Public opinion increasingly questioned the morality of nuclear warfare due to the massive civilian casualties and unprecedented destruction witnessed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

There was a consistent belief that any advanced warfare, including nuclear strikes, was justified if it ended conflicts quickly.

Critics felt that nuclear warfare was more humane than traditional combat because it shortened the overall duration of warfare.

The use of atomic bombs was largely accepted as a necessary military tactic, similar to conventional combat methods in all previous wars.