A New Weapon of Devastation
analytical Essay
691 words
“Suddenly, there was an enormous flash of light, the brightest light I have ever seen or that I think anyone has ever seen. It blasted; it pounced; it bored its way into you. It was a sight which was seen with more than the eye. It was seen to last forever. You would wish it would stop; altogether it lasted about two seconds.” (Isaac)
The decision to employ atomic weapons against Japan remains a controversial chapter in American history. Even before the new President Harry S. Truman finalized his decision to use the bombs, members of the President’s inner circle grappled with the specifics of the decision to drop the new weapon, including those who were the backbones of the Manhattan project, the very scientists that gave birth to this devastating weapon. President Truman should have listened well to the creators, their well-founded concerns revolved around a cluster of related issues: whether the use of the technology was necessary to defeat an already crippled Japan; whether a similar outcome could be effected without using the bomb against civilian targets; and what effect the demonstration of the bomb’s devastating power would have on postwar diplomacy. (Hamner)
The devastating strikes of the atomic bomb on two of Japan’s cities should be phrased as “kicking a country while it’s down.” President Harry Truman was torn at the decision to mark Hiroshima as their new target. Historians speculate that the president’s advisors on the matter were exceedingly different, including the opinion of the military, the scientists in the Manhattan Project, all of the Allies, and of course the president himself. Japan had already suffered approximately 9,702,000 deaths, and with the first strike, added 672,000 lives to the list. In 1995, ...
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...hives, Mar-April 2000. Web. 7 Nov. 2013.
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Secondary Sources
Burr, William "The Atomic Bomb and the End of World War II: A Collection of Primary Sources." The Atomic Bomb and the End of World War II: A Collection of Primary Sources. The National Security Archive, 27 Apr. 2007. Web. 08 Nov. 2013.
Hamner, Christopher. "Teaching History.org, Home of the National History Education Clearinghouse." The Atomic Bomb: Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Teaching History, n.d. Web. 07 Nov. 2013.
Sheikin, Steve. "Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous Weapon." Us.macmillan.com. Macmillan US, 4 Sept. 2012. Web. 7 Nov. 2013.
BBC "WW2 People's War." BBC News. Ed. BBC. BBC, June 2005. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how america ended world war ii, but the action that ended the conflict raised a new response: fear.
- Analyzes how humans created a weapon capable of wiping our species off.
- Explains that bbc "ww2 people's war." bbc news. ed. bbc.
- Narrates how the flash of light blasted, pounced, and bored its way into them. it was a sight seen with more than the eye.
- Argues that the decision to use atomic weapons against japan remains a controversial chapter in american history.
- Opines that the usa may not have had a great solution, but an effective one.
- Explains burr, william, "the atomic bomb and the end of world war ii: a collection of primary sources."
Related
- analytical
- explanatory
- argumentative
- Truman, the Atomic Bomb, and the Shaping of the Postwar Worldanalytical essayThe private papers of President Truman as well as the diaries of other political and military figures offer helpful insights. Personal accounts of the scientists at the Trinity test site are also used in examining the decision to drop the atomic bomb.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that president truman weighed military information, postwar politics, and foreign policy when he considered dropping the atomic bomb on japan.
- Explains that many cultural and racial beliefs about the japanese played into the decision to drop the atomic bomb.
- Explains that the private papers of president truman and the diaries of other political and military figures offer helpful insights. personal accounts of the scientists at the trinity test site are also used in examining the decision to drop the atomic bomb.
- Analyzes post-war us foreign policy from an atomic perspective which allows a person from my generation to understand the policies that were created by and followed from the cold war.
- Explains that there were a few options available to the united states at the time.
- Opines that a land option was supported by the navy and air force.
- Opines that top military leaders urged truman not to use the atomic bomb, or encouraged the use.
- Describes the factors that could be used to make decisions in japan.
- Explains that the paper examines the pressures on harry truman that led him to authorize the use of atomic bombs.
- Describes how the united states dropped atomic bombs on japan in august 1945, bringing about dramatic changes in diplomacy between the soviet union and the u.s.
- Explains that truman had a few options in ending the war in the pacific. militarily, he had the advantage.
- Analyzes how robert l. messer examines truman's decision to use atomic bombs. he concludes that not all of his military advisors agreed to end the war in japan.
- Analyzes how secretary of war henry stimson in his diary outlined the reasons not to use american troops to harry truman.
- Analyzes how gar alperovitz outlines various military leaders' opposition to using the bomb in his article "more on atomic diplomacy."
