How did World War II end?
On 6th August 1945, an American B-29 bomber dropped an atomic bomb over the Japanese city of Hiroshima, instantly killing an estimated 80,000 people. Tens of thousands more would later die of radiation exposure. Three days later, a second atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Nagasaki, killing an estimated 40,000 people.
On 15th August 1945, Japan's Emperor Hirohito announced his country's unconditional surrender through a radio broadcast, citing the devastating power of a new and most cruel bomb. The formal surrender agreement was signed onboard the U.S Battleship Missouri, anchored in Tokyo Bay, on 2nd September 1945.
More Info:
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What are your thoughts on this subject?
20 Comments
Susan Lake-Harris
The bombings in Japan didn't actually end the war. The subsequent surrender meant the end of the war. For some service men and women, the war never really ended because of the lifelong impact on their emotional and mental health.
Stevie G
World War II did not end due to these bombings. They had an effect on the end of World War II and Japan's surrender.
Richard D. Boyle
Silvia Levame, The end of the war in Europe did NOT end WW II. What you have posted is accurate but it does not answer the question. The answer listed is clearly the best choice of the options provided. The atomic bombings did not end WW II instantly but they were, without question, the direct cause of the Emperors decision to surrender a few days later against the wishes of his military leadership. The unequaled devastation experienced by the atomic bombings gave the Emperor the courage and determination to buck the decision of his generals who all wished to continue the war and fight on to last person still alive. It is ironic that the “super superior” nature of this weapon actually provided the Emperor a rationale to end the war by surrender without being accused of “losing face”. He was accused by the military leadership but they had to obey him and grudgingly accepted his decision so the issue of “losing face” did not stick and WW II came to a final conclusion at last.
Special Patrol Group
The bombings did not end the war but they did contribute to the ending of the war.
Perk
The European part of WWII ended on May 8, 1945 with Germany surrendering.
Howard Groopman
Dumb alternatives. And the war in Europe ended earlier.
Corey Taylor
Oh, he thought the bomb was cruel, but not all the rapes and mass murders his men carried out in Nanking, China!?
Richard D. Boyle
Robert Schulz, even the second bomb did not convince the military leadership. The bombs did, however, convince the Emperor who decided to surrender against the wishes and recommendations of his Generals who intended to fight on in order to “save face”.
Robert Schulz
Satish Chandran, Japan was given ample time to surrender and did not. It was necessary to convince the powers in Japan that it was the end.
elizawheeler
Generations later the effects are still being felt. How we think we can release an atomic bomb and not damage our whole planet is beyond me.
cgrhm
War? What is it good for? Absolutely nothing. They never end. They just perpetuate. We never, ever end war.
Denise Currie
Mic Fenst, Yes I did, slip of the brain. Happening more often these days ha ha
JRW
The formal surrender agreement actually ends the war!
The 2 bombs accelerated that happening.
Mic Fenst
Denise Currie, Did you mean "Oppenheimer?" Yes, it was superb.
Albeck1994
Susan Lake-Harris, not to mention the many Japanese soldiers the found still figh5ing well into the 70s
Howard Groopman
Howard Groopman, And shame on the 12% who said Pearl Harbor.
Christine Parrillo
Richard D. Boyle, I wrote a more-extensive reply to you, but it appeared under Silvia Levame's name. Thanks again. Christine
Christine Parrillo
Richard D. Boyle, Thank you for explaining the conflict with the military leadership. I should know more about 20th-century history, especially the decisions that affected so many lives. Christine, James' wife