The atomic bomb Pacific War

on 6 august 1945, dropped atomic bomb on japanese city of hiroshima in first nuclear attack in history. in press release issued after atomic bombing of hiroshima, truman warned japan surrender or ...expect rain of ruin air, of has never been seen on earth. 3 days later, on 9 august, dropped atomic bomb on nagasaki, last nuclear attack in history. more 140,000–240,000 people died direct result of these 2 bombings. necessity of atomic bombings has long been debated, detractors claiming naval blockade , aerial bombing campaign had made invasion, hence atomic bomb, unnecessary. however, other scholars have argued bombings shocked japanese government surrender, emperor indicating wish stop war. argument in favor of atomic bombs helped avoid operation downfall, or prolonged blockade , bombing campaign, of have exacted higher casualties among japanese civilians. historian richard b. frank wrote soviet invasion of japan never because had insufficient naval capability mount amphibious invasion of hokkaidō.