- Analyzes how military leaders had concluded that the war was over and that japan was unable to continue fighting. they agree with alperovitz' assessment of truman's knowledge of japan’s attempt to make peace
- Analyzes how admiral leahy regretted and opposed the use of the atomic bomb at hiroshima and nagasaki.
- Explains that admiral leahy was not the only military leader who opposed the use of the bomb on military or personal reasons. eisenhower expressed his feelings after being briefed by secretary of war stimson.
- Analyzes how eisenhower's response raises interesting questions about the soviet factor in postwar diplomacy.
- Explains that undersecretary of the navy ralph bard met with truman before the potsdam conference to persuade him that peace was at hand, only the united states had to offer it to japan.
- Analyzes how alperovitz encapsulates truman's argument that military necessity was not the primary reason for using the bomb on japan.
- Argues that truman's decision to use atomic bombs on japan was not entirely military.
- Analyzes how truman's decision to use atomic bombs on japan was a political decision managing post-war politics with russia. stalin was distrustful of him after the death of president roosevelt.
- Analyzes how truman set forth in his diaries his understanding of the importance of soviet entry into the war with japan.
- Argues that atomic bombs cannot be justified as the only alternative to a u.s. invasion. for truman, the end of the war seemed at hand.
- Analyzes how truman's tone changed when he received news that the bomb was successfully detonated at trinity test site in new mexico.
- Analyzes how truman's diary indicates a change in tactics. instead of waiting on the russians to get into the war, he decided to bomb japan as soon as possible.
- Analyzes how secretary of state james byrnes convinced truman to use the bomb to further u.s. foreign policy objectives.
- Analyzes how szilard was not the only one concerned with byrnes' appraisal in using the bomb to make russia more manageable.
- Analyzes how stimson indicated in his diary that the state department had concerns about russia.
- Analyzes stimson's view that the russians will understand them better than anything else. even robert oppenheimer knew of the effort to use the bomb as a diplomatic poker chip.
- Opines that the intent of this paper is not to second-guess the use of atomic bombs on japan, but to gain a more realistic perspective as to why truman decided to use the bomb.
- Analyzes how the views expressed in the video "day after trinity" do not correlate with the public proclamations of the scientists upon immediately developing the bomb.
- Argues that the atomic bomb is ruthless in its destructive power and should not be used on japan.
- Explains that leo szilard and the co-signers understood and appreciated the power and devastation that the bomb would have on the people of japan.
- Explains that general groves was aware of the harmful effects of radioactive fallout produced by the trinity test detonation.
- Analyzes how harry truman called a stop to the bombings because he couldn't bear the thought of killing "all those kids."
- Analyzes how truman's view of the japanese as subhuman mongrels colored his decisions to use atomic bombs. retaliation for the unprovoked attack of pearl harbor could also have been a factor.
- Opines that the idea of the "yellow peril" had been pervasive in the united states before and throughout the war.
- Analyzes how truman's radio speech announcing the atomic bombings describes hiroshima as military target and urges japanese civilians to leave industrial cities and save themselves from destruction.
- Concludes that harry s. truman dropped the atomic bombs on hiroshima and nagasaki to save american lives. however, his personal views misled him into disregarding information about the dangers of the bomb.
- Opines that robert h. ferrell, off the record: the private papers of harry s. truman, new york: harper and row, 1980.
- Cites harry s. truman's public papers of the united states presidents from april 12 to december 31, 1945.
- Explains sitkoff, harvard, and chafe, william h. a history of our time: readings on postwar america.
- Analyzes u.s. atomic energy commission, in the matter of j. robert oppenheimer: transcript of hearing before personnel security board, washington d.c., april 12, 1954, through may 6, 1954.
- Describes u.s. department of state's foreign relations, the conference of berlin (potsdam) 1945.
- Explains the u.s. national archives, record group 77, records of the office of chief of engineers, manhattan engineer district, ts manhattan project files folder 4, "trinity test."
- Explains the u.s. national archives, record group 77, records of the office of chief of engineers, manhattan engineer district, harrison-bundy file, folder #76
- Describes the u.s. national archives, record group 200, national archive gift collection, "diary of lt. gen. leslie r. groves, microfilm roll #2.
- Explains that they have to decide japanese strategy, whether to invade japan or bomb and blockade japan.
- Opines that they have to make it perfectly clear to russia and great britain that santa claus is dead and that their first interest is u.s.a., then they want the jap war won and 'em both in it.
- Opines that stalin went to war against japan august 15 with no strings on it. he wanted a chinese settlement in return for entering the pacific war, china would give russia some land and other concessions.
