Colin's Last Stand, Episode 39: Explaining (and Defending) the Nuclear Bombing of Japan

Very well said. I feel like many over simplify this decision today. I agree that given all the facts, it was definitely the right call

John Quinn

Great vid Colin ... btw for rest of you if you want to know the resolve of the Japanese just read "with the old breed" - Eugene sledge. Great book and also completely encapsulates why they'd never surrender. Love the history relating to it but this decision truly was pragmatic and logical to the core. Also book suggestion check this out. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062007696/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_PlhPzbKE99V1V" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062007696/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_PlhPzbKE99V1V</a> The title is a bit misleading but the data especially on demographics is astounding.

Brogan Wassell

As I was researching the topic I found an article about that, how our use of the bomb aided our diplomacy with the Soviets and pressured them to not invade. So Hiroshima at least was necessary.

GentleFan

I love your work! It's just numbers when the significance was the event, which you covered amazingly! Very thorough!

Kam Wallis

Thank you for the correction! I will make note.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you so much!

Colin Moriarty

Thank you! Although, I must say, I'm always confused when people say the YouTube comments on CLS are bad. I don't really agree, to be honest. The CLS community on YouTube is one of the kindest and most civil I've ever encountered.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you so much for your kind words. Everything is so negative. Sometimes, I contribute to that climate. But in moments of clarity, I'm aware of that, and try to inject reason and positivity into the world, as well. We need more of it.

Colin Moriarty

Indeed. I just commented something similar above! And I love Dan Carlin.

Colin Moriarty

Thanks for sharing the video! I hope they enjoy(ed) it.

Colin Moriarty

Indeed. Lots of casualties expected. Glad you liked the episode!

Colin Moriarty

Hey, you learn something new everyday.

Colin Moriarty

Thanks mom! I'm really glad you liked it. Miss/love you.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you! For me, the Soviet invasion theory is far too unknowable. It's possible, but I still think unlikely. What's weird is that people still think that was a solution, though. Japan would be like Korea today -- split in two -- if we didn't use the bomb.

Colin Moriarty

Thank you for watching! WW2 in Color is a fantastic show. Really eerie, as we're so used to seeing all of that footage (or simiilar footage) in grainy black-and-white.

Colin Moriarty

I truly believe that the origins of the conflict are relevant.

Colin Moriarty

Indeed! That Bushido code, and all of that.

Colin Moriarty

This is so much eloquently said, Michael. Thank you far putting into words what many of us may be feeling. I did want to let you know- that you're certainly not alone in your feelings about people seemingly coming apart at the seams. On my drive into work, I was just thinking the same thing... and how we are so at odds until a catastrophe occurs. I remember 911-and think of how we pulled together, how we flew the flag proudly, how pettiness didn't seem to much matter. What happened? How quickly we forget... 😢

BettyAnn Moriarty

This fact never gets brought up, but is so true. Truman used the bombs as a warning to the Soviets.

Kam Wallis

Slight correction Colin, the Trinity Test was conducted using a bomb with the strength of 20,000 tons of TNT, not 20,000,000. Love the content, keep up the great work! Look forward to your next video! Longtime supporter, Kam.

Kam Wallis

Great vid man.

Y'all are just a breath of fresh air over here on Patreon! Good community and respectful. I was just over on the YouTube comment thread and it is brutal compared to here. Let's keep it up, guys and gals! Oh, and Colin, you keep up the good work. This video hits right at home for what I've been wanting to see from Colin's last stand! With that said, it's all great content, though! You are all great, my fellow patrons! Let's keep this thing rollin'!

loved the episode, but I have to say, I'm growing so tired with the news of the day, our time is facing so many hardships its such a sad reality that there is so much divisiveness in the world and especially in our own country, I know internal strife is nothing new in the United States, but the daily dose of bad news is wearing me thin, I can only imagine what its doing to the national psyche. Colins last stand has become one of the few places I enjoy watching to get current events because while sometimes the topics are dire, Colin, you always attempt to present things in a way that is not riddled with negativity, in fact you help to provoke thought but in a way that is almost scientific, a way that I feel I have not seen since the days of old when learning in grade school. It seems we could all do well to start analyzing problems in our society more scientifically, logically, and let the unenlightened continue to destroy each other. which brings me to my final point in this rant', we accomplished so much that we have changed into soft offended babies that if left in the wild would not survive, we have lost something about ourselves that is ever present, that we are mortal, we are finite and will come to an end one day, we gather in groups hating eachother for color, and the like, and yet we don't realize that at any moment everything could collapse and we would need eachother. I hate to say I hope for a tragedy but it seems the only time we are able to hold eachother closer and stand together. just my thoughts for today, end rant.

Dan Carlin's Hardcore History episode Logical Insanity is a great episode on this same topic. He comes at it from a different perspective. Another thing many people don't consider is the Soviet Union's involment. They attacked the Kyantung army and nearly wiped them out. I met one of the soldiers who was captured and sent to a POW camp in Siberia for years. If they had attacked the Japanese mainland as well we would have gotten an East and West Berlin situation. Essentially, it is very possible Japan could have been split between Soviet and Allied control, which would leave us with another Asian country split in half between Communist and Capitalist lines.

This episode was great. I enjoyed both parts very much and passed the links on to both my parents who are very much interested in American nuclear history.

Karlos Rey

I really loved this episode, and it sucks to hear that the previous one did so poorly in terms of views. This is fascinating stuff, especially the bit about Purple Hearts. Really puts it into perspective.

Brent Lindquist

I just spent the last 10 minutes trying to find out the meaning of 'Pyrrhic'. Lol! Always an education with Colin lol.

Jeshua Anderson

I loved this episode - and appreciate both the extensive amount of research it must have taken to put it together as well as hearing your perspective. It's such a tough subject - very emotional and controversial but the fact that Japan wouldn't surrender, especially after the first bomb was dropped is astounding to me but says volumes - in my opinion. Great video, bud... Thank you!

BettyAnn Moriarty

I echo your thoughts, Dustin.

BettyAnn Moriarty

Great episode. I liked how you debunked several of the common counter-arguments against the use of the bomb, though I was surprised you didn't bring up the Russian invasion of Manchuria. That also put pressure on Japan's resources and seems to have been an important factor in them surrendering to the US.

GentleFan

I have been watching WW2 in colour on Netflix recently and I think it's almost impossible for any of us to understand living in that time. There were extremes on such a global scale, and atrocities committed by many. I really beleive that America had no choice, the Japanese public had been convinced that it was an invasion through propaganda. It would have been a bitter and bloody conflict that would have definately claimed more lives than we can understand. It is of course a challenging subject though, as the mass muder of so many civilians is also a horrific thought. It was just an awful decision to have to make, but when you look at Japan now, a thriving nation with an incredibly unique culture, it is hard to say that it was the wrong decision. That's my take anyway. Great video as always Colin. Keep up the good work. Peace ✌

Colin, This is easily one of my favorite episodes of CLS. Thank you for doing this topic! The fact about all of the purple hearts produced in preparation for Downfall astounded me.

Dustin Henry

Its hard to defend the use of the weapon but lets remember that the people of pearl harbor didn't ask being bombed and murdered by the surprise Japanese attack. on a lighter note lets remember we got Godzilla out of the whole thing.

Joey Finelli

Terrific video. I liked the detail on the Japanese, which I find fascinating, that they would have fought to the last, including all the civilians, for honour. That is such an alien view to the west.

Peter Campbell