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.

War in the Pacific

Read Chapter 25-3 (pg 784)

1. What was the importance of the Battle of Midway?
The Battle of Midway was a turning point for the Pacific War. By the end of the Battle of Midway, the Japanese had lost 4 aircraft carriers, a cruiser, and 250 planes and soon the allies began "island hopping".

2. What strategy did the United States adopt in fighting Japan?

3. Why did the Japanese fight so hard on Iwo Jima?
It was critical to the U.S. as a base from which heavily loaded bombers might reach Japan.

4. Why did the Allies believe Okinawa was a foretaste of an invasion of Japan?
Because Churchill predicted that the cost would be a million American lives and half that number of British lives and by the end of the battle 7,600 Americans had died which was a taste of the real thing, when they actually invade Japan.

5. What was the Manhattan Project?
The Manhattan Project was the atomic bomb.

6. Ultimately, why did President Truman decide to drop atomic bombs on Japan?
It was his only way to avoid an invasion of Japan.