Should The Allies Use Atomic Bombs Necessary?

After Germany’s surrender in 1945, the Allies’ focus turned toward defeating Japan. Numerous scenarios were considered to prompt Japan’s surrender. A full-scale invasion was rejected due to the catastrophic loss of life that would result. The remaining options were either modification of the previous demands upon the Japanese or to detonate atomic bombs. Following the advice of his cabinet, Truman ordered the detonation of two atomic bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Opponents presented numerous arguments against the utilization of atomic bombs. Critics argued that the use of the atomic bombs was unnecessary due to the fact that the Japanese began seeking surrender terms in April 1945. The Allies were demanding terms of unconditional surrender, which concerned that Japanese. The Japanese were ready to surrender and their only reservation was the preservation of their imperial system. The Japanese sought assurances that their emperor would not be tried as a war criminal. If the Allies had accepted this stipulation when first approached

The United States generals Dwight D. Eisenhower and Douglas McArthur objected to the use of the atomic bombs. Eisenhower expressed that the Japanese were ready to surrender and opposed the United States being the first to detonate such a deadly weapon. McArthur concluded that the Japanese had already been defeated and considered the use of atomic bombs militarily unnecessary. Many scientists protested the utilization of atomic bombs, including scientists who contributed to their development. One petition expressing opposition to the detonation of the atomic bomb contained the signatures of 155 scientists involved in its creation. Although many disputed the use of the atomic bomb, some historians have concluded that the Americans refused to compromise with the Japanese to further their own