How Did Truman Make The Decision To Drop The Atomic Bomb
Dropping the Atomic Bomb
On August 6, 1945, President Harry S. Truman made the decision to drop an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. Then on August 9, 1945, Truman ordered a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan. These two decisions were based the war timeline, war casualties, the successful completion of atomic bomb testing, the war experience with Japan, and the political conditions related to potential Russian claims on Japan. The atomic bomb decision was primarily driven by the weariness of war. The scientific and humanitarian impacts arguing against the atomic bomb did not come until after the fact and in some cases not until many years later. The war with Japan and Nazi Germany had taken its toll on the U.S. and Americans were ready …show more content…
After 4 years of U.S. fighting in WWII, the country was exhausted from the war and the loss of American lives. The completion of the atomic bomb testing in July 1945 was timely and its effectiveness was reassuring. Finally, Truman wanted to ensure the Soviet Union could not stake claim to any post-war agreements with Japan, as he did with Germany during the Potsdam Conference. The U.S. had learned from Iwo Jima and Okinawa that fighting Japan would be costly and lengthy. The firebombing raids which preceded the atomic bombs were already destroying land and lives in Japan and the potential loss of land and life by the atomic bombs were thought to be less. Additionally, the firebombing did not bring Japan any closer to surrender. The estimates of U.S. casualties in a ground invasion of Japan and the thought of extending the war for another year was not acceptable. Then, after the bombing at Hiroshima, Japan still would not surrender (Tindall & Shi, 2013). Truman did not make the decision to use the atomic bomb on his own, he consulted his cabinet and Churchill and Stalin were aware of the capability from the Potsdam conference. Truman’s decision to order the second bombing of Nagasaki was his last effort to put an end to the war with Japan. This was Truman’s final act causing Japan to surrender on August 14, 1945, ending World War
On August 6, 1945, President Harry S. Truman made the decision to drop an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. Then on August 9, 1945, Truman ordered a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan. These two decisions were based the war timeline, war casualties, the successful completion of atomic bomb testing, the war experience with Japan, and the political conditions related to potential Russian claims on Japan. The atomic bomb decision was primarily driven by the weariness of war. The scientific and humanitarian impacts arguing against the atomic bomb did not come until after the fact and in some cases not until many years later. The war with Japan and Nazi Germany had taken its toll on the U.S. and Americans were ready …show more content…
After 4 years of U.S. fighting in WWII, the country was exhausted from the war and the loss of American lives. The completion of the atomic bomb testing in July 1945 was timely and its effectiveness was reassuring. Finally, Truman wanted to ensure the Soviet Union could not stake claim to any post-war agreements with Japan, as he did with Germany during the Potsdam Conference. The U.S. had learned from Iwo Jima and Okinawa that fighting Japan would be costly and lengthy. The firebombing raids which preceded the atomic bombs were already destroying land and lives in Japan and the potential loss of land and life by the atomic bombs were thought to be less. Additionally, the firebombing did not bring Japan any closer to surrender. The estimates of U.S. casualties in a ground invasion of Japan and the thought of extending the war for another year was not acceptable. Then, after the bombing at Hiroshima, Japan still would not surrender (Tindall & Shi, 2013). Truman did not make the decision to use the atomic bomb on his own, he consulted his cabinet and Churchill and Stalin were aware of the capability from the Potsdam conference. Truman’s decision to order the second bombing of Nagasaki was his last effort to put an end to the war with Japan. This was Truman’s final act causing Japan to surrender on August 14, 1945, ending World War