Why did President Harry Truman order the dropping of atomic bombs on Japan in 1945
– 400 words for the question
Question: Why did President Harry Truman order the dropping of atomic bombs on Japan in 1945? Do you agree or disagree with his decision? Why or why not?
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– Respond to the two answers
– Respond to them separately
– 200 words each
Answer 1: President Harry Truman ordered the dropping of the atomic bombs on both Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 with the intent to force Japan into a surrender. At the time, most countries were looking into making weapons that were extremely powerful and threatening and so the Atomic Age began.
Albert Einstein had encouraged President Truman to launch an atomic research project which was named the Manhattan Project. The Manhattan Project was the code name for the American-led effort in the development of a functional atomic weapon during World War II. After learning that the Manhattan Project was in fact a success, Truman was faced with an unprecedented decision to make. After years of the war, Americans were growing weary but Japan’s military was refusing to give in to the fight.President Truman supported his decision to drop two bombs by saying his decision was purely military. He believed that by sending the bombs, he had saved the lives of both Japanese and Americans by ending a war that could’ve been prolonged. He also believed that a Normandy type landing would cost even more casualties than the bombs would and Americans were suffering greatly from Japanese “kamikaze” attacks. The Kamikaze attacks were a Japanese suicide bombing tactic designed to take down enemy warships. Pilots would crash their planes (specifically designed to make impact like these) into the Allied ships to destroy them.
The decision to drop the bombs on two of Japan’s major cities was a heavy one but the result comes into question: “Was it worth it?” In the end 170,000 Hiroshima citizens and 80,000 Nagasaki citizens had died from the atomic bomb and Japan eventually announced their surrender on August 14, 1945. The bombs had been successful in forcing Japan into a surrender but at an inhumane level. About 200,000 people died and from the two bombs being dropped, a nuclear terror led to a dangerous arms race. It could be argued that it was President Truman’s decision that led to the negative and long term consequences and even as the first shots of the Cold War. I can see that the first bombing could have been necessary in trying for a surrender but the second bomb on Japan was completely unnecessary. Japan was already on its knees and suffering from the loss of Hiroshima but to have a second major bombing wipe out another 100,000 citizens is irrational on the United States and President Truman’s part.
Answer 2: Before the first atomic bomb was dropped, Japan was ruthlessly attacking the Americans and proving to be a larger threat than anticipated. Even though the Germans were taken down, Japan’s military did not ease up. The Japanese were known to fight till their dying breath for their country and our military realized that larger action needed to be taken. On August 6, 1945, Harry Truman, after much careful thought gave the green light to drop the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. The explosion immediately wiped out 90 percent of the city, instantly killed 80,000 Japanese, injured tens of thousands and killed many afterwards from the radiation poisoning.
After this incident, the Japanese Emperor, Hirohito, could not believe the news of the bombing. It seemed like a science fiction story and required further investigation before making a decision to continue fighting or surrender. Before receiving enough information, Harry Truman allowed the second bomb to be dropped on Nagasaki killing an estimated 40,000 citizens. After realizing that the reports were true, Hirohito surrendered to the U.S. In their culture at the time, suicide was a better option than surrender and many Japanese, including families, would preform this act. The most common method is called sepukku or more commonly known as harakiri, where they would cut open their abdomen with a blade. This made the U.S. military realize that bombing Japan with an atomic bomb would have a less devastating effect than continuing the war if you include the American deaths that were estimated to occur.
I feel as though the first bombing was in a sense necessary, but the second bombing in Nagasaki was launched too soon. After the Hiroshima, the emperor was considering surrender because if the reports were true, Hirohito realized the war was truly lost. Even though the Japanese were strong combatants, they could not face the devastation of the atomic fallout. By the looks of it, the U.S. did not give the Japanese enough time to think things over before attacking Nagasaki and the second bombing was in vain. Not to mention, the atomic bomb was not yet well researched and the after effects were not yet known. In hindsight, Harry Truman must have realized these actions made America look just as ruthless as the Japanese, but we must also remember the desperation we faced. Families were worried about prolonging WWII and did not want to sent of their youth to fight a war that could be won overnight.
Answer preview to why did President Harry Truman order the dropping of atomic bombs on Japan in 1945
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