Trumans Decision to Drop the Atomic Bomb

Serena Fuhriman
World War II was a devastating war for America and all countries involved. This war is the most
devastating war in history which killed millions of people. The war started in 1939 and ended May 8,
1945. Once war was declared, allied nations joined the fight. Adolf Hitler came into power by
promising to recover Germany's poor economy. The nation started to support him more as more as life
improved in Germany and his promises were followed through. Adolfs ultimate goal was to control the
world. Eventually the United States would be drawn into this world because Japan bombed Pearl
Harbor in December of 1941. Though America responded quickly to the attack there are many pros and
cons to weigh deciding if using nuclear warfare on Japan was the right decision.
Japan was in a Pacific war during 1937 with China. They wanted land and to defeat the
emperor. Japan was losing in the fight against China. They needed to cut off the supplies from the West
and Indochina. Japan doing this invades United States allied nations and bases in the Philippines and
Hawaii. United States then immediately cut off supplies to Japan such as oil and steal.1 With this
happening Japan has been allied with Germany fighting in the European colonies. Having allies Japan
prepared for war with the United States over control to through Malaya and Dutch East indies. If Japan
were able to conquer this area they would have more of their own natural resources. Japans only slim
chance to take over this area was to try and destroy as many naval ships. Japan bombed Pearl harbor on
December 7, 1941.
President Harry Truman asked for a declaration of war which was signed by Congress that
evening. 4 years later Harry Truman wrote a report after the first atomic bomb was dropped, We are
now prepared to obliterate more rapidly and completely every productive enterprise the Japanese have
above ground in any city. We shall destroy their docks, their factories, and their communication. Let

1 Richard Smethurst, Japan, the United States, and the Road to World War II in the Pacific, The Asia-Pacific Journal:
Japan Focus, 2012

there me no mistake; we shall completely destroy Japan's power to make war.2 The atomic bombs
were this powerful they destroyed everything in its path physically while also causing radiation
poisoning to anyone who inhaled the fumes. There are many devastating effects which are nearly
impossible to moralize by dropping the atomic bombs. More than 100,000 innocent Japanese families
were killed by one bomb. No one could foresee the devastation from dropping the bombs, with Japan
close to surrender some say it was unnecessary to drop this bomb.3 The Dropping of the bomb
immediately led to Japans surrender and the world now sees how powerful this weapon is. Countries
immediately started trying to build nuclear weapons, increasing risk of security. Attacking countries
can utilize the power to completely wipe out their opponent.
With so many con's to dropping the bomb why did Harry Truman use nuclear warfare? Truman
sent a strong message to world that America is a powerful country. He also knew that dropping the
atomic bomb would end the war saving thousands of American lives.4 With nuclear warfare, The
American army and navy were now the most powerful in the world.5 At this time in history having a
strong army and navy was so important to protecting our country. With America having the strongest
we are now able negotiate ending the war. Other countries invading the United States was unlikely
because of the atomic bombs power.
Holding so much power in one country there can be many pro's and con's. The bombing on
Pearl Harbor was devastating for the United States and our naval fleet. Four years of war and fighting
later Truman made the decision to drop the atomic bomb. This wiped out two entire cities of Japan
killing thousands of innocent families. The bombs ended the war and the United States was now the
most powerful army and navy in the world. Ending the war saved thousands of American lives. The
devastation caused by the bombs and the ending of the war are two very opposite sides to decide if the
2 Harry Truman, Draft statement on the dropping of the bomb, Harry S. Truman, 1945.
3 Pros and Cons of Dropping the Atomic Bomb, Asia-Pacific Economics Blog, 2014
4 Pros and Cons of Dropping the Atomic Bomb, Asia-Pacific Economics Blog, 2014
5 Postwar Challenges, U.S. History Pre Colombian to the New Millennium, 2014

decision to drop the bomb was the right choice. Many important lessons came from dropping these
bombs, hopefully one is never dropped again.

References
Postwar Challenges. U.S. History Pre Colombian to the New Millennium. 2014.
http://www.ushistory.org/us/52.asp (accessed August 1, 2015).
Pros and Cons of Dropping the Atomic Bomb. Asia-Pacific Economics Blog. March 2014.
apecsec.org/pros-and-cons-of-dropping-the-atomic-bomb/ (accessed July 26, 2015).
Smethurst, Richard. Japan, the United States, and the Road to World War II in the Pacific.
The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus. September 2012. www.japanfocus.org/-richard_j_smethurst/3825/article (accessed July 20, 2015).
Truman, Harry. Draft Statement on the Dropping of the Bomb. Harry S. Truman. July 1945.
http://trumanlibrary.org/whistlestop/study_collections/bomb/large/documents/index.php?
pagenumber=4&documentid=9-15&documentdate=1945-07-30&studycollectionid=abomb&groupid=
(accessed July 23, 2015).