The Importance Of Truman's Decision For Bombing Hiroshima And Nagasaki

Throughout the late 1930’s-1940’s, America faced many casualties. These years of relentless fighting were known as World War II. America allied with Great Britain, France (except during German occupation), the Soviet Union, and China as they fought against many challenges during the war. In 1941, hundreds of Japanese planes attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor near Honolulu Hawaii. The Japanese managed to destroy 20 American naval vessels, as well as planes, and much more. In the midst of this pondering, Roosevelt passed, and Truman was thrown into presidency. The ongoing Japanese attacks placed upon the American people called for an essential cut-throat decision by Truman to go into war, even though this brought great fear to
Despite the vast fragmentation on society, Truman's decision for bombing Hiroshima and Nagasaki were justified because of the necessity to maintain security throughout the country after the horrific Pearl Harbor attacks and the relentlessness of the Japanese to surrender. After assessing the mass amount of harm done to Pearl Harbor, Franklin Roosevelt felt that it was essential to declare war on Japan in order to secure the country. The Japanese destroyed 20 American naval vessels, including eight battleships and 300 airplanes. In addition, they killed 2,000 American soldiers and sailors. Ultimately, this sudden and traumatic destruction at Pearl Harbor caused America to join the war. The day after the attacks, Franklin asked congress to declare war, however it was not until 6 months later, that America took part in this conflict. As president, one’s duty as commander and chief is to lead the troops and protect the citizens of the United States. The Pearl Harbor attacks brought
His presidency began with the sad passing of Roosevelt: “The president is dead” (the man who made the decision). Roosevelt was in favor of the Manhattan project and the atomic bomb, so Truman was in a tricky position. More than anytime before, America was relying on their president for security and the Japanese surrender. Truman believed, “I regarded the bomb as a military weapon and never had any doubt it should be used,”(Truman). Truman believed strongly that America needed to stand high and not watch the Japanese empire increase in power. America needed to stop them. Truman, after extensive thought, believed the atomic bomb was a defense mechanism which would force the Japanese to surrender. Truman made his prioritization of American security clear as he states, “We have used it in order to shorten the agony of war, in order to save lives of thousands and thousands of young Americans,” (Doc 3.). Truman had a purpose, he needed to end the ongoing violence, for his nation, and for his people. Because of this tedious and barbaric undertaking of the American military, the Americans were no longer at a risk of casualties from the Japanese and that within itself proves to be a strong validation for bombing Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Pearl Harbor initiated America's entrance into the war by killing many Americans, and it was justified by the Japanese,