It was reasonably justified because they believed that it worked and as they were religious they believed that what they did actually worked and appeased the gods. The human sacrifices actually did it voluntarily, although probably not all, since they believed that it was their duty. This was not unlike numerous other places throughout history where human sacrifice to gods was a common thing and done all the time. They didn't know any better and actually believed it to be true.
I think the answer is metal
The 1948 United States Presidential Election is considered apart from being one of the biggest electoral upsets in American history, the start of an era of great economic prosperity and growth of the United States as a superpower in the land of politics.
After winning the election then President elect Harry S. Truman implemented and oversaw various policies in order to contain and stop the influence of communism around the world which culminated in the entry of the United States in the Korean war.
During this time period President Truman also oversaw the approval of NSC 68, a secret statement of foreign policy. Which sought to increase the defense budget and in turn increase the military prowess of the US and weaken the Soviet Union's influence as much as possible.
The results of the 1948 Presidential Elections also influenced the reform of civil rights in the US, more specifically voting rights and fair employment rights, these reforms also had a key role in ending racial segregation in the armed forces.