August 7, 1945, Harry Truman, President of the United States of America paced his office as he considered the consummating destruction of Hiroshima, Japan. Just one day earlier, his responsibilities required him to make a world altering decision. As commander in chief of the U.S. Military, he had to choose whether or not to unleash the raw power of America’s newly developed atomic technology on Japan. Because they refused to surrender, Japan tasted that raw power not once, but twice. Three days after American B-29 Bomber planes wreaked havoc on Hiroshima, they flew a new route over Nagasaki, Japan in hopes of ending World War II.
Although they helped to end World War II and save thousands of lives, some people still debate Harry Truman’s decision …show more content…
America had been at war with Japan for too long. Japan knew they had virtually no hopes of winning at the rate the war was going, yet refused to surrender. Not only did the nation refuse to surrender as a whole, but even when American troops stormed islands to seize them, the Japanese fought down to last man in valiant defense. For example in _____ they fought to ___ men, and in _____, they fought to ___ men. Japan’s insistent rejection of defeat posed a problem for the U.S. They couldn’t leave the battle with Japan, despite proven military superiority, and yet since Japan refused give in, America had to pursue the battle to the end. Ultimately, the choice that Truman was making was choosing between Japanese lives, and both American and Japanese lives. He could extend the war by sending troops to continue fighting, which would post even more casualties, or he could choose to settle the matter swiftly and decisively, letting Japan know that they were serious about ending the war by using atomic bombs. Even in his decision, he carefully weighed the costs, and gave Japan the option to surrender. They didn’t budge however. Unfortunately, America could not simply walk out of the war, for to Japan, it was not over, and they would continue to launch attacks. They could not come to terms of peace with Japan because of their resistance to the very end, and so the nuclear weapon …show more content…
He had the responsibility as president to protect the country, and any other choice simply did not do so. All options put American lives in danger. Even in his decision, he made sure he did not use the weapon on any culturally historical cities, and also dropped thousands of messages over both Hiroshima and Nagasaki before bombing days warning the citizens and the military. In doing this, using the bomb was granting a chance for those who wanted to live do so, and bringing death upon those who would not budge. Japan was given the chance, but refused it. Truman’s decision was the decision to preserve as many lives as possible, particularly American
Although they helped to end World War II and save thousands of lives, some people still debate Harry Truman’s decision …show more content…
America had been at war with Japan for too long. Japan knew they had virtually no hopes of winning at the rate the war was going, yet refused to surrender. Not only did the nation refuse to surrender as a whole, but even when American troops stormed islands to seize them, the Japanese fought down to last man in valiant defense. For example in _____ they fought to ___ men, and in _____, they fought to ___ men. Japan’s insistent rejection of defeat posed a problem for the U.S. They couldn’t leave the battle with Japan, despite proven military superiority, and yet since Japan refused give in, America had to pursue the battle to the end. Ultimately, the choice that Truman was making was choosing between Japanese lives, and both American and Japanese lives. He could extend the war by sending troops to continue fighting, which would post even more casualties, or he could choose to settle the matter swiftly and decisively, letting Japan know that they were serious about ending the war by using atomic bombs. Even in his decision, he carefully weighed the costs, and gave Japan the option to surrender. They didn’t budge however. Unfortunately, America could not simply walk out of the war, for to Japan, it was not over, and they would continue to launch attacks. They could not come to terms of peace with Japan because of their resistance to the very end, and so the nuclear weapon …show more content…
He had the responsibility as president to protect the country, and any other choice simply did not do so. All options put American lives in danger. Even in his decision, he made sure he did not use the weapon on any culturally historical cities, and also dropped thousands of messages over both Hiroshima and Nagasaki before bombing days warning the citizens and the military. In doing this, using the bomb was granting a chance for those who wanted to live do so, and bringing death upon those who would not budge. Japan was given the chance, but refused it. Truman’s decision was the decision to preserve as many lives as possible, particularly American