Many people argue that the atomic bomb was necessary and support America's decision. President Truman had considered many posibilities to end the war with Japan. His ideas consisted of: bombing many Japanese cities, waiting for the Soviet Union to join America's attack on Japan, allowing Japan's emperor to remain in control, or lastly, invading Japan. All of these options involved risking many American lives, on top of the 55,000 Americans that had already given their lives in the war with Japan. In 1945, the atomic bomb became available and it was decided to be the surest and simple way to end the war. This logic was correct and the Japanese emperor surrended a few days after both of the atomic bombs were dropped.
"The bomb was necessary to accomplish Truman's primary objectives of forcing a prompt Japanese surrender and saving American lives, perhaps thousands of them"
-J. Samuel Walker, Author, Prompt & Utter Destruction: Truman and the Use of Atomic Bombs Against Japan
People also support the atomic bombings because of Japan's bombing of Pearl Harbor. The attack brought the United States, led by Franklin Roosevelt at the time, into World War II. Japan attacked Pearl Harbor specifically because it was the headquarters for the U.S. Pacific Fleet and the Naval Base for the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The reason for the bombing was an economic issue. Americans felt the need to retaliate to this attack in Hawaii. The bombing took place on December 7th, 1941 and Japan's success was a surprise to both countries. Four-hundred and twenty-three planes were involved in this attack, along with many battleships. One-thousand and seventy-eight people were injured and 2,403 people were killed. The very next day, Britain and the U.S. declared a necessary, and much needed war on Japan. "December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy"
-President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Many people argue that the atomic bomb was necessary and support America's decision. President Truman had considered many posibilities to end the war with Japan. His ideas consisted of: bombing many Japanese cities, waiting for the Soviet Union to join America's attack on Japan, allowing Japan's emperor to remain in control, or lastly, invading Japan. All of these options involved risking many American lives, on top of the 55,000 Americans that had already given their lives in the war with Japan. In 1945, the atomic bomb became available and it was decided to be the surest and simple way to end the war. This logic was correct and the Japanese emperor surrended a few days after both of the atomic bombs were dropped.
"The bomb was necessary to accomplish Truman's primary objectives of forcing a prompt Japanese surrender and saving American lives, perhaps thousands of them"
-J. Samuel Walker, Author, Prompt & Utter Destruction: Truman and the Use of Atomic Bombs Against Japan
People also support the atomic bombings because of Japan's bombing of Pearl Harbor. The attack brought the United States, led by Franklin Roosevelt at the time, into World War II. Japan attacked Pearl Harbor specifically because it was the headquarters for the U.S. Pacific Fleet and the Naval Base for the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The reason for the bombing was an economic issue. Americans felt the need to retaliate to this attack in Hawaii. The bombing took place on December 7th, 1941 and Japan's success was a surprise to both countries. Four-hundred and twenty-three planes were involved in this attack, along with many battleships. One-thousand and seventy-eight people were injured and 2,403 people were killed. The very next day, Britain and the U.S. declared a necessary, and much needed war on Japan.
"December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy"
-President Franklin D. Roosevelt