Truman War Research Paper

If you possessed such extensive power that Truman did during the end of the war, would you use it? On the early morning of December 7, 1941, the Japanese empire, under the leadership of Hideki Tojo, striked an unprecedented blow to the United States Navy and the country itself at the naval base Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. From Pearl Harbor, to the Battle of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, the Japanese continued to possess a perpetual and relentless tenacity to fight until their last breath. One thing especially evident to the Americans and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the president, was that Japan, no matter the cost or propositions put forth, would never acquiesce to the ultimatums of the United States. At the time the Japanese made their determination and

Their resolution to the current situation was conducted on the basis of three main reasons: Japanese barbarism and resolve, ending the war in a swift manner, and making sure the Manhattan project did not go to waste. First off, it was obvious that Japan was on its way out as most of its allies had been either wiped out or conquered. Despite Japan appearing to be already beaten, Emperor Hirohito’s soldiers were too honorable for an unconditional surrender. As stated by Tom Nichols, on an article regarding the decision, “Japan was not preparing to surrender; it was preparing to fight to the death” (“No Other Choice”). This statement affirms the fact that even if the atomic bombs were not dropped, and a land invasion had taken place instead, the battle would not have been easily fought. Aside from the hostility of the Japanese, the war was almost over, and dropping the atomic bombs expedited the prolonging of the war. The planned operation, titled ‘Downfall,’ would have taken many years and the estimated casualties of “a half-million American lives” (O’Neal). Based on the estimation, which excludes an added number of casualties, it was necessary to drop the bombs. Lastly, the Manhattan project was rather expensive, and Japan’s persistent honor and barbarism justified using the bomb’s destructive

With roughly two weeks of formal experience as the leader of the nation during a very tumultuous time, President Truman had to devise a way to end the war in Japan. When it comes down to the justification for a decision as grand as this, one has to look at the facts and understand that Truman’s decision was definitely something he had to mull over in his mind for quite some time. The understanding truly comes from the fact that Truman was made aware of the Manhattan Project only two weeks after he became President, and told by his advisors that he must make a decision. World War II, at the time, had already began to show signs of ending; however, this was because of most of the Axis Powers had been dealt with, save Japan. Despite the United States’ plea for Japan to accept an unconditional surrender, the pure brutality and honor that they possessed never ceased to exist, even though many were aware of their ineluctable downfall. Also, because of the well known fact of Japan’s nature for tenacity, the war would have been lengthened for years at the cost of a substantial amount of lives. Equally important, the Manhattan Project was not an inexpensive feat; to see such potential and scientific achievement gone to waste would be a complete tragedy. Given all these points, the justification for dropping bombs of such a cataclysmic event is surfaced; indubitably,