what is the argument in support of using the bomb that secretary stimson is making when he writes "the face of war is the face of death; death is an inevitable part of every order that a wartime leader gives'
Answer (1)
1. The Brutality of War:Stimson acknowledges that war, by its very nature, involves death and destruction. He argues that no military leader can avoid this fact when making decisions during wartime. War, especially a global conflict like World War II, inevitably leads to casualties, and the duty of a wartime leader is to make strategic decisions that, although harsh, are aimed at ending the war and saving as many lives as possible in the long run.2. The Context of Total War:World War II was a total war, meaning it involved not only soldiers but entire populations. The line between combatants and civilians had become blurred, and the scale of destruction on both sides was massive. Stimson suggests that every decision made by wartime leaders, including the decision to drop atomic bombs, must be viewed through the lens of the total war situation. At this point, victory is the primary goal, even at the cost of extreme measures.3. The Decision to Use the Bomb:The argument here is that the use of the atomic bomb was seen as a way to end the war more quickly and decisively. By dropping the bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the U.S. leadership believed they would force Japan to surrender, thereby avoiding a prolonged and even more devastating conflict, including a possible invasion of Japan's home islands. Stimson, along with other members of the U.S. government, argued that this would ultimately save more lives, both American and Japanese, than it would cost in the short term.4. Moral Justification:In essence, Stimson is arguing that in wartime, leaders have to make moral calculations based on the broader context of the war. He is acknowledging the horror and inevitability of death in such a large-scale conflict, but framing it as an unfortunate reality that must be accepted in order to achieve a greater good—ending the war and preventing further loss of life, especially in a protracted war scenario.5. Inevitable Sacrifices for Peace:By stating that death is "an inevitable part of every order that a wartime leader gives," Stimson is also reinforcing the idea that sacrifices, both human and material, are sometimes necessary to achieve peace. He is, in a sense, rationalizing the bombings as a means to an end—peace after a long and brutal conflict.
