Discuss the effects of air power on the outcome of one 20th century war.

Introduction: WWII in the PacificParagraph 1: Fire bombing of JapanAll industrial cities with over 100,000 people bombed flat, continues until march 1945Demonstrates Japan's death before dishonor mentalityLimits ability to recoverParagraph 2: KamikazeScare tactics, young soldiers destroy themselves and the enemyAgain demonstrates "death before dishonour", shows that japan will not surrender until they have no other choiceEffective, however material intensive, depletes material quicker than it can be replacedParagraph 3: Atomic bombFinal solution for USA, believed to have saved thousands of american livesBrought aboutas a consequence of Japan's cultural beliefs5 August 1945 Hiroshima, japan refuses unconditional surrender, 9 August Nagasaki, Japan surrendersConclusionUSA's superior air power allowed them to win without ever making a land invasion, saving lives and allowing a quicker victory than without the atomic bombJapan's cultural beliefs as demonstrated through the kamikaze tactics may have been effective in the short term, however ultimately worked to show the US that (in their opinion) there could be no good outcome without completely annihilating them i.e. atmoic bomb