World War II: The Decision To Drop The Atomic Bomb

President Truman's decision to drop the atomic bomb on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were the direct cause for the end of World War II in the Pacific. The United States felt it was necessary to drop the atomic bombs on these two cities or it would suffer more casualties. Not only could the lives of many soldiers have been taken, but possibly the lives of many innocent Americans. The United States will always try to avoid the loss of American civilians at all costs, even if that means taking lives of another countries innocent civilians.

If this had taken place the war could have ended with much less violence. “Another option discussed was a moderation of the demand for unconditional surrender. Specifically, the United States might release a statement expressing respect for the emperor’s position without having to recognize his semidivine status in Japanese culture. Tentative Japanese peace feelers had indicated that the emperor’s position was the major sticking point preventing Japan’s surrender" (Astore, May). This would have kept both the Emperor and the U.S. satisfied with the results.

Imagine yourself making the toughest decision in your life, whether sacrificing a million of our men and thousands of war ships and plans, verses several thousand of Japanese civilian populists. This decision was on the shoulder of Harry S. Truman, the United States President, who had to make this decision by deciding whether or not to drop a newly designed weapon. The atomic bomb was tested in the sands of New Mexico, where it proved to be very successful. Harry S. Truman made a very successful decision, because he wanted to end the war quickly, show others that the United States had power, and the retribution of Pearl Harbor.

Many debates have been provoked based on President Truman's decision to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. The debate is not solely based on the bomb being dropped, but more on the actual necessity and intention of the bomb being dropped.

World War II began September 1, 1939 and ended September 2, 1945. When this war began, many young boys and men were drafted into the war. Most of them left what they were doing and all they’ve known, to fight in the war. It was the war that advanced technology and created social changes. The United States was the first country to use the atomic bomb in warfare. On August 6, 1945, the first of two atomic bombs were dropped. The first bomb was named, “Little Boy,” and was dropped on the city of Hiroshima. The second bomb was named, “Fat Man,” (History.com Staff 2009) and was dropped on the city of Nagasaki three days later. The bombs resulted in thousands of casualties and radiation among the civilians. Dropping the atomic bomb was the right decision because the bomb would end the war, it was revenge for Pearl Harbor, and it saved the lives of more Americans.

The fact that not proper information was given to Japan to make the decision whether to surrender or not made people think

“Truman stated that his decision to drop the bomb was purely military. Truman believed that the bombs saved Japanese lives as well. Prolonging the war was not an option for the President,” (ushistory.org 1). President Truman and the United States government made a fair decision by dropping the atomic bomb on the Japanese citizens in Hiroshima and Nagasaki during 1945. The bomb allowed the United States to appear more powerful and led to them influencing the rest of the world. The dropping of the atomic bomb was also a just response to the previous atrocities committed by Japan to other countries including the United States. In the long run, the bomb saved more lives that would have been lost in the war, since the bombs caused the

When the Japanese choose not to surrender President Truman makes the decision to use the atomic bomb rather than risk the 1,000,000 projected lives lost in a man to man combat war. Hiroshima was a chosen as

To what extent was Harry Truman’s decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki justified?

Although the Japanese believed it was dishonarable to surrender and probably thought they made the best decision, I am sure they didnt think about the lives they were putting in danger. The civilians that died were not to blame, and shouldnt have had to endure the devastions of the war but sadly they did live on a military port.

Truman was right to drop the atomic bomb, rather than invade Japan. Invading japan would have cost one million u.s. casualties and one million plus japan casualties. If Truman would have invaded Japan the Japanese Soldiers and civilians would fight to the death rather than be captured. Truman was right to drop the atomic bomb because, saved lives ,and was humane. Additionally, Truman was right to drop the atomic bomb because it saved lives.

The Japanese saw this as an incredible insult to their ruler, and therefore refused surrender (Lawton). The only reason why America could follow through with the term of “The alternative for Japan is prompt and utter destruction” (“Potsdam Declaration”) was because it had made the terms of the Potsdam Declaration completely disgraceful and unacceptable for Japan. Clive A. Lawton argues “Many Japanese politicians would only agree to surrender if Emperor Hirohito remained on the throne”. Had the U.S. revised its treaty terms in order to keep Hirohito in power and leave at least some of the Japanese military intact, Japan would have likely surrendered quicker and the bombs would not be needed.

President Truman did the right thing about dropping the Atomic Bomb. Truman wanted to end the war because the American soldiers were losing their lives. Before Truman dropped the Atomic bomb, he warns Japan he was going to drop it if they don’t surrender. Japan still doesn’t surrender, after warning Japan, he drops the Atomic bomb and nearly kills about 84,000 people, 14,000 people injured and over 250,000 building destroyed. The Atomic bomb made a “Mushroom clouds” the ashes from the atomic bomb was so high you couldn’t even see the light. When the bomb dropped it was very hot and people kept breathing hot air. Many people were left with burn marks and with mental issues because of what they saw.

President Truman made the right decision when choosing to use the atomic bomb against Japan. The bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The bomb prevented the deaths of many American lives. It proclaimed that if the Americans were to invade Japan on foot, over 500,000 casualties would have taken place (atom central). The atomic bomb was an easy and fast way to force Japan to surrender to the allied powers. Any of the other options to help the forcing of Japan's surrender were not as efficient and quick (J. Samuel Walker). Lastly, the atomic bomb was the most promising way to end the war; and allowed America to seek revenge for Pearl Harbor and save American soldiers from high death casualties. The atomic bomb prevented the deaths of thousands American lives as over 100,000 thousand had already been taken by fighting Japan in the Pacific (J. Samuel Walker). As an estimated number of deaths if we invaded Mainland Japan, the total would have been more than 500,000 men. This would have been

The decision to drop the bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was the hardest decision for President Truman to make. He had the power right there in his hands to end the war but he would have to unleash the most powerful weapon known to man, at this time. Everyone was very tired of fighting but the Japanese would not give up so Truman decided to drop it. Even though we told Japan that if they did not surrender we would completely demolish some of their cities, they did not listen and they did not surrender. Maybe they did not think about what kind of weapons we would use because