The global conflict that led to the use of atomic bombs in warfare was World War II. As the war neared its conclusion in 1945, the United States sought to compel Japan's unconditional surrender. After extensive military campaigns and substantial casualties, the U.S. decided to drop two atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. These bombings resulted in massive destruction and loss of life, ultimately leading to Japan's surrender and the end of World War II. The use of atomic weapons marked a controversial moment in military history and ushered in the nuclear age.