Which Was the First War Fought with Nuclear Weapons?

Technology has transformed the way we fight wars; however, no technology has had as great an impact on warfare, and humanity alike, as nuclear weapons have had through their creation and use.

Due to the magnitude of destruction caused by nuclear weapons, they can destroy a city instantly without any chance of survival. 

Nuclear weapons changed the way nations view warfare and how they behave towards one another; they also changed how countries develop military strategies, conduct war, and live together peacefully with respect to ethics, global politics, and international law. 

The first use of nuclear weapons will always provide insight into the long-standing effects of nuclear weapons on our planet.

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The First Use of Nuclear Weapons

World War II was the only instance of a nuclear bomb being used in war, and that war ended in 1945. 

The United States concerned that the Nazi germans would develop this weapon before the United States, developed the atomic bomb through a program called "Manhattan Project".

With Germany's surrender in May of 1945, the United States refocused the plan to use the atomic bomb against Japan as means to bring an end to the conflict in the Pacific.

Hiroshima: 6 August 1945

On 6 August 1945, the United States dropped the first atomic bomb to be used in warfare, "Little Boy", on the city of Hiroshima, Japan. 

The blast was powerful enough to destroy a significant portion of Hiroshima, producing an explosion that had the equivalent strength of about 15,000 pounds, killing a large number of civilians immediately and many more from injuries and radiation sickness.

The world was shocked by the destruction created by this detonation and witnessed the magnitude of the power of nuclear weapons.

Nagasaki: August 9, 1945

Nagasaki, Japan was hit with its own atomic bomb, codenamed "Fat Man," on August 9,1945. Fat Man was a little stronger than Little Boy; Fat Man also caused immense levels of destruction and devastation.

The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki caused Japan to surrender on August 15, 1945 and thus, fulfill the purpose of both bombings end World War II.

At this date, the two bombings remain the only instance in history where nuclear bombs have been used against a nation during armed conflict.

Conclusion

The first nuclear weapons were used in the Second World War as America dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima, 6th August 1945 and Nagasaki 9th August 1945. The use of these bombs dramatically changed warfare, foreign policy and international relations.