-Looking back and evaluating an historical moment in American History. A Presidential decision that would forever change the dynamics of the world as we know it. This article (from May/2005)marked the 60th Anniversary of President Truman's pivital decision to drop the bombs on Japanese cities that brought about the abrupt end to WWII. Sixty years later it is still widely debated, was this the decision the right one? You, the readers are left to decide. Here is a sizable portion of the article to go a long with that morning cup of java. Boldness Level: Strong
By. JSM
History 3822
May 2005
Truman and the Atomic Bomb Decision
President Truman’s decision to drop the Atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was both pivotal and monumental in terms of the effect it had not only on the citizens of Japan, but also on the future ways in which the United States would react and deal with foreign policy issues to come. There has been much speculation in the decades that have followed as to what ultimately led President Truman to make the decision that he made. What were his true motives in carrying out what seemed then and to many still seems like a drastic measure? No one except, perhaps Truman, himself knows the real reason, but there are certainly several indicators that would point toward numerous possibilities, some more legitimate and viable then others.
There is little doubt that tension was building between the two “super powers” of The United States and Soviet Union stemming from the Yalta Conference in which Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin met to discuss the fate of Germany following its’ collapse and defeat in World War II. Already wary of each other the U.S and the Russia failed to reach a compromise on how to handle Germany, both had different visions on its’ fate and this among other ideological differences created a great divide among the two nation’s working relationship. With the war not yet over and Japan still combating, the Soviets and the U.S remained reluctant allies, however the union was strained and President Truman saw this and knew that eventually The U.S would have to deal with the Soviets one way or another so a message needed to be sent that the U.S meant business.
At what lengths was Truman willing to go in order to show the world and the Soviets, in particular the capabilities that the United States possessed. At what lengths would he go to carry out the nation’s objectives toward establishing a democratic globalization and preventing the potential spread of communism? The answer to that question has been a great debate in the years since Truman’s Atomic bomb decision. One viable reason for Truman to go with such a decision would be to send a clear and strong message to the Soviet Union and specifically to display to them what nuclear capabilities the U.S had and were capable of using in order to resolve a conflict with an opposing nation if need be. Truman, it was believed made the decision he did in order to awe and to warn the Soviet Union of the destruction in which The U.S was capable of unleashing if it felt threatened or attacked.
Truman’s rationalization could have propelled him to make the decision based on his need to display the United State’s advanced nuclear technology and superiority over that of the Soviets. Thus, providing the U.S with the leverage in future negotiations with Russia by instilling in them the images of destruction laid upon the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This too could be the fate of the Soviet Union is the message many believe was intended by the dropping of the Atomic bombs. Further evidence would support this theory that will be touched upon in a moment.
A second possibility for the decision also revolved around his growing concern and distrust with Soviet intervention. Truman feared that if the Russians intervened and went into Japan that they would take control and occupy the country. The U.S felt inclined to end the war as quickly as possible once Nazi Germany had been defeated as to prevent this scenario from becoming a reality. Truman knew that once Germany was toppled, the Russians would then focus there efforts on Japan. Truman’s motivations for a quick conclusion then escalated to the point that he was willing to do whatever is necessary in order to create a quick and decisive resolution in its war with Japan. The threat of Soviet occupation was too great to chance, Truman is believed to have felt.
Closely related to this theory is the theory that Truman felt this was the best and quickest resolution toward ending World War II. He believed that dropping the Atomic bombs, while devastating would in the end save more lives then by prolonging the war and allowing it to drag on into months and months until negotiations were finally reached. Truman, it was believed was greatly concerned with avoiding the allowance of the war to linger. He rationalized that more lives of both Americans and Japanese could be saved if he ended the war abruptly and decisively with the dropping of the bombs. He feared that this was the only way to assure that Japan would concede the war, once two of their major cities were left in ruin. Having seen the Japanese in their war tactics and Kamikaze suicide missions, he knew that their great pride and determinism would not allow them to concede defeat via conventional means. If Truman was going to end the war with Japan, he was going to have to be the aggressor and do it in one brief and sudden burst.
The issue of time seems to have played at least a partial role in the decision making process involved, if the two previous theories are valid in their content. Having seen the fall of Nazi Germany, there likely was increased pressure by the American public to seek a quick resolution in the war with Japan. Truman’s decision could be a result of his administration’s desire to bring about an end to the war in the quickest fashion possible in order to boost American public support and at the same time allow them to divorce their ties with the Soviet Union.
It was also believed that once Germany was defeated, it was just a matter of time before Japan fell as well. However, if Japan managed to fight on and keep the war at a stagnant level, it would only create scrutiny and impatience within the U.S. Thus, The Truman Administration saw the Atomic bomb as a quick and problem solving (or) preventing solution. End the war now and go home was a possible reason for the President’s historic action.
Your Take???
*Right Call?
*Bad Decision?
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