Was The Atomic Bomb Justified Analysis

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Since the dropping of the bomb on August 6, 1945, there has been debate and argument about Truman’s decision to use the atomic bomb. Was it justified? How is it remembered both today and in the past? The traditional view, which was more-or-less unchallenged for a few years until the 1950s, was that the atomic bombing was justified because Japan refused to surrender, hoping that it will increase the loss of Allied Nation’s lives and force the US to propose a peace negotiation. In addition, a nuclear attack on Japan would’ve prevented the costly Operation Downfall (land invasion of Japan) from being enacted. • Henry Stimson The traditional view was reinforced in Henry Stimson’s 1947 Harper Magazine article, in which he explains the factors …show more content…

Moreover, Henry Stimson wrote in his memorandum for the President on July 2, 1945: “There is a reason to believe that the operation for the occupation of Japan following the landing may be a very long, costly and arduous struggle on our part…Once started in the actual invasion, we shall, in my opinion, have to go through with an even more bitter finish fight than in Germany. We shall incur the losses incident to such a war and we shall have to leave the Japanese islands even more thoroughly destroyed than was the case with Germany” …show more content…

Time was not a luxury the US government could afford as thousands of Allied Nations’ soldiers were dying every day while USA waited for Japan to surrender. Following is a statement made by Karl T Compton, a member of the Interim Committee who gave recommendations about the use of atomic bombs for military purposes. • From this background I believe, with complete conviction, that the use of the atomic bomb saved hundreds of thousands—perhaps several millions—of lives, both American and Japanese; that without its use the war would have continued for many months; that no one of good conscience knowing, as Secretary Stimson and the Chiefs of Staff did, what was probably ahead and what the atomic bomb might accomplish could have made any different decision- Karl T Compton. “If the Atomic Bomb Had Not Been Used”. December 1946 issue. Like Stimson, Karl believed that the atomic bomb was the only way to achieve their goal, which is ultimately to shorten the war. Considering the evidence presented, the Interim Committee decided that the most appropriate response to Japan’s brutality was to drop the atomic bomb. Despite the possibility of Japan surrendering, Henry Stimson, as the acting right hand for President Truman, recommended the atomic bomb attack be put in motion if Japan does not surrender by the deadline (Potsdam

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