Harry Truman's Decision To Drop The Atomic Bomb Case Study

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Do you agree or disagree with President Harry Truman 's decision to drop two atomic bombs on Japan? President Harry Truman’s decision to use atomic bombs has been highly scrutinized and controversial. As inhumane as it sounds, I have to agree with Truman’s decision. Why Truman was sworn in as President of the United States and Commander in Chief of the United States Armed Forces, he promised to fight for the nation’s survival and to protect the residents of the United States. If prolonged fighting had occurred (with WWII extended into 1946 and on mainland Japan), it is estimated that over a million casualties (both American and Japanese) would have occurred. This would have been far greater than the 200,000+ casualties that occurred from …show more content…

As Commander in Chief, he has a responsibility to make the best military decision, which directly affects his service members. By dropping the atomic bombs, he in turn finalized the war, prevented the Soviet Union from entering the Pacific fight, and saved countless, American lives. The Japanese military leaders were willing to call its citizens into action and fight to the finish, even after the atomic bombs were used. If it hadn’t been for the atomic bomb, and the intervention of the Japanese Emperor (whom along with peace negotiators), the war would have continued. The dramatic strength and violence of the atomic bomb, delivered the final conclusion that the war was over. The world instantly saw the capability and destruction of atomic …show more content…

They had been at war with the Americans for several years and saw little threat of only a few, departing American B-29 bombers in their skies. Many viewed threat with “many” planes, not just a few. On Monday, August 6, 1945 (8 A.M.), the American plane (the Enola Gay) would drop the 1st atomic bomb, named “Little Boy”. Hiroshima and the world would see devastation, unlike anything they had known. The bomb illustrated the horror of nuclear war and the impact it would have on the world. The atomic bomb was dropped with such precision, that the destruction produced a higher level of carnage. The citizens of Hiroshima would live and die in a version of hell, which has been captured by those who witnessed and survived the horror. Around ground zero (to 2 miles away), thousands experienced incinerating heat, instantly killing those in the area. The heat blast became a fireball, and the 500 MPH wind that traveled through the city, would reduce the area to rubble. The blast would transform every moving object, into a traveling projectile, killing and injuring the Japanese citizens, whom had no time to

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