When President Roosevelt died he left Vice President Truman the enormous dilemma of whether or not to use the atomic bomb in the war against Japan. The scientists informed Truman of the bomb’s devastating force and expressed concerns about the future of such dangerous weapons (Document 2). However, the ends justified the risks because President Truman needed to seize America’s advantage, end the war, and save human lives. The famous saying that timing is everything fits Truman’s situation. In 1944 the weapon advantage belonged to the United States and Great Britain because of the development of the atomic bomb. Nevertheless, according to a memorandum from the Office of Scientific Research and Development, this advantage was temporary.
As World War II was coming to an end during 1945, the creation of one of the most destructive weapons known to humanity occurred within the United States. This weapon, known as “the atomic bomb,” was used on the two Japanese cities: Hiroshima and Nagasaki, resulting in a death toll unprecedented by any military weapon used before and an immediate, unconditional surrender. Some historians believe President Truman decided to drop the atomic bomb in order to intimidate the Soviet Union whereas others believe it was a strictly military measure designed to force Japan’s unconditional surrender. In the Report of a Scientific Panel of nuclear physicists, some scientific colleagues believed the atomic bomb was a “purely technical
Americans have been wondering whether President Truman should’ve ordered the usage of weapons which was against Japan back in August 1945. The World War II which involved almost every part of the world. This decision had the citizens thinking every year that passes by as if the President had made wrong decision. This horrible event had the citizens in doubt. The results were not good for the Japanese civilians. Because the of the atomic bomb they had lost not only their families, but also their houses and businesses. It impacted the tens of thousands of people in every way possible. To what Americans observes from this is not only the pros it had brought for the citizens, but it
The absolute terror of nuclear weapons and the substantial amount of death of the Japanese has forced many questions to be asked whether the U.S. should have decided to use these destructors against Japan, ending World War II. After more than seventy years after the event, the decision to drop the first atomic bomb continues to be widely debated. The primary focus for the U.S. was to win the war at the lowest possible cost. Truman was looking for the most effective way to end the war quickly, not for a way to prevent the use of
Few events in world history have made a global impact on humanity as the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The decision to drop the bombs made by Harry S. Truman, the newly sworn in commander-in-chief after the death of Franklin Roosevelt, has been one scrutinized not only for the destruction of the act, but also in itself for the actual motive of the decision. Was the decision to use the Atomic Bombs one to quickly end the war to save American lives, or did Truman do his best to prevent Soviet influence in East Asia, to try and scare the Soviet Union from making any kind of territorial claims in Japan? Because there is ample evidence for both points of view, it's impossible to declare one to be the case. While both sides have good evidence, it's likely Truman made his decisions not only to end the war quickly, but to also avoid massive casualties on both sides, and to intimidate the Soviets. This was the genius of Truman's actions, it was able to end the war that was destroying the globe's nations for nearly six years, while also preventing another war from occurring in the future, and to keep peace in the process. As far as today, there has been no atomic warfare
President Harry S. Truman decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan is perhaps the most controversial act of policy in United States history. One of the many different reasons given for the use of this weapon was the shock effect it would produce in the Japanese foreign policy circle. While the shock of the Japanese will be discussed later, it is important to note that it had a similar effect on the west. This shock effect has caused countless authors to speculate as to the motivation behind, and effects of this revolutionary weapon.
President Truman’s bravery in dropping the atomic bomb is and always will be one of the most significant events in American history. At the time of Truman coming into office, he had no previous knowledge of the making of the atomic bomb (Donovan, 1977, p.45). However, much focus was placed on using this bomb because of how much time and money had been put into the project (Donovan, 1977, p.45). A major figure who helped push President Truman to use the bomb was former President Roosevelt (Donovan, 1977, p.47). During his time with President Truman, he contributed to the master plan by having crews trained to attack Japan with atomic bombs (Donovan, 1977, p.47).
