President Truman took over the office of the president on April 12, 1945 after President Franklin Delano Roosevelt died suddenly. FDR had taken no steps to prepare his successor for the serious and difficult problems that lay ahead. Truman was completely unaware of the development of nuclear weapons which had been taking place over the past few years until the day he took over the presidency. He quickly found out the development of the atomic bomb was nicknamed the “Manhattan Project” and it began i

The kamikaze was a perfect example of this. Japanese pilots would strap themselves into planes loaded with explosives and fly them into American ships. This suicidal type of fighting resulted in tremendous numbers of casualties on both sides. One option available to Truman was a full scale invasion on Kyushu. Another option was a naval blockade, and then there was the possibility of an extensive aerial bombardment or the full invasion of Japan. These were unlikely choices because the number of American and Japanese casualties would run into the hundreds of thousands or maybe even the millions. The last option was to utilize the very costly, powerful Manhattan Project.

Inevitably a decision needed to be made. Truman ruled out all other possible options and took the recommendation of a committee headed by the Secretary of War, Henry L. Stimson. Truman chose to use the first atomic bomb ever to be used in war. This was the first time that a weapon of this magnitude had ever been used in a war. They discussed the possibility of inviting the Japanese to see a preview of the possible outcome if the bomb was used, which could have given them the chance to concede. It was also discussed that maybe they should be given a warning of the weapon which we possessed. However, both were decided against.

I believe President Truman’s decision to use atomic weapons on Japan was both humane and just. With the options available to him, the bombs proved to have the potential for the least casualties for both sides while ending the war quickly. Had the bombs not been used the war could have dragged on for months or perhaps years with overwhelming casualties on both sides. Truman made the correct decision in choosing to drop the atomic bombs on Japan. I feel his decision was courageous and, until any one of us are in his position, who are we to judge?

Some topics in this essay:
Hiroshima Nagasaki, Enola Gay, War II, Manhattan Project, Guam Japanese, American Japanese, Delano Roosevelt, Stimson Truman, President Truman’s, American B-29, atomic bomb, hiroshima nagasaki, allied prisoners war, “manhattan project”, hundred thousand, prisoners war, hundreds thousands, thousand people, allied prisoners, lives lost, atomic weapons, thousand tons tnt, world war ii, thousands lives lost, bombings hiroshima nagasaki,