New Delhi: Since the advent of nuclear weapons, they have been used only twice in a war in history. The weapons had a devastating effect on the targeted region as the world woke up and realised the monster which the leading superpowers had created. The only time when nuclear weapons have been used in a war was in World War II. It was used by the United States on Japan, and the two cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki bore the brunt. On International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, we look back at how the weapons led to the loss of millions of lives.
When atomic bombs devastated Japan
It was during the end of the World War and Imperial Japan was refusing to surrender, having massacred Pearl Harbour, a major blow to the United States. In retaliation, the US decided to use the atomic bombs in a war for the first time ever. On August 6 and 9, 1945, the US dropped two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki respectively.
Why were the atomic bombs dropped on Japan?
In the final year of World War II, the Imperial Japab was unrelenting in its fight, forcing the Allies to prepare for a costly invasion. Earlier, the Allied forces had bombed and devastated 64 Japanese cities. Meanwhile, on May 8, 1945, Germany surrendered and brought the war in Europe to an end. The Allies now had to deal with the Pacific War.
By July 1945, the US had developed two types of atomic bombs, the “Little Boy” and “Fat Man”. The Allies ordered Imperial Japan to surrender unconditionally and have an ultimatum, which the Japanese government ignored. The US decided to drop the two atomic bombs and Hiroshima, and Nagasaki were chosen as the target cities since they were large urban areas that also held militarily significant facilities.
How many people died in the atomic bombings?
The atomic bombings led to the death of 150,000 to 246,000 people, mostly civilians, and remain the only use of nuclear weapons in an armed conflict. Due to the effects of the atomic bombings, around 90,000 to 166,000 people died in Hiroshima while 60,000 to 80,000 people died in Nagasaki. While most died on the first day, for months afterwards, many people died from the effects of burns, radiation sickness, and other injuries from the fallout of the atomic bombings. On August 15, Japan finally surrendered and on September 2, the Japanese government signed the instrument of surrender effectively ending the war.
The only time when nuclear weapons have been used in a war was in World War II. It was used by the United States on Japan, and the two cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki bore the brunt. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
