The Decision to drop the bombs
As the final stages of World War II were approaching, 61 year old Vice President Harry Truman found himself being inaugurated as president following the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Truman came into a tough situation, though Nazi Germany was dissolving, there was still another fight to be had with Japan. At this time, the Japanese were using extreme tactics to defend their home islands. Truman took action, planning a Big Three meeting with Stalin and Churchill outside of Berlin. The meeting, lasting two days, confirmed the U.S.S.R.'s entrance into the war against Japan. After ending the meeting on August 2nd, the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed on August 6th and August 9th respectively, resulting in over 120,000 casualties. On the 14th of August, 1945, Japan declared their surrender.
Harry Truman's decision to drop the bombs was one of the most controversial decisions in both U.S. and World history. He chose to drop the bombs and stuck to his decision even after controversy spread. Admiral William D. Leahy, Truman's chief of staff went far enough to state "I was not taught to make wars in that fashion, and wars cannot be won by destroying women and children." ("Miller Center.") Truman stuck with his decision however, taking the stance that without dropping the bomb, many more American and Japanese lives would have been lost. In the video below, Truman announces the bombing of Hiroshima, showing respect for the science behind the atomic bomb, and speaking in a positive manner, though the speech comes at a tough time for U.S. citizens.
Harry Truman's decision to drop the bombs was one of the most controversial decisions in both U.S. and World history. He chose to drop the bombs and stuck to his decision even after controversy spread. Admiral William D. Leahy, Truman's chief of staff went far enough to state "I was not taught to make wars in that fashion, and wars cannot be won by destroying women and children." ("Miller Center.") Truman stuck with his decision however, taking the stance that without dropping the bomb, many more American and Japanese lives would have been lost. In the video below, Truman announces the bombing of Hiroshima, showing respect for the science behind the atomic bomb, and speaking in a positive manner, though the speech comes at a tough time for U.S. citizens.
The leadership demonstrated by Harry Truman proved his legitimacy as U.S. president. Truman did not come at a time where he could slack off and go about business unnoticed, and when the time came for him to make a big decision, he handled the situation like a professional. Truman knew his decision would shape the future, not just of his country, but of the world, and tried his hardest to give the world the best possible outcome. Had Truman not dropped the bomb, the U.S.S.R. would also become further involved in the war and most likely would have extended World War II much longer. Though people disagreed with Truman and still do disagree today, Truman showed great leadership in his decision, and has shaped the world we live in today.