Why Truman Ordered The Dropping Of The Atomic Bomb

Jaehun Lee F Block, APUSH 3/14/16 Option A, Option B, or Both?: Why Truman Ordered the Dropping of the Atomic Bomb Throughout American history, the art of war has become increasingly advanced and geared to kill more people. This was especially true in the early 20th century with World Wars I and II, when tactics and weaponry were being developed with the objective of mass destruction (i.e. total war, civilian bombing, etc.), and reached its climax in the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August of 1945. The atomic bomb was a revolutionary invention that raised many questions, most comprehensively, why? Why did we drop the atomic bombs? This question regarding the motivations behind dropping the atomic bomb has been mostly buried by the actual event. While Truman himself stated in an August 1945 radio address and further emphasized in his 1955 memoirs that the atomic bombs were dropped in order to â€Å"shorten the agony of war, [and] save the lives of thousands and thousands of young Americans† (Doc H), historians and government officials are split on the issue of the t rue motivations behind dropping the a-bombs. However, given his sour relationship with Stalin, it is clear that Truman intended the bomb to be used more than merely as an atomic weapon. When the Truman Administration made the decision to drop the atomic bombs, it was both military and diplomatic. The decision was militaristic in that it tried to end the war with Japan in the most efficientShow MoreRelatedThe Atomic Bomb Was A Revolutionary Invention1528 Words   |  7 Pagesreached its peak with the US dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August of 1945. The atomic bomb was a revolutionary invention that raised many questions, most comprehensively, why? Why did we drop the atomic bombs? This question regarding the motivations behind dropping the atomic bomb has been mostly buried by the actual event. While Truman himself stated in an August 1945 radio address and further emphasized in his 1955 memoirs that the atomic bombs were dropped in order to â€Å"shortenRead MoreThe Dropping Of The Atomic Bomb Essay1734 Words   |  7 PagesThe dropping of the atomic bomb was used to save American lives; the most common excuse as to why President Harry Truman decided to drop the atomic bomb on Japan. In Major Problems in the History of World War II it has been discussed in the chapter The Atomic Bomb and the End of World War II that former President Truman recalled how he learned about the atomic bomb project as well as the public opinion on the Atomic Bomb. I believe that the solution that Truman gave when dropping the Atomic BombRead MoreAtomic Bomb Dbq949 Words   |  4 Pagesof one of the most destructive weapons known to humanity occurred within the United States. This weapon, known as â€Å"the atomic bomb,† was used on the two Japanese cities: Hiroshima and Nagasaki, re sulting 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’sRead MoreEssay Pres, Truman Atomic Bomb Decision1421 Words   |  6 PagesPresident Trumans Decision to drop the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki During World War II the war in Europe ended after the unconditional German surrender at General Eisenhowers Headquarters in Reims, France, May 7, 1945. After the unconditional German surrender in Europe the war shifted to Asia and the Pacific. As the war continued against Japan the Allied forces captured islands such as Iwo Jima and Okinaawa close to Japan brought the Japanese homeland within range of naval and airRead MoreEssay on Atomic Bombing on Japan937 Words   |  4 PagesHiroshima: Was Dropping the Atomic Bomb a Military Necessity? On the morning of August 6th, 1945 at around 8:16 a.m., the United States dropped the first bomb on Hiroshima. This bomb was given the nickname â€Å"Little Boy.† Three days after the first atomic bomb was dropped, on August 9th, 1945 at around 11:02 a.m., the United States dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki. This bomb was given the nickname â€Å"Fat Man.† These two bombs immensely destroyed these cities and took the lives of many peopleRead MoreAtomic Bomb Necessary Essay912 Words   |  4 PagesThe Atomic Bomb – Was It Necessary? â€Å"In 1957, with the arms race in full swing, the Department of Defense had decided it was just a matter of time before an airplane transporting an atomic bomb would crash on American soil, unleashing a radioactive disaster the likes of which the world had never seem.† On August 6, 1945, the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, killing 20,000 soldiers and 70,000 – 126,000 civilians. On August 9, 1945, the second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, killingRead MoreThe Atomic Bombs in Japan1373 Words   |  6 PagesOn August 6th, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima without any precedent. The explosion viciously destroyed four square miles of the city and killed 90,000 and injured 40,000. (Weber, â€Å"Was Hiroshima Necessary?†) Three days later, a second atomic bomb stroked the city of Nagasaki which killed approximately 37,000 people and injured 43,000 (Weber, â€Å"Was Hiroshima Necessary?†). These actions of the United States still remain controversial today and the UnitedRead MoreHarry S. Trumans Accomplishments: Dessegregation and Hiroshima1731 Words   |  7 Pagessubject to be analyzed, scrutinized, and debated for the rest of eternity. These decisions are how that man will be judged. Out of the 44 men to hold this honored position, one man, Harry S. Truman, made several proclamations such as the institution of Desegregation in the US Military, the dropping the atomic bombs, and the declaration of the Martial Law, which forever changed our society and the world as we know it. One of Truman’s greatest accomplishments is when he desegregated the Armed ServicesRead MoreWar Crimes Against Harry Truman1743 Words   |  7 PagesHarry Truman Over the course of time there has always been a debate on whether or not Harry Truman should have been convicted of war crimes after the drop of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. People believe Truman was innocent, but at the same time a large amount also believe he should have been punished for his actions. Which side one believes to be true depends on the perspective of the situation. An American might believe President Truman was justified for allowing the atomic bombs toRead MoreTruman s President Of The World War II Essay1617 Words   |  7 PagesPresident Truman was faced with extremely difficult decisions within in his few months of being president after FDR’s death. During Truman’s vice presidency he was kept in the dark about a massive secret the United States was constructing. The United States was working on constructing an Atomic Bomb to change the world and the way our military fought forever. The day Vice President Truman became President Truman was the first time he was informed of the Manhattan Project. â€Å"When Truman became President