“Harry S Truman’s Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb.” National Park Service, https://www.nps.gov/articles/trumanatomicbomb.htm.
“Harry S Truman’s Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb” reports the reasoning behind President Truman’s choice to use the atomic bomb in World War II. Truman had four choices: conventional bombings, ground invasion, demonstration of the bomb on an unpopulated area, and bombing a populated area. The conventional bombing had already been tried, and it was not effective, so that wouldn’t work. The Japanese did not easily surrender, so a ground invasion would end with many American casualties. An island target was considered for the atomic bomb, but it raised several concerns, such as how the Japanese might react to the bomb. …show more content…
Many people died because of the atomic bomb, but about half the deaths occurred the first day when the bombs were dropped. The rest of these deaths were taken within the next few years, and the main cause of the deaths were burns, radiation, and cancer. Hiroshima and Nagasaki saw a spike in leukemia after the atomic bombs went off. Along with leukemia, many other cancers were caused, like thyroid cancer, lung cancer, and breast cancer. Another disease many got was anemia, and the effects of it might last up to 10 years. Cataracts was also common, and they were caused by high radiation levels. Many pregnant women had their child born with cognitive disabilities; some children were born underweight and others with microcephaly. When it came to the environment, everything seemed to be decimated. Many were afraid that the two cities would become nuclear wastelands, and that nothing would ever grow there again. However, in 1946, some hope was reborn when the oleander flower began to grow again, and the cities began to be …show more content…
Stimson was there firsthand, and from all the time he worked on the atomic bomb, he never heard it suggested that atomic energy should not be used in the war. By the spring of 1945 it became evident that the climax of the atomic effort was at hand. When Stimson discussed the bomb with President Truman, it was said, “Within four months we shall in all probability have completed the most terrible weapon ever known in human history.” The world in it’s state of moral advancement compared with technical development would be at the mercy of such a weapon. It was decided that the bomb should be used on a dual target— a military installation or war plant surrounded by buildings that can be susceptible damage. There was no technical demonstration that was likely to end the war, so there was no other alternative to direct military use. Japanese government might resist until the end, so the Americans who might attack would most likely be killed. If they began a forceful occupation of Japan, they would probably die from last ditch resistance. Stimson said that the Japanese nation has the mental intelligence to recognize the folly of a fight to the finish and accept the proffer of what will amount to an unconditional surrender. They decided to give a timed warning to Japan by the chief representatives of the Allies. The Premier of Japan decided that the warning was unworthy of public notice. Hiroshima was bombed
“Harry S Truman’s Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb” reports the reasoning behind President Truman’s choice to use the atomic bomb in World War II. Truman had four choices: conventional bombings, ground invasion, demonstration of the bomb on an unpopulated area, and bombing a populated area. The conventional bombing had already been tried, and it was not effective, so that wouldn’t work. The Japanese did not easily surrender, so a ground invasion would end with many American casualties. An island target was considered for the atomic bomb, but it raised several concerns, such as how the Japanese might react to the bomb. …show more content…
Many people died because of the atomic bomb, but about half the deaths occurred the first day when the bombs were dropped. The rest of these deaths were taken within the next few years, and the main cause of the deaths were burns, radiation, and cancer. Hiroshima and Nagasaki saw a spike in leukemia after the atomic bombs went off. Along with leukemia, many other cancers were caused, like thyroid cancer, lung cancer, and breast cancer. Another disease many got was anemia, and the effects of it might last up to 10 years. Cataracts was also common, and they were caused by high radiation levels. Many pregnant women had their child born with cognitive disabilities; some children were born underweight and others with microcephaly. When it came to the environment, everything seemed to be decimated. Many were afraid that the two cities would become nuclear wastelands, and that nothing would ever grow there again. However, in 1946, some hope was reborn when the oleander flower began to grow again, and the cities began to be …show more content…
Stimson was there firsthand, and from all the time he worked on the atomic bomb, he never heard it suggested that atomic energy should not be used in the war. By the spring of 1945 it became evident that the climax of the atomic effort was at hand. When Stimson discussed the bomb with President Truman, it was said, “Within four months we shall in all probability have completed the most terrible weapon ever known in human history.” The world in it’s state of moral advancement compared with technical development would be at the mercy of such a weapon. It was decided that the bomb should be used on a dual target— a military installation or war plant surrounded by buildings that can be susceptible damage. There was no technical demonstration that was likely to end the war, so there was no other alternative to direct military use. Japanese government might resist until the end, so the Americans who might attack would most likely be killed. If they began a forceful occupation of Japan, they would probably die from last ditch resistance. Stimson said that the Japanese nation has the mental intelligence to recognize the folly of a fight to the finish and accept the proffer of what will amount to an unconditional surrender. They decided to give a timed warning to Japan by the chief representatives of the Allies. The Premier of Japan decided that the warning was unworthy of public notice. Hiroshima was bombed