gergroy said:
I love this thread. You see, this is the great thing about internet forums, you get to see all these different views on a subject and how different cultures approach it.
There are all sorts of different "facts" that contradict each other. Either people remembering them wrong or were taught it differently. I think it would be fascinating to sit down and look at how textbooks in different countries approach the same subject, like world war 2. You never seem to get a complete picture, always being hammered with your countries views of the subject.
From my perspective, (American) the bombing was a well planned out action. They looked at their options, weighed the different costs of life and the long term effects and chose the option that put America in the best situation. You hear how estimates lives lost in an invasion would have been in the millions and how Russia could be sweeping in to take their chunk of the pie. Can't really blame America for their choice really, sure it was terrible, but ultimately lives were spared.
It also potentially cut off what was shaping up to be a world war 3 with Russia, as the introduction of the A-bombs made both the USA and Russia pause and take a step back. The result being instead of war you saw the awkward dance and politicking that was the cold war. Neither side daring to make a move because the result would mean the destruction of both countries, and maybe the world.
Thats my two cents anyway.
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