Why did U.S.A bomb japan? as well as how did we get to that point?
1 Answer
The US bombed Japan in order to force the Japanese to surrender so the US would not have to engage in a land invasion of Japan.
Explanation:
The Japanese had fought to the death in the invasions of Saipan, Iwo Jima , and other islands.
On the small island of Peleliu over 10,000 Japanese soldiers were killed none surrendered causing over 1000 US soldiers to be killed.
The Pacific Hugh Ambrose p 363.
The battle for Okinawa cost America 20,000 dead and over 150,000 wounded. The Japanese population on Okinawa military and civilian was 450,000 before the invasions 150,000 of these were killed as the Japanese fought to near extinction. ( Killing the Rising Sun OReilly page 102)
The Japanese main islands held millions of people and soldiers. The US feared that the death toll would be proportional to the loses suffered in taking the Pacific Islands. Rather than risk the incredible loss of lives both American and Japanese, the US bombed Japan into submission.
