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  • Essay / Rapid and Total Destruction - 840

    The book, Rapid and Total Destruction: Truman and the Use of Atomic Bombs Against Japan, by J. Samuel Walker, examines the dilemma that President Truman faced and the factors decisive factors which may or may not have contributed to or influenced his final decision to use the atomic bomb against Japan during World War II. The author attempts to illustrate the position taken by key figures surrounding the debate by explaining the details leading up to and following the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; in an attempt to explain or justify the use of the atomic bomb and the necessity of its use to end the war in the Pacific. The purpose of this article is to take a position on whether or not I support Truman's decision and why. After reading the book, I chose to support Truman for the following three reasons: First, the Emperor of Japan, Hirohito, was willing to fight a military fight to the death, his refusal to back down and his pride did not not allowing “unconditional surrender” (p. 47). Second, the pressure of having to avenge the bombing of Pearl Harbor and having to justify the cost of building the atomic bomb to the American people, in my opinion, could have played a key role in his decision and undoubtedly influenced the mine. . Finally, I believe that Truman was not given all the necessary and correct information to make a more informed decision. However, I doubt this played a significant role, its goal was to end the war as quickly as possible while minimizing casualties. American Lives; To achieve this goal, the atomic bomb was considered a necessary and effective weapon of war. I support this idea and the decision to use atomic bombs. The Emperor of Japan, Hirohito, did not want to back down and accepting the middle of paper against Japan was the logical thing to do at that time. In conclusion, my position remains in favor of President Truman's decision to use the atomic bomb against Japan. The use of both bombs was justifiable and necessary to achieve his goal of ending the war quickly. All of the key questions mentioned above were instrumental in helping me develop my opinions. Truman's decision to drop the world's first atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki as a way to end the war, save lives, and avenge the bombing of Pearl Harbor was both easy to rationalize but more complex than that. than one might believe. This is my opinion; Truman had no other effective alternative that could end the war more quickly and on his terms. Works Cited Walker, J S. Prompt and Utter Destruction: Truman and the Use of Atomic Bombs against Japan. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2004. Print.