General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Every year, I see the same thing re Hiroshima and Nagasaki [View all]jimlup
(7,968 posts)72 hours is not enough time to understand the damage caused by the first. The other fact in the mix is the Soviet declaration of war which was very significant to the Japanese war council. Hiroshima was likely not justified but even given a justification for that one Nagasaki stands as a clear act of immorality.
It doesn't really matter what the Japanese military mindset was as the Emperor was already opposed to continuing the war. The surrender terms which were accepted (that the emperor remain) were already in place before the bombing. My belief is that the Soviet declaration tipped the balance even for the hard liners not the atomic bombings.
Still it is interesting that the American people continue to believe the mythology. It is perhaps more comfortable for them than the alternative.