The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 are encased in one of the most controversial presidential decisions of America’s history. The war on the European front was coming to an end, but Japan still held a firm fighting position against the Allied Powers. With each Japanese island the U.S. Army seized control of, American casualties increased evermore. The next phase of crippling Japan’s fighting power was to invade the southern island of Kyushu, and eventually the main island of Honshu – islands twice, and three times the size of the preceding islands. Due to the increasing amount of casualties each island demonstrated, alternative options had to be discussed before proceeding with one of the most costly invasions America would undertake.
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It is important to address the position the committee played in the atomic decision. Despite however influential their decision may have been for Truman, their decision was completely advisory, and the final decision rested upon Truman himself. As heavy as the discussion must have been, the committee “unanimously” recommended that the atomic bomb be used against Japan “as soon as possible” on a “dual target – that is, a military installation, or war plant surrounded by or adjacent to houses, and other buildings most susceptible to damage,” and “without prior warning” of the bombing (Stimson, 1947 p. 4). The immediate use of the bomb upon completion was crucial for America, because the island hopping strategy of the U.S. Army, although effective in acquiring Japanese territory, proved ineffective with saving American lives. The bloodshed Japanese soldiers could produce on the outlying islands of Japan was horrendous. As such, Army and Naval generals could only imagine what kind of fight the Japanese would put up on the main island. It was this reason why an advanced warning, such as a demonstration of the atomic bomb in an uninhabited area, could not be done. The goal of using the atomic bomb was to induce Japan to surrender; however, if the Japanese were to see America released a dud – …show more content…
Despite this weakening, Japan’s will to fight seemed to only increase with each successive air raid, and island conquer. In some instances, a mere group of 10 Japanese soldiers would attempt to fight off an entire battalion of American soldiers; despite the overwhelming odds, only death would cease the Japanese attack. These acts would seem heroic in nature; however, the fight-to-the-death national pride was nation wide. Japan believed submitting to the enemy was not an option, and soldiers would be more honored dying at the enemy’s hand. With such a mindset, America would have to kill every last Japanese soldier to stop the
It is important to address the position the committee played in the atomic decision. Despite however influential their decision may have been for Truman, their decision was completely advisory, and the final decision rested upon Truman himself. As heavy as the discussion must have been, the committee “unanimously” recommended that the atomic bomb be used against Japan “as soon as possible” on a “dual target – that is, a military installation, or war plant surrounded by or adjacent to houses, and other buildings most susceptible to damage,” and “without prior warning” of the bombing (Stimson, 1947 p. 4). The immediate use of the bomb upon completion was crucial for America, because the island hopping strategy of the U.S. Army, although effective in acquiring Japanese territory, proved ineffective with saving American lives. The bloodshed Japanese soldiers could produce on the outlying islands of Japan was horrendous. As such, Army and Naval generals could only imagine what kind of fight the Japanese would put up on the main island. It was this reason why an advanced warning, such as a demonstration of the atomic bomb in an uninhabited area, could not be done. The goal of using the atomic bomb was to induce Japan to surrender; however, if the Japanese were to see America released a dud – …show more content…
Despite this weakening, Japan’s will to fight seemed to only increase with each successive air raid, and island conquer. In some instances, a mere group of 10 Japanese soldiers would attempt to fight off an entire battalion of American soldiers; despite the overwhelming odds, only death would cease the Japanese attack. These acts would seem heroic in nature; however, the fight-to-the-death national pride was nation wide. Japan believed submitting to the enemy was not an option, and soldiers would be more honored dying at the enemy’s hand. With such a mindset, America would have to kill every last Japanese soldier to stop the