- Opines that stalin and russia will be in the jap war on august 15th.
- Advises the sec. of war, mr. stimson, to use the atomic bomb against japan between now and august 10th.
- Opines that byrnes was concerned about russia's postwar behavior. he thought it would be difficult to persuade russia to withdraw her troops from hungary and rumania.
- Opines that byrnes was anxious to get the japanese affair over with before the russians got in, with particular reference to the manchirian ports of dairen and port arthur.
- Asks, should a soviet demand for participation in the military occupation of the japanese home islands be granted or would such occupation adversely affect our long-term policy for the future treatment of japan?
- Opines that the method to deal with russia was to keep our mouths shut and let our actions speak for words.
6412 wordsRead More - A Choice That Will Change the Worldanalytical essayNever in U.S. History has the fate of millions laid in the hands of one man, President Harry S. Truman. Truman became president after the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt in April, 1945. This shift into presidency left Truman with the choice to use atomic weaponry for the first time in human history. Truman’s decision to use atomic bombs depends on scenarios provided by the Secretary of War Henry Stimson and the Secretary of State James Byrnes. Both secretaries have substantial justifications for their arguments in which either decision possesses implications that will change the status of the war and the world. While Truman’s decision will be elaborated on at the end of this piece it is beneficial to establish an appropriate standpoint for Truman. Ultimately, Truman’s choice to utilize an atomic bomb is up to him. Nonetheless, it is justifiable to claim that implementing an atomic bomb against Japan is a suitable decision because there is a higher probability of saving more military and civilian lives than a full-scale invasion.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that president harry s. truman's decision to use atomic bombs depends on scenarios provided by the secretary of war henry stimson and the secretary of state james byrnes.
- Analyzes how the secretary of war henry stimson argues that a negotiated surrender should be sought after since the war is nearing its end.
- Analyzes stimson's stance that the u.s. should not detonate an atomic bomb on japan because it will lead to an arms race and the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
- Analyzes how the secretary of state james byrnes argues that it doesn't make sense to warn the japanese that the u.s. will drop an atomic bomb.
- Analyzes how byrnes' stance stems from the possibility of japan becoming a split nation after the war.
- Analyzes how stimson and byrnes rebut each other's arguments to strengthen their arguments.
- Analyzes how harry s. truman took both stimson's and byrnes' arguments very seriously. he declared that the best route for the u.s. was to use an atomic bomb on japan.
1486 wordsRead More - Prompt and Utter Destructionanalytical essayWalker, J. Samuel. Prompt and Utter Destruction Truman and the Use of Atomic Bombs against Japan, Revised Edition. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina, 2005. Print.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the controversy surrounding truman's decision to drop atomic bombs on hiroshima and nagasaki during world war ii.
- Explains that the united states was eager to end the war against japan, and to prevent more american causalities.
- Explains that the use of the first atomic bomb on hiroshima was a necessary, extreme measure.
- Explains that after hiroshima was completely destroyed by an atomic bomb, the american military began printing leaflets to warn the japanese people of a second bomb.
- Opines that the use of atomic weapons on the japanese cities of hiroshima and nagasaki was motivated by the need to end the war, and by a racist attitude toward japanese people.
- Explains walker, j. samuel, prompt and utter destruction truman and the use of atomic bombs against japan, revised edition.
1090 wordsRead More - The Trinity Project: Testing The Effects of a Nuclear Weaponexplanatory essayC.S.C., W. D. (2011). The Most Controversial Decision Truman the atomic Bombs, and the defeat of Japan. University of Notre Dame: Cambridge University Press.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that general groves and robert oppenheimer took the lead with a series of officials and scientist for the initial test.
- Explains that c.s.c., w. d. (2011), the most controversial decision truman the atomic bombs, and the defeat of japan.
- Explains that the trinity project was conducted to test the effects of a nuclear weapon.
- Explains that the trinite crater was ten feet deep and 1,100 feet wide. the results of the test were taken to president truman at a conference.
881 wordsRead More - Harry Truman: The Atomic Bombanalytical essayKuznick, Peter J. "The Decision to Risk the Future: Harry Truman, the Atomic Bomb and the Apocalyptic Narrative.” JapanFocus. The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus, 9 Dec. 2013. Web. 09 Jan. 2014.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that harry truman's decision to drop the atomic bomb changed the way americans thought about war because of its traumatic after effects.
- Explains that harry truman was never informed about the atomic bomb development until an emergency cabinet meeting. the dropping of the bomb could justify the money spent on the manhattan project.
- Explains that the first atomic bomb was dropped on hiroshima on august 6, 1945.
