Preview

Potsdam Declaration Argumentative Essay

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
It is with profound lament I apprise you today of the grave predicament myself and my country faces. As you may have observed from previous reports, Japan’s situation is austere, deteriorating rapidly.
My fellow leaders and advisors held exceedingly ambivalent views, when our American Allies first issued the Potsdam Declaration late July. They demanded unconditional surrender of all our armed forces! If this wasn’t disreputable enough, they threatened imminent and complete destruction of not only our forces, but they insured absolute devastation of our homeland if we failed to comply with their egregious policy! One consequential condition declared on the Potsdam Declaration undoubtedly resonated with me personally and many other leaders and advisors. The declaration specified “elimination for all of the authority and influence of those who have deceived and misled the people of Japan into
…show more content…

The nation of Japan is permeated with anguish and despair. Two bombs of an indescribable magnitude have been dropped on Japan. The first was 3 days ago; the target, Hiroshima, the site of our major military headquarters. And earlier today, Nagasaki became a victim, and currently lies in ruins. The cities are unrecognizable. I do not have the words to explain to you how devastating and destructive the bombs have been. At this stage, we are still to receive advice regarding the loss of military personnel, and the extent of civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure. At this early stage reports slowly filtering in paint a devastating picture. I cannot fathom how my beloved country will bounce back from these attacks. This event, however, has made one element salient to me. Defeat is inevitable. The only alternative to surrender is complete and utter destruction. Our Allies seem committed to completely destroying every Japanese man, women and child. Continuing this war will only result in more destruction for the nation and prolonged

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    BREAKING NEWS- President Truman had been warned about invading Japan, and the terrific casualties they were capable off. However since they were afraid of attacking our soil, he ordered for a weapon large enough and powerful enough in hopes of bringing this all to an end. On August 6th, 1945 a five ton-bomb was dropped in the city of Hiroshima, Japan. The bombing killed 80,000 people; the city wasn’t left in great shape as well. Although the devastating outcome, we believe that this is the last of the feuding between them and us. (P.2, http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/atomic-bomb-dropped-on-hiroshima). The atomic bombs are scary, and threating to all nations. Sadly we believe this has both ended problems we have been facing, but also…

    • 240 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    After years of war and destruction, American soldiers and civilians were beyond weary and restless, yet the Japanese were steadfast and refused to give up their fight. Sworn in as the 33rd United States president, after Franklin D. Roosevelt’s sudden death, Harry S. Truman presided over the end of WWII. When Truman learned of the success of the “Manhattan Project” he knew that he was faced with a decision of unparalleled gravity. He was well aware that the capacity to end the war with Japan was in his hands, however, he was also aware that it would involve unleashing the most terrible weapon the world had ever known. July 26, 1945 President Truman, United Kingdom Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Chairman of the Chinese Nationalist Government Chiang Kaishek, released the Potsdam Declaration.…

    • 1035 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Butow's Argument Analysis

    • 632 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Butow’s research on Marcus Kido’s influence on the emperor to accept terms that presented “peace and honor,” influences Feis’ argument. Feis claims that Kido’s ability to persuade Hirohito was crucial in moving Japan towards the choice to surrender. Feis takes a different approach to Butow’s thoughts on Kido’s efforts to surrender; with the understanding that the Japanese public would only end the war if the United States allowed the country to keep the emperor. Investigating Butow’s original claims, Feis identifies that the United States would not move from its demands for unconditional surrender. He argues that due to the country’s internal struggles, Japan directly prolonged the war. Feis argument allows him to question if the United States had not used the atomic bomb would Japan had surrender assembled in August 1945. This approach to history from a military aspect moved the topic of the decision to surrender in a new direction. Feis presents the question of whether the atomic bombs played an essential role in the decision-making that led to the Japanese’s surrender. Feis concludes his arguments by presenting the idea that Japan’s decision to surrender came from the threat that if the war lasted any longer, the United States would use a third atomic bomb. The author broadens the study of Japan’s decision through the understanding that the United States used the atomic bombs as a means to motivate Japan to…

    • 632 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    The decision to drop two atomic bombs on Japan in August of 1945 was made by a complex group of technological, political and military influences. History has it that the bombs were dropped in order to save American lives by avoiding the invasion of Japanese homelands, at least, that was what President Truman told the American public at the time. “For years, this simple view has been challenged by a seemingly more sophisticated academic perspective that the bombs were wrongfully used against innocent civilians, did not genuinely factor into the surrender of Japan, and would have better served the war effort as part of a diplomatic “carrot and stick” package.” (Beason 1). Some argue that the first bomb may have been required to achieve Japanese surrender, but the second one was a needless act of barbarism. According to Admiral William D. Leahy, the President’s Chief of Staff, “The use of this barbarous weapon at Hiroshima and Nagasaki was of no material assistance in our war over Japan. The Japanese were already defeated and ready to surrender…” (Beason 1). However, I have many facts to counteract all of these criticisms and to support President Truman’s decision to drop the atomic bomb.…

    • 1290 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    This investigation evaluates whether or not the dropping of the two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was necessary to make Japan surrender unconditionally. To assess the extent to which the deployment of nuclear weapons affected the Japanese decision to surrender unconditionally and if Japan was already prepared to do this prior to the use of the atomic bombs. The details and motivations of the United States to drop the bombs are explored as well as Japan’s peace negotiations with the United States and their progress prior to the U.S. choosing to use the bombs. Actions of the United States and Japan not related to the end of World War 2 are not assessed in this investigation.…

