Today...

[Amadeus]

You can site other factors as contributory to their surrender but to deny that the nuclear attacks on Japan was not the leading cause to their surrender instead of making up break our teeth on a land invasion is preposterous.

The only reason it is preposterous is beacuse that is what mainstream history tends to make most people belive. But the truth is, the atomic bombings were unnecessary from a military standpoint. Japan was demolished, its navy and air forces crippled by severe losses and fuel shortages. Despite the propaganda, the Japanese leadership realised this as well and wanted to reach a negotiated peace so they could preserve the Emperor. Top US military figures knew this as well since the Allies had the Japanese naval codes and were well informed of the messages to their embassies.

The real purpose of the atomic bombings was for them to be a show of power. The US by then was well aware that the USSR would be its political opponent in the future. That is why they wanted to show off their new toy with great potential so they would show the Soviets they mean business.