- Argues that postwar presidents have voluntary acclaimed in respect of president truman's decision. the bombing that destroyed hiroshima and nagasaki changed the way people thought about science war
- Opines that harry truman's decision to drop the atomic bomb changed the way americans thought about war because of its traumatic after effects.
- States clancey patrick's "hyperwar: ussbs: the effects of atomic bombs on hiroshima and nagasaki." csis.org. kuznick, peter j.
924 wordsRead More - The Importance Of The Manhattan Projectargumentative essayThe Manhattan Project was one of the first outlets America used to show the era of scientific triumph. The directors of this project, J. Robert Oppenheimer, Albert Einstein, Leo Szilard and General Groves played a big contribution in the outcome of World War II. I have researched the argument of(that) the Manhattan Project being(was) vital for the legitimate ending to World War II. While other(s) some(take out some amd put could) say(that) they could have not dropped the second bomb, or(take out or) since Japanese Prime Minister Suzuki formed a new War cabinet to bring the war to end on its own. (Stoff, Michael B., Fanton, Jonathon, F., William, Hal, R., EDT. Al. 1991, p. 1991). This project had many different components for it to run successfully. Components such as theology and applied sciences were used. Oppenheimer was the main administrator credited to put the organization together. I will cover how(take out how) the time periods from 1938 (the discovery of Nuclear Fission) to 1945 (when the atomic bombs were dropped on Japan.) This major contribution is important today because the technology and the leap of science were emphasized greatly during the war. I will also be covering some results and life after the two bombs(were) set off. In the book “The Manhattan Project” by Jeff Hughes, during the 1930s, America was not the only country to research the secrets of nuclear transmutation. This justifies one of my points that the bombs were not a rational decision made by the Truman administration. The elements and materials needed to create the atomic bombs were not only the U.S’s call. Discoveries(that were) made in a short amount of time and having to put a team together to make the world’s first weapons of mass destruction is ...
In this essay, the author
- Argues that the manhattan project was vital for the legitimate ending of world war ii. oppenheimer, einstein, szilard, and groves played a big role.
- Explains that albert einstein and leo szilard needed extensive research and the collection of the best university scientists to make the bombs.
- Explains that the hierarchy of managers and directors was responsible for a lot in their division. groves ordered the corps of engineers real estate division to make the production site known as oak ridge.
- Explains that j. robert oppenheimer was an american physicist and director of the atomic energy research project at los alamos, new mexico.
- Explains that the united states kept russia in the dark about the implosion-type bomb at the end of war.
- Explains that the united states had the least amount of casualties after the atomic bombs dropped, while japan suffered 100,000 deaths and 6 square miles of blown up radiation.
- Disagrees with general groves for dropping the atomic bombs, but argues that it was better to demonstrate them in the most non-lethal way to gain international control.
1410 wordsRead More - Argumentative Essay On The Atomic Bombanalytical essayAtomic bombs and other weapons of mass destruction are devastatingly powerful. On August 6th, 1945, President Truman finalized his decision of dropping atomic bombs on Japanese territory. Walker explains the thinking behind the use of these weapons, and shows ultimately that this action of Truman and America is really complicated and there is multiple sides that are all legitimate in the depiction if it was necessary or not. To an extent, the use of these bombs was necessary to save many American lives, but it was not necessary when thinking just about vengeance for the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Walker also explains in the book, that there might have been other solutions in the war to bring it to an end, without the use of these bombs, and provides substantial evidence supporting these “solutions.”
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how walker explains truman's decision to drop atomic bombs on japanese territory on august 6th, 1945, and how multiple sides are legitimate in the depiction if it was necessary or not.
- Analyzes walker's theory that truman had many different options in solving this war, not just two. myths kept society happy and pro-war.
- Explains that the smithsonian institute exhibit on the bombing of the two cities in japan had many questions and controversies arising because of it's dark time in human history.
- Analyzes walker's controversial outlook on the bombings on hiroshima and nagasaki. he agrees with the involvement of the u.s., but feels there could have been other solutions, without the fires, and major pain.
- Concludes walker's point that the use of atomic bombs on japan could have been an overkill, but sees the job as a work of intention and moral.
901 wordsRead More - American Responsibility for the Bombing of Hiroshimaanalytical essayThe road that led to the bombing of Hiroshima was a long and covert one. In fact, the research and development of the atomic bomb was so secretive that when Vice President Harry S. Truman entered the Presidency following the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt, he had no knowledge of it. Yet he would be the central figure in making the decision to use the bomb. In April 1945, Secretary of War Henry Stimson(pictured - left) and General Groves briefed Truman(pictured - right) about the "Manhattan Project", the top-secret program that researched and developed the atomic bomb.2
In this essay, the author
- Describes how the project was started in 1942 after it was discovered that the germans were attempting to construct an atomic bomb. it was assumed that whoever could first develop such a weapon would hold the upper hand in the war.
