The Moynihan Report "Thank God for the Atomic Bomb" | The Moynihan Report
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Oct 3, 2025 Historian Richard B. Frank, an expert on the Asia-Pacific War, discusses the aftermath of World War II and the controversial atomic bombings. He challenges the idea that Japan was ready to surrender, detailing their defensive strategies and intentions. Frank dives into the misconceptions surrounding the bomb's necessity, revealing high casualty forecasts for a potential invasion. He emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the broader Asian context of the war, sharing insights from his works, including the staggering toll on non-Japanese victims throughout the conflict.
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Wider Scope Of The Asia-Pacific War
- The Asia-Pacific War encompassed far more people and deaths than the Western 'Pacific War' narrative admits.
- Richard B. Frank emphasizes 75% of participants and 85% of deaths were outside the U.S.-Japan fight, mostly other Asians.
Civilian-Military Lines Were Erased
- Japan had effectively militarized civilians by 1945, blurring combatant distinctions across cities.
- Frank argues civilians were mobilized into militias, so bombing cities wasn't against isolated innocents.
Japan Expected To Fight To The End
- Japan's leadership (the Big Six) planned Ketsugo to inflict massive casualties on any invasion to force negotiation.
- Intercepted diplomatic and military signals showed Japan prepared to fight, not imminently surrender.
