President Truman's Decision To Drop The Atomic Bombs
Lucas Goldoni
US2
Mr. Oosting
12/15/14
Decision to Drop the Atomic Bombs Essay President Truman was justified in using atomic weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August of 1945. As commander-in Chief of US Armed forces, President Truman was responsible for the men and women in harms way. Americans and Japanese were dying, suffering life-altering injuries and experiencing torture and deprivation in prison camps each day the war raged. Additionally, it is important to look at the cultural elements of Japan, , the possible invasion of Japan, and the American morale during this time, when addressing the justification of Truman's decision. Although the Americans had been "winning" before the bombing of Japan, the war was still raging and the Japanese were fully engaged in desperate attacks, including suicide missions, against American personnel. Despite military losses and firebombing of Tokyo and other cities, Japanese leaders were intent on continuing the war and exhorting their soldiers and civilians to fight to death. American soldiers, engaged in horrific …show more content…
The ultimatum included a series of surrender terms as well as stated that if Japan did not surrender, it would face "prompt and utter destruction". Although the statement had been somewhat vague (for safety purposes of the United States), Japan did nothing in response to the threat itself. After the first bombing on Hiroshima on August 6th, President Truman further warned Japan, stating in a speech that if Japan failed to accept the terms of the Potsdam Declaration, that the nation could "expect a rain of ruin from the air, the like of which has never been seen on this earth". Even after the first bomb dropped on the city of Hiroshima, the Japanese were still unwilling to
US2
Mr. Oosting
12/15/14
Decision to Drop the Atomic Bombs Essay President Truman was justified in using atomic weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August of 1945. As commander-in Chief of US Armed forces, President Truman was responsible for the men and women in harms way. Americans and Japanese were dying, suffering life-altering injuries and experiencing torture and deprivation in prison camps each day the war raged. Additionally, it is important to look at the cultural elements of Japan, , the possible invasion of Japan, and the American morale during this time, when addressing the justification of Truman's decision. Although the Americans had been "winning" before the bombing of Japan, the war was still raging and the Japanese were fully engaged in desperate attacks, including suicide missions, against American personnel. Despite military losses and firebombing of Tokyo and other cities, Japanese leaders were intent on continuing the war and exhorting their soldiers and civilians to fight to death. American soldiers, engaged in horrific …show more content…
The ultimatum included a series of surrender terms as well as stated that if Japan did not surrender, it would face "prompt and utter destruction". Although the statement had been somewhat vague (for safety purposes of the United States), Japan did nothing in response to the threat itself. After the first bombing on Hiroshima on August 6th, President Truman further warned Japan, stating in a speech that if Japan failed to accept the terms of the Potsdam Declaration, that the nation could "expect a rain of ruin from the air, the like of which has never been seen on this earth". Even after the first bomb dropped on the city of Hiroshima, the Japanese were still unwilling to