Dropping the Atomic Bomb

1. What factors have affected viewpoints on Truman's decision?

The Allied ships had to kill or capture every one of the 100,000 Japanese soldiers defending Okinawa-none of them would surrender. Allied ships have also been badly damaged by Japanese kamikaze suicide bombers. The Allies were a little stuck and needed to do something that would scare the Japanese off. Truman had a few decisions, to drop the bomb or not and if he should warn the Japanese. Some people agree with Truman's decision because many people had a vengeance against the Japanese. Also when Hirohito surrendered after the bombing of Nagasaki, it proved that it was the right decision. Others didn't agree with Truman's decision because they thought that the bomb served no military purpose and was because, as an anti-communists, Truman wanted to scare the Soviet Union.


2. Do you think he made the right decision? Give your reasons.

I think that Truman made the right decision on Japan. They just let Truman in on the plans as soon as he became president, and it seems as though he had to do something quick about Japan, so i guess dropping an atomic bomb on them is a pretty quick problem solver. The bomb was also a good way to scare Japan, and/or others, away from wanting to fight in war. For example, Japanese military were determined to fight till the finish, but after Truman bombed Nagasaki, Hirohito's will prevailed and Japan surrendered on August 14, 1945.