Every act of war directed to the indiscriminate destruction of whole cities or vast areas with their inhabitants is a crime against God and man. –Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Since June 1940 tension had been mounting between America and Japan. The
Axis Power, Germany and Italy, made strides into Europe while Japan had military
interests in East Asia. As the Japanese army marched into China and then into Vietnam,
the United States grew increasingly uncomfortable. In retaliation, the United States.
clamped a trade embargo (including one regarding oil-shipment) on Japan in July 1941.
Besides, all Japanese assets in the United States were frozen. Japan and the United States
tried to come to an agreement. On November 5, 1941, Japan offered a plan to solve the
crisis, but the American Secretary of State, Hull rejected the plan. The Americans would
only accept an unconditional surrender under American terms. This frightened Japanese
leaders because their biggest fear was losing their Emperor. As a result of the rejection,
the Japanese responded in December 1941, when they attacked United States base at
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and launched other surprise attacks against Allied territories in the
Pacific. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor claimed over 5000 American lives. Thus
began a wider conflict marked by extreme bitterness. For most Americans this war was
fundamentally different than the one waged against Italy and Germany. It was a war of
vengeance. As the end of the war approached it was clear to both sides that it was going
to be a fight to the finish. The Japanese would not surrender, they would fight until the
death of all their people. They would die, in honor of their country. The Americans would
not relent until they had conquered Japan. Therefore, on August 6, 1945, with no
forewarning, the United States used their massive, secret weapon, the atomic bomb,
a...