    • 2170 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    When talking about WW2 and Japan, something that comes to mind often is the atomic bomb. Some people say it was a good thing, as it ended one of the worst war in history. however, some say that it was wrong to drop a bomb of a country that was on the verge of surrender. Proof of this statement, this essay will tell you.…

    • 457 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In august of 1945, the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were a questionable decision by Harry Truman, the president of The United States of America. Throughout the years, it has been a heated debate in terms of whether the decision was morally correct and justified. Historians have analyzed and presented many arguments. In this short essay, I will attempt to expand on how historians feel about the decision by Truman to use atomic bombs. The revisionists bring into perspective and question the motivations of Harry Truman claiming he had more on his agenda than just the war. In my opinion, the decision to use atomic bombs was somewhat justified because if looked at statistically, the death toll with an invasion would have been higher and Truman…

    • 697 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    During the 20th century, after the Allies liberated Europe of which was occupied by the Nazi Regime, many civilians of certain categories were released from Nazi concentration camps, which were expected to have the fate of extermination. However, these released civilians, or captives, did not have to endure such action (whereas ~15 million others had to endure), and one of them included Simon Wiesenthal, a former “slave laborer”, for camps such as Janowska, Plaszow, and Mauthausen. Wiesenthal, moreover, is well known for his activity with Nazi “witch” hunting after WWII. He sought to locate missing Nazi war criminals due to their affiliations with concentration camps throughout Europe. Wiesenthal became associated with the United States Army, using their documentation to track down war criminals, hoping for righteousness in justice.…

    • 377 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    United States. Cong. Commitee on Foreign Affairs. Congressional Declaration of War on Japan. By Henry A. Wallace and Samuel T. Rayburn. 77th Cong. Cong. Doc. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.…

    • 2349 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    In Pearl Harbor and the Coming of the Pacific War by Akira Iriye, the author explores the events and circumstances that ended in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, an American naval base. Iriye assembles a myriad of primary documents, such as proposals and imperial conferences, as well as essays that offer different perspectives of the Pacific War. Not only is the material in Pearl Harbor and the Coming of the Pacific War informative of the situation between Japan and the United States, but it also provides a global context that allows for the readers to interpret Pearl Harbor and the events leading up to it how they may. Ultimately, both Pearl Harbor and the subsequent Pacific War between Japan and the U.S. were unavoidable due to the fact that neither nation was willing to bow down to the demands of the other.…

    • 1748 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    The devastation in Japan, post-war, was astonishing. Nuclear bombing attacks by the United States caused mass destruction and deaths. Cities, factories, and home were completely destroyed. Japan lost their colonies and laid in ruins. There was no other choice but to surrender. General MacArthur, under The United States, set out to accomplished social reform in Japan.…

    • 462 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    As of May 8, 1945, the conflict in Europe has come to a halt. We are now on track to eliminate the threat that the Japanese pose to our democracy and our ways of life. Since Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 we have lost over 100,000 soldiers in an attempt to secure our position in the pacific. This loss of American life in the pacific combined with the causalities suffered in Europe has been far too great. Japanese soldiers and government show no sign of surrender, or an indication that they are willing to surrender. Despite the obviously devastating effect a nuclear bomb would have on innocent people, all options must be assessed in order to preserve American lives. It is clear from communicating with Japanese diplomats located in Portugal that unconditional surrender is not a…

    • 905 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    World War II was full of massive battles that led every country involved to almost total destruction. Few moments stand out in American history more than Pearl Harbor. It was, and still is today, one of the most well-known events of World War II, and continues to ignite a strong nationalistic pride for the U.S.’s strong defensive comeback after Pearl Harbor. Though Pearl Harbor is renowned as a military feat, it can be argued that Japan’s victory actually was a counterproductive, strategic disgrace. Carefully examining the preparation and execution of the attack on Pearl Harbor reveals the many flaws within Japan’s military operation.…

    • 1903 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    I am writing this letter to you to discuss my concerns on why I feel you should not drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. First off let me start by saying that if you decide to proceed with the dropping of this atomic bomb you will be killing hundreds and thousands of innocent people. I am not sure if you understand the severity of dropping this bomb and the amount of people you will be killing and/or injuring severely. I would like for you to take the time to step back to look at this situation from all angles. What if Japan had decided to drop an Atomic Bomb on the United States. How will that make you feel knowing that your close family and friends can or will be killed because of a disagreement? I am aware…

    • 301 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    “Sometimes you have to pick the gun up to put the gun down” – Malcolm X. Sometime you should make people suffer because without suffering people will never learn from their mistakes. After Germany surrendered on 7 May 1945 bringing an end to the European conflict, United States still had the major battle to win with Japan. In 7 December 1941 Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor killing more than 2400 soldiers and civilians. The trauma made by Japan attack was still fresh for Americans and there was not a chance America had let Japan win the war. The war became even more difficult to win as Japanese never gave up. They battled till their death. Americans soldiers invade the islands of Japan and most of the Japanese soldiers lost their life but they fought rather than giving up. Japan didn’t give up and America did not want more of their soldiers to lose their life. Therefore, it led to the decision to use the most…

    • 842 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays