The main reasons are that they wanted to end the war quickly because they would have
more American casualties if they decided to invade Japan. They were also racially motivated against
Japanese people and some even referred to them as ‘short people with small eyes.’ Other reasons
can be seen as; they were pressured by the public to end the war, they wanted to test the bomb out
on a larger scale, they wanted to intimidate the Soviet Russians and they wanted to assert their
dominance by telling the whole world about their mass destructive weapon that they had forged into
reality.

On August 6, 1945, the U.S. used the Enola Gay, a B-29 bomber plane, to drop the first atomic bomb
on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The bomb, nicknamed "Little Boy," killed an estimated 140,000
people and caused widespread destruction. Three days later, on August 9, the U.S. used the Bockscar,
another B-29 bomber aircraft which dropped a second atomic bomb, nicknamed "Fat Man," on the
city of Nagasaki, killing an estimated 74,000 people. The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki had a
profound impact on the world. It marked the first time that nuclear weapons had been used in
warfare, and it led to a nuclear arms race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. The bombing also
raised questions about the morality of using such weapons, and it prompted calls for international
regulations on their use.

The decision to use the atomic bomb raises ethical questions about the use of weapons of mass
destruction and the morality of targeting civilian populations. The bombings of Hiroshima and
Nagasaki are seen by some as war crimes, as they caused indiscriminate harm to non-combatants
and violated the principles of just-war theory. Critics of this view argue that the use of atomic bombs
was a disproportionate use of force, given that Japan was already on the verge of surrender. They
argue that less extreme measures could have been taken to bring about the end of the war. The use
of atomic bombs not only caused immediate devastation, but also had long-term effects on the
health and well-being of those who survived the bombings. They also argue that using such weapons
sets a dangerous precedent, and risks causing harm for generations to come. Some argue that the
use of atomic bombs violated international law, including the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit
the use of weapons that cause unnecessary suffering or harm. They argue that the decision to use
atomic bombs was motivated more by political considerations than military necessity.

In contrast, people on the other side of the spectrum argue that dropping the bombs was a justified
act of retaliation for the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. They also argue that if $2 Billion had been
spent to make the bomb, not using the bomb would be a waste. Utilitarianism is an ethical theory
that holds that an action is morally right if it produces the greatest overall good. Proponents of this
concept argue that dropping the atomic bombs was justified because it brought about a quick end to
the war, and saved lives that would have been lost in an invasion. Some also argue that dropping the
atomic bombs was a military necessity, and that the United States had to use all available means to
win the war. Supporters of this view argue that the bombs were a legitimate weapon of war, and that
the United States had the right to use them to achieve victory.

In conclusion, the atomic bomb is a weapon that has had a lasting impact on the world, its
development and use during World War II marked a turning point in human history, leading to a new
era of warfare and global politics. While supporters argue that the bombing was necessary to bring
about the end of the war and save lives, others contend that it was unnecessary and resulted in
pointless suffering for the Japanese people. Other alternatives and measures for not using the
atomic bomb to end the war chosen by President Truman could have been to continue conventional
bombing, which would result in a less severe destruction. Invading Japan could be another option
but would take more time and the U.S. will have more casualties with a potential chance of losing the
war. Another one could be detonating the atomic bomb on an uninhabited island in Japan, which
could show the power of the bomb to Japan so they can consider surrendering, and this will not
harm any civilians. Ultimately, the ethical implications of the decision to use atomic bombs remains a
subject of debate and reflection. The moral, social, and political implications of the atomic bombs
continue to be debated to this day, and it serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of
war and the impacts it can have for generations to come.