the other mike
Diamond Member
It's important to revisit the real history of Truman's decision to use nuclear weapons on Japan. Because everything they've taught us in the school history books is speculation and propaganda at best.
The Myth of the Atomic Bomb
Several other alternatives to an invasion and the atomic bomb existed at the time. Three major options included: intensifying bombing efforts, waiting for the Soviet Union to enter the war and force a surrender, and mitigating the demand for unconditional surrender by allowing the emperor to remain in place.
All of the options presented issues of their own and put the question of American image at stake. Japan was heavily weakened from the attacks, and so the possibility that the war could have ended before an invasion or use of the bomb was a valid one. Additionally, even if the United States had invaded Japan, military advisors believe that number of deaths would be far below the one million predicted by Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson.
The decision to drop the bomb did not originate from the question to drop it or not, it was a multifaceted one. Dropping the bomb allowed Truman to achieve many goals at once. He was able to end the war as early as possible as American moral was low in addition to making diplomatic gains with other countries.
The need to justify the effort and money that went into making the bombs existed and he lacked overall incentive not to use it. These factors, coupled with overall hatred of the Japanese, influenced Truman's decision to use the bomb.
The Myth of the Atomic Bomb
Several other alternatives to an invasion and the atomic bomb existed at the time. Three major options included: intensifying bombing efforts, waiting for the Soviet Union to enter the war and force a surrender, and mitigating the demand for unconditional surrender by allowing the emperor to remain in place.
All of the options presented issues of their own and put the question of American image at stake. Japan was heavily weakened from the attacks, and so the possibility that the war could have ended before an invasion or use of the bomb was a valid one. Additionally, even if the United States had invaded Japan, military advisors believe that number of deaths would be far below the one million predicted by Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson.
The decision to drop the bomb did not originate from the question to drop it or not, it was a multifaceted one. Dropping the bomb allowed Truman to achieve many goals at once. He was able to end the war as early as possible as American moral was low in addition to making diplomatic gains with other countries.
The need to justify the effort and money that went into making the bombs existed and he lacked overall incentive not to use it. These factors, coupled with overall hatred of the Japanese, influenced Truman's decision to use the bomb.