- Analyzes how truman inherited a project with powerful secret momentum, technological, political, and bureaucratic, derived from an assumed "race" for the weapon that would "win the war".
- Explains that america is an autonomous country, which sets its own laws, morals, and determines its course of action. dropping the atomic bomb on another country seemed the best alternative in the horrible progression of the war.
- Analyzes how the germans decided not to build a bomb in the decision to drop the bomb.
- Explains that the decision to drop the atomic bomb on hiroshima was a momentous act of the twentieth century.
- Opines that the atomic bomb is a revolutionary increase in destruction to supplement the growing power of our armed forces.
1794 wordsRead More - Why the Atomic Bomb Was the Wrong Choiceanalytical essayOne of the most argued topics today, the end of World War II and the dropping of the atomic bombs still rings in the American ear. Recent studies by historians have argued that point that the United States really did not make the right choice when they chose to drop the atomic bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Also with the release of once classified documents, we can see that the United States ...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the united states and president truman should have weighed their options before dropping the atomic bombs on the islands of nagasaki and hiroshima.
- Argues that the end of world war ii and the dropping of the atomic bombs still rings in the american ear.
- Explains that the truman administration did not want to give japan a conditional surrender and let them maintain their emperor because they feared that there would be backlash from the american public.
- Explains that president truman had some military alternatives that were not pursued as well. the united states navy proposed a blockade around the island, and continued to bomb japan.
- Analyzes how rufus e miles jr.'s essay, hiroshima: the strange myth of half a million american lives saved, argues that the a-bombs were the only way out.
1354 wordsRead More - The Decision of a Lifetime: Dropping the Atomic Bomb on Japananalytical essayMaddox, Robert. “The Biggest Decision: Why We Had to Drop the Atomic Bomb.” Taking Sides: Clashing View in United States History. Ed. Larry Madaras & James SoRelle. 15th ed. New York, NY. 2012. 280-288.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the dropping of the atomic bomb may be a controversial topic in american history. robert maddox, tsuyoshi hasegawa, and gar alperovitz debated this topic.
- Analyzes how historian robert james maddox starts the debate by siding with truman and states that he made the right decision in dropping the bomb.
- Analyzes how the japanese military and the foreign office controlled the situation. the generals realized this mentality after the fight at okinawa where the soldiers fought to the end
- Analyzes how maddox's argument is that by dropping the bomb hundreds of thousands of american lives were saved.
- Analyzes how maddox focuses on the idea that the u.s wanted unconditional surrender from japan, but japan was unwilling for that to happen.
- Analyzes how robert maddox agrees with truman's decision. he focuses on conflict rather than american values or certain documents in distinguishing his ideals.
- Introduces tsuyoshi hasegawa, who believes that alternative methods could have been used to avoid the use of atomic bombs to force surrender.
- Opines that truman could have accepted a provision to his potsdam ultimatum and allowed the emperorship to stay in power instead of instituting free and fair elections.
- Analyzes how truman could have invited stalin to sign the potsdam proclamation and still disallow the use of a monarchial system.
- Argues that soviet intervention and help in the war would have ensured a surrender of japan before november when the bombs went off.
- Analyzes tsuyoshi hasegawa's argument that there are several avenues that could have been taken to avoid using the atomic bombs. he is a part of the new left school of thought.
- Analyzes how gar alperovitz uses countless examples to justify his point that the use of the bombs was unnecessary.
- Explains that the war department study known as use of the atomic bomb on japan explained that political leaders of japan had planned on announcing surrender to the allied forces.
- Explains that truman and other advisors desired unconditional surrender, but many others advocated for the continuance of the japanese dynasty in place.
- Opines that dropping an atomic bomb could implicate the u.s in a negative way. dwight eisenhower personally told truman not to drop the bomb.
- Explains that alperovitz provides ample points to support his thesis while many of them resembling the points by hasegawa. he is also a part of the new left historical school.
- Concludes that america made the wrong decision to drop the two atomic bombs to finalize the end of war. they cite gar alperovitz as who best dealt with this controversial issue.
- Cites alperovitz, g., hasegawa, tsuyoshi, maddox, and sorelle's taking sides: clashing view in united states history.
1989 wordsRead More