¶ … Battle of Okinawa on Cultural Treasures The research paper is about the impact of battle for control of Okinawa fought between Allies and Japan during world war two, on the cultural heritage and valuables of the Ryukyu Kingdom. The paper starts with a general introduction of the topic and building a stance that humans have been involved in wars and battles from the start in order to gain control over resources and in order to prove their supremacy over one another and in struggle of survival. During these wars of survival of the fittest, the humans neglect the dreadful impacts and effects these wars leave on the mankind, environment, and culture.

The research paper provides a general history and background related to the situation, describes the valuable cultural resources of the Island, examines the impact and influence of the battle of Okinawa on the cultural heritage and valuables of the island, and presents the results and conclusion by doing a thorough analysis and examination. Furthermore the paper also gives a review on how battles impact the societal norms and the losses that are caused by the wars. The paper also discusses that battle always results in losses no matter who ever wins the war.

Apart from this the research paper presents different arguments on the basis of facts and events in support of the stance and also examines the counter arguments in order to examine and evaluate situation effectively and efficiently and to come up with more accurate results, findings and conclusions.

The research paper provides valuable insights about the negative influence and impact of the wars and battles on the cultural valuables and heritage and on the history of nations and cultures. The paper is a good source of information for the people who are interested in the impact of wars on the history of cultures and nations.

MY THESIS:

My thesis is about the battle for control of Okinawa Island and its impact and influence on the cultural treasures of Ryukyu kingdom. The aim behind the thesis is to come up with a conclusion by analyzing the background information, supported facts, and specific incidents and examples related to the topic of the thesis. The problem or thesis statement is:

"The battle for control of Okinawa Island, known as the "Typhoon of Steel," destroyed many of the Ryukyu kingdom's cultural treasures and resulted in the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific during World War II."

The methodology used for research in the paper is of secondary research in order to establish a stance and give supportive arguments. The critical arguments are also examined in order to come up with an unbiased and fair results and conclusion. The research paper has tried to analyze the impact and influence of the battle of Okinawa on the cultural valuables and heritage of the Island. For this purpose a thorough secondary data about the cultural valuables and heritage of the Island have been analyzed and examined. Apart from this it has been tried to analyze the extent of impact of battle on the Island and on people of the Island. The main purpose of the research paper is to analyze the impact of battle of Okinawa on the history of the Island. Apart from this the aim is also to establish a general stance about the negative and destructive impact and influence of the wars and battles on the mankind, environment, nature, culture, and other important valuables and resources. For this reason proper analysis is done by using the information and data collected through secondary research.

The research paper has important insights related to the impact of wars on the cultural heritage and growth and development of cultures and economies.

INTRODUCTION:

Apart from several conflicts and wars among different nations and countries the two biggest and most dreadful wars were the two world wars i.e. world war one and world war two. These wars have an everlasting effect on the human civilizations and have resulted in demolition and destruction of valuable cultural and natural treasures.

The humans have always neglected the long lasting and damaging effects of wars on the environment and nature. Different nations have always neglected the fact that these negative and dreadful impacts of war on nature and environment are indirectly affecting them in different manners and contexts. Not only the survivors of the wars and their families have to suffer but war also has a dreadful impact on the upcoming generation...

The damages of war caused to the infrastructure can be measured but the damages caused by the war to the human whether to his health mentally or physically can't be measured and that loss cannot be overcome. May people die as a result of war and many families are ruined due to this and this loss of person can never be overcome no matter how much money is being given as compensation.
Same is the case in the battle for gaining control over Okinawa Island which is also known as "Typhoon Steel." This battle resulted to be the one with the most number of deaths and casualties during the world war two (Belote, & Belote, 1970). The paper establish two alternate hypothesis to examine the extent of damage and destruction caused by the battle to the cultural and natural treasures and valuable of the Ryukyu islands of Okinawa and on the people of that Island.

HISTORY AND BACKGROUND OF THE BATTLE OF OKINAWA:

World war two was the biggest international conflict and war between different nations which were later named as war between 'Allies' and 'Axis'. The world war two started in 1939 and was ended in 1945. It involved most of the nations of the world. It is not possible to narrate and account the annihilation and destruction caused by world war two. Every possible way and mean of demolishing and destructing mankind and humanity were used by different nations in war against each other (Belote, & Belote, 1970).

The most cruel, pitiless, and disturbing story and history is of the Okinawa Island. The battle of Okinawa was codenamed as Operation iceberg by Americans. The war was fought between Americans and Japan in order to gain the control over the island. The war lasted for eighty two days during April and mid June of 1945 (Belote, & Belote, 1970). The battle is one of the last encounters and battles during the world war two. The Americans and Allies used the strategy of Leapfrogging or island hopping in the pacific war during world war two. The pacific war is the name given to the battles and wars fought in the region of Pacific Ocean during world war two. The strategy of Americans and Allies were to take control of the different strategic Island in order to take advantage against strong Japanese forces despite of limited resources available. For this reason the Allies decided to take control of Okinawa Island which is located only 340 miles away from Japan and was not properly defended or protected. The Americans planned to use the island as a base of their air operations and for this reason used five divisions of their Army along with two divisions of marine to invade and occupy the Island (Cunningham, 2009).

The battle of Okinawa resulted in the one of the largest and biggest amphibious assault in pacific war during world war two, as apart from the Americans the Japanese also defended the island by using every possible mean and way because they were also aware of the strategic importance of the island and knew that the occupation of the Island by American forces can lead to their defeat and destruction. According to different historians the battle of Okinawa was one of those battles of world war two which have been reported as resulting in highest number of casualties and deaths. The total casualties were 150,000 out of which 100,000 were of Japanese troops and 50,000 were of troops and forces of Allies (Tolliday, 2000).

The battle of Okinawa was so dreadful and intensive that it has been given different nick names like 'Typhoon of Steel', 'Rain of Steel', and 'Violent Wind of Steel'. Apart from the officials deaths and casualties tens of thousands of local people also lost their lives. These were the physical and man loss as the result of battle. Apart from this the battle had long lasting impact and influence on the mental state of the people of Island and also on the cultural treasure and valuables of the Ryukyu kingdom which is difficult to measure and quantify.

HISTORY OF OKINAWA ISLAND CULTURAL TREASURE AND VALUABLES OF RYUKYU KINGDOM:

The three kingdoms period of Okinawa Island named as the 'Sanzan period' lasted between 1322 and 1429 and resulted in the unification and merger of the Ryukyu Kingdom. The people of Ryukyu are different from the people of Japan and have their own set of values, beliefs, and culture. The Okinawa Island is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich islands. The history of Okinawa Island is filled with different cultural values…