The Manhattan Project team tested the world’s first atomic bomb during the summer of 1945, and after its successful detonation, the United States had a difficult decision to make. Japan had unleashed a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, destroying the Pacific Fleet and killing American citizens. The ensuing war against Japan lasted four long years and cost many casualties, and President Truman was resolved to find a way to end it. Two major options were provided, one that would cost a potential half-million American lives, and the other would unleash the destructive power of the A-bomb, killing thousands of Japanese civilians. America had already taken over Iwo Jima and Okinawa and was bombing Japanese cities, but Japan would not accept a surrender,
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This obviously was not the primary reason of dropping the bomb, but it might have been considered a welcome side effect. The bomb would serve the double purpose of ending a war as well as an impressive demonstration to the world of the United States’ dominating power.
Another reason is the whole Manhattan Project. America spent roughly two billion dollars on the research and development of the atomic bomb, and now that an enemy was attacking our country, it made sense to use it. The U.S. was not callous in its deployment of the bomb; it gave the Japanese the chance to surrender at the Potsdam Conference, warning them of the power of the new “special bombs.” However, the emperor publicly refused when the terms of the Potsdam declaration text were leafletted into Japan. Due to this refusal, the bombs were dropped. (National Archives Petition to the President)
Given Japan’s no-surrender mentality of battle, incredibly aggressive form of fighting, and expansionist nationalism, it appeared highly unlikely to the United States that the Japanese would surrender anytime soon. Japan had been offered a peaceful surrender, and had refused. Therefore, in order to save as many American lives as possible and to end the bitter war as quickly as possible, the bombs were dropped. The outcome of the bombing was an immediate success, with the Japanese surrendering only six days
This obviously was not the primary reason of dropping the bomb, but it might have been considered a welcome side effect. The bomb would serve the double purpose of ending a war as well as an impressive demonstration to the world of the United States’ dominating power.
Another reason is the whole Manhattan Project. America spent roughly two billion dollars on the research and development of the atomic bomb, and now that an enemy was attacking our country, it made sense to use it. The U.S. was not callous in its deployment of the bomb; it gave the Japanese the chance to surrender at the Potsdam Conference, warning them of the power of the new “special bombs.” However, the emperor publicly refused when the terms of the Potsdam declaration text were leafletted into Japan. Due to this refusal, the bombs were dropped. (National Archives Petition to the President)
Given Japan’s no-surrender mentality of battle, incredibly aggressive form of fighting, and expansionist nationalism, it appeared highly unlikely to the United States that the Japanese would surrender anytime soon. Japan had been offered a peaceful surrender, and had refused. Therefore, in order to save as many American lives as possible and to end the bitter war as quickly as possible, the bombs were dropped. The outcome of the bombing was an immediate success, with the Japanese surrendering only six days