Japan WW2

Hiroshima and Japan during World War II: The Atomic Bomb.

Hiroshima and World War II gave me a much different perspective of what the World was like during World War II. This book was really helpful for me to better learn what the World was like right before and during World War II in Japan. Elementary schoolers were evacuated to the mountains and also went to school in the mountains. Middle schoolers in Japan during WW2 were working in factories for 8-16 hours a day. Another thing was that they were also sometimes hurt in the factories.

 Working conditions in the United States in 1944 were better than in Japan; elementary schoolers and middle schoolers weren’t working in factories. They weren’t defending themselves from bombs, except for Pearl Harbour. However, they were still in the middle of the Great Depression, and they also lost a decent amount for their military to fight in World War II.

Modern-day Asia still has some poverty and child labor. But it isn’t elementary schoolers and isn’t as poor as it was during WW2. Asia has much more wealth nowadays, better living conditions, and better working conditions.

The United States, however, has banned working under 16, so there is no child labor, better working conditions, and it is almost never attacked. Finally, the United States living conditions are so much better than they were 100 years ago. It is important to remember that when complaining about living in the United States today or in other developed First World Countries. We are doing so much better than 100 years ago. So, try to be happier and more grateful, even if you should still advocate for better.

Bibliography:

M. G. Sheftall, Hiroshima: The Last Witnesses (New York: Dutton, 2024).