.jpg?w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
The Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bomb blasts happened on August 6, 1945, by the United States air forces, which added to World War 2. It was the first time in the world that a nuclear bomb was used in any war, which affected 13 square kilometers of Hiroshima City, and the total number of casualties was around 1,80,000. After three days, the second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, which killed around 50,000–1,000,000 people in the city.
The impact of the bombing on Hiroshima City was terrifying, as the bomb was dropped on the area near the city center, which is mostly crowded as it is the marketplace of the city. These were the main reasons that affected a larger number of the population in the city, and a higher number of deaths were reported. Due to the bombs, almost 63% of the buildings and infrastructure were destroyed in the city completely. The total population of the city was around 3,50,000, and in this, almost 1,00,000–1,80,000 people died, of which 10,000 died immediately, and the number of casualties was increasing day by day.
While talking about the impact on Nagasaki after the bombing, Nagasaki is surrounded by hilly areas, which helped the crowded places and market areas not become a focus of the air forces. The mountains became a shield for the crowded places and saved them from the bomb attack, but the result was even more devasting as the nuclear bomb was successful in leaving its impact on the residents of Nagasaki. Around 22.7% of Nagasaki’s buildings and infrastructure were destroyed, and the number of deaths was around 50,000–1,000,000. While comparing the destruction with Hiroshima, Nagasaki's destruction was smaller in number.
Let us understand the effect of using nuclear weapons at the time of war. These two historic events make us understand how dangerous it can be to use nuclear bombs, as the effect is devasting not just for some time but passes on from generation to generation. The future generations were suffering from the small size of their brains and late developments. The people who survived the attack started suffering from “radiation poisoning,” with symptoms like hair loss, nausea, bleeding, and severe burns. The survivors of the war even suffered from diseases such as ‘leukemia, cataracts, and tumors, and some people were diagnosed with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). The people were unable to avail of hospital facilities as the majority of medical houses were burned or destroyed completely, due to which people were suffering a lot after the bomb attack.
The decision by Japan to surrender was significantly influenced by the bombings. Emperor Hirohito declared Japan's unconditional surrender on August 15, 1945, World War II was essentially over. On September 2, 1945, the official surrender took place in Tokyo Bay on board the USS Missouri. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki sparked heated discussion in the years that followed. Some claimed that, to push Japan's surrender and prevent a drawn-out ground invasion, the employment of nuclear weapons was essential. Others argued that the attacks were needless and cruel, as Japan was already close to capitulating.
The nuclear age was ushered in by the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which also marked the beginning of the Cold War weapons race and increased geopolitical tension. The bombs sparked debates about the morality of nuclear war on a worldwide scale and sparked initiatives to limit and regulate nuclear weapons. The cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have evolved into symbols of peace and resilience in the decades after the bombings. To commemorate the victims and spread the word about world peace and the elimination of nuclear weapons, both cities have dedicated memorials and museums.
In contemporary history, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki continue to rank among the most significant incidents. In addition to helping to bring about the conclusion of World War II, they also paved the way for the development of nuclear weapons and the continuing discussions around war and peace. The lessons learned from these sad occurrences continue to influence how we approach international relations, resolve disputes, and work toward a world with greater peace as time goes on.
