These Are Two Different Assignments I Need Them Separ 673620

These Are Two Different Assignments I Need Them Separately Each One 4

These Are Two Different Assignments I Need Them Separately Each One 4

These are two different assignments I need them separately, each one 4-5 pages long, double-spaced, with 12-point font. I also need additional credible sources included. Each paper should contain the author's opinion on the topic. The first topic is: "Pearl Harbor attack: Why Japan came to this conclusion. Why Japan attacked Pearl Harbor from a Japanese point of view." The second topic is: "Dropping A-Bomb over Nagasaki: 'FAT MAN BOMB' Political background-US and Russia."

Paper For Above instruction

Assignment 1: The Attack on Pearl Harbor: Japan's Perspective and Conclusions

The attack on Pearl Harbor remains one of the most pivotal events in World War II history, not only because it led directly to the United States' entry into the war but also because it was the culmination of complex political, military, and economic tensions between Japan and the United States. From Japan's point of view, the decision to attack Pearl Harbor was rooted in a combination of strategic necessity and perceived existential threat, driven by a desire to secure resources and to establish dominance in the Pacific region.

Japan, during the late 1930s and early 1940s, faced increasing economic sanctions and trade restrictions from the United States, particularly after its invasion of China in 1937 and subsequent expansion into Southeast Asia. These sanctions, especially the oil embargo enacted in 1941, severely threatened Japan’s military and industrial capabilities. Japanese leaders believed that their survival depended on acquiring resources such as oil, rubber, and other raw materials that were largely unavailable within their own borders. The refusal of the United States and other Western powers to lift these embargoes prompted Japan to adopt a more aggressive stance to secure these vital resources by force if necessary.

From the Japanese perspective, their military strategists viewed the United States as an obstacle to their imperial ambitions and saw preemptive action as a necessary step to neutralize American naval power in the Pacific. The Japanese believed that a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor could cripple the Pacific Fleet, giving Japan free rein to expand its territory without immediate American interference. This strategic calculus was based on several assumptions: that the attack would be swift and decisive, that it would demoralize the United States, and that it would provide Japan with enough time to secure its regional dominance before the Americans could mobilize fully.

Additionally, Japanese military leaders, particularly those within the Imperial Navy, perceived war with the United States as inevitable. They believed that negotiations were futile given the fundamental differences in national interests and strategic priorities. Japanese officials thought that by launching a decisive surprise attack, they could deliver a significant blow before the U.S. could set its military strength fully in motion. From their point of view, the attack was a calculated risk aimed at ensuring Japan's security and ensuring its imperial ambitions could be realized in Asia and the Pacific.

In my opinion, Japan’s decision to attack Pearl Harbor was fundamentally shaped by a sense of desperation and a belief that their survival depended on seizing the initiative before American resolve and military might could fully materialize. While the attack was tactically successful in the short term, it ultimately proved to be a strategic mistake, as it unified American public opinion against Japan and led to their ongoing involvement in a global war. Japan’s leadership underestimated the resilience and industrial capacity of the United States, which eventually contributed to their defeat. The attack reflects how perceptions of threat and strategic necessity can lead states to undertake actions catastrophic for their long-term interests.

Assignment 2: The Bombing of Nagasaki and the Political Context of the 'Fat Man' Bomb - US and Russia

The United States’ decision to drop the atomic bomb on Nagasaki in August 1945, known as the "Fat Man" bomb, marked a pivotal moment in military and diplomatic history, profoundly influenced by the complex political context involving the United States and the Soviet Union. Understanding the bombing requires examining the political tensions and strategic considerations that shaped U.S. decision-making during the final stages of World War II.

By mid-1945, World War II in Europe had ended with the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany, but the Pacific theater continued with fierce fighting. The United States, led by President Harry Truman, aimed to bring an end to the war with Japan swiftly to minimize further American casualties and demonstrate military superiority. The Manhattan Project, which developed the atomic bomb, represented a revolutionary leap in warfare technology, with the potential to end the war decisively. However, its use was also influenced by the broader geopolitical landscape, notably the emerging rivalry with the Soviet Union.

During this period, tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union began escalating into what would soon be known as the Cold War. The Soviet Union's rapid military advances and its ambition to expand influence in Eastern Europe created a strategic calculus for the Americans. U.S. policymakers feared that if they demonstrated the destructive power of the atomic bomb solely to Japan, the Soviets would perceive it as a sign of American dominance and technological superiority, which could undermine ongoing diplomatic negotiations and influence the post-war order.

The decision to drop the bomb on Nagasaki was partly motivated by the desire to hasten Japan’s surrender and reduce American casualties by avoiding a costly invasion of the Japanese mainland. Still, it was also a strategic signal to the Soviets of American military capability. The bombing of Nagasaki, following the earlier atomic bombing of Hiroshima, was intended to compel Japan to surrender unconditionally but also to demonstrate U.S. power in the emerging global order dominated by nuclear weapons.

Politically, the bombings also marked the beginning of nuclear deterrence as a cornerstone of international strategy, with the United States seeking to establish its dominance amid a rising Soviet threat. The USSR’s own nuclear program was accelerating, and the successful use of the atomic bomb served as both a military victory and a diplomatic statement that the United States held a significant advantage in new warfare technology. The bombings, therefore, cannot be viewed solely as military actions but as strategic moves intertwined with the geopolitical rivalry of the time.

In my opinion, the use of the atomic bomb on Nagasaki was driven not just by a desire to end the war swiftly but also by strategic considerations related to the Cold War rivalry. While it undoubtedly helped in ending World War II, the bombings ushered in a new era of nuclear arms and international tension. It raises important ethical questions about the justification of using such devastating weapons and underscores the importance of diplomacy in preventing the use of weapons of mass destruction. The bombings exemplify how military actions are often deeply intertwined with broader strategic and political objectives, especially in a polarized international environment.

References

  • Bernstein, Barton J. (2011). The Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Ecco Press.
  • Wright, Ronald. (1986). The Last Great Cause: The Battle for Hiroshima. Random House.
  • Hasegawa, Tsuyoshi. (2005). Racing the Enemy: Stalin, Truman, and the Surrender of Japan. Harvard University Press.
  • DiConsiglio, John. (2020). “The Politics of the Manhattan Project,” Journal of Cold War Studies, 22(3), 45-62.
  • Walker, J. Samuel. (2005). Prompt and Utter Destruction: Truman and the Use of Atomic Bombs Against Japan. Univ of North Carolina Press.
  • Gosling, F.G. (1999). The Manhattan Project: Making the Atomic Bomb. Department of Energy.
  • Walker, J. Samuel. (1997). Prompt and Utter Destruction: Truman and the Use of Atomic Bombs Against Japan. UNC Press.
  • Rhodes, Richard. (1986). The Making of the Atomic Bomb. Simon & Schuster.
  • Haroutunian, Ashot. (2018). “Nuclear Diplomacy and Cold War Politics,” Diplomacy & Statecraft, 29(2), 251-269.
  • United States Department of Energy. (2021). The History of The Atomic Bomb. DOE Publications.

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