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President Truman's Perception Of The War In The Pacific

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The decision to use the atomic bomb to force Japan’s surrender was the best option available to the U.S. at the time to end the war in the Pacific. Following the Allied victory in Europe, the United States was in the position of simultaneously celebrating Germany's defeat and the return of American troops, while shifting its focus to the war in the Pacific. The war in the Pacific had long been on the back burner due to the Germany first agreement, but upon Allied victory, the U.S. faced the possibility of continuing the war in the Pacific with no clear end in sight. As the leader of a nation that was war-weary and ready to return to life as normal, President Truman was in the unenviable position of determining the best course of action to bring the war in the Pacific to an expedient conclusion. Upon reviewing the alternatives with his closest advisors, President Truman issued the order for the military to drop two atomic bombs on Japan. …show more content…

Next, it examines how the political and socio-economic atmosphere in the U.S. affected the public perception of the war in the Pacific. Third, it examines how the Japanese mindset served to hinder their acceptance of an unconditional surrender that would have ended the war. Additionally, it explores the three main courses of action considered by President Truman: two that were rejected, and the decision to utilize the atomic bomb. It goes on to describe some of the risks associated with this decision, as well as to compare how the decision correlates with the civil-military decision-making aspect of JP

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