Imagine unexpectedly becoming the President of the United States overnight during a huge World War. Then was faced to make a life changing decision on whether or not to use a secret bomb that could end it all, and only on your twelfth day on the job. This was the decision Harry Truman, our 33rd President had to make. Many people have different opinions on whether or not dropping that bomb on Japan was the right thing to do. Either way any decision that Truman made would have resulted with some pros, but in the end him deciding to drop the bomb was the right one to make to end the war easily.
Not only was President Truman unprepared, he was Vice President for just eighty-two days, excluded from Roosevelt’s inter-circle, he knew nothing about the war raging across three continents and two oceans. Within four months, President Truman had at his command the most terrible weapon ever invented by man. There was no question about whether Truman would use the bomb; the question was when, how, and
The United States had been in war for almost four years. Over 416,800 American lives were taken, and four percent of the world's population was killed in World War II. America needed a way to end the war as quickly as possible with the fewest U.S. casualties. A Japanese invasion was considered, but it would put American lives at stake. With the invention of the atomic bomb, President Truman made the most debated decision: the decision to use the most deadly weapon ever invented- the nuclear bomb. It was a very controversial decision. On one hand, the nuclear warheads ended World War II as quick as possible. On the other hand, it created mass destruction and devastated the two cities targeted: Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Some say that the
Historians have questioned the decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan in 1945. Evidence shows that President Truman weighed not only military information in his decision to use the bomb, but also considered postwar politics and foreign policy when he considered dropping the atomic bomb on Japan. An analysis of his personal papers offers a different reasoning for using the bomb than what was commonly known at the time. The discrepancy between Truman’s public and private reasoning will be discussed.
Prompt and Utter Destruction: Truman and the Use of Atomic Bombs Against Japan by Walker J. Samuel chronologically illustrates the variables that were taking place during the Pacific War and their influence on President Truman and his administration to what ultimately led to the use of the atomic bombs on Japan. Since his last edition Walker has revised the book to focus on the
This investigation analyzes the influences affecting President Harry S. Truman 's 1945 decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan during World War II. Over the past 57 years, many have debated whether this was a genocidal act or a necessary military decision. To examine the driving forces present when Truman ordered the employment of atomic weaponry, this study focuses on presidential speeches, minutes of White House meetings, and military reports. The mindset of the American people, their leaders, and the state of the American military campaign late in the war are evaluated to determine the primary reasons for his order to use the atomic bombs.
Truman held advantages and moral dilemmas. Truman had to decide if ending the war was worth the death of thousands of people. Other than Truman, no one will ever know the hardships faced when taking on this challenge or the amount of time spent pondering which way to go. Truman was not alone in this decision, but in the end all the pressure is left on his shoulders. We have no way of knowing what would have happened if Truman decided to not drop the atomic bomb, but we do know that the choice he made worked out in the United States favor and won them the
In conclusion, the difficulties of the situation are limitless. “Truman, a serious reader of history, knew this lesson well (not to listen to advisors). That remains why, in his August 6, 1945, official announcement of the atomic explosion over Hiroshima, Japan, he said, ‘We have spent two billion dollars on the greatest scientific gamble in history—and won’” (Shafritz and Borick 2011). Although there were many reasons not to employ the bombs in the worldview of Truman dropping the bombs was the correct decision. His decision will forever be controversial for many U.S. and Japanese lives may have been saved by the application of the bombs or the opposite if many Japanese lives could have been spared if negations by the U.S. could have changed
President Truman was informed about the Manhattan Project after he became President. Once, the success of the project was secure, the United States has the capacity to end the war with Japan is in our hands. President Truman’s primary goal is “to win a complete victory and to keep the U.S. casualties to a minimum” (Walker 50). Japan on the other hand is not willing to surrender without a fight, even though American forces took over Okinawa and Iwo Jima and were continuously bombing Japanese cities. Japan has denied unconditional surrender, although the refusal is certain to result in total destruction. Thus, President Truman should be advised towards the use of the atomic bomb to quickly bring an end to the