President Truman's stated reason for dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was to bring about a swift end to World War II and to save American lives by avoiding a costly invasion of Japan. He believed that the use of the atomic bomb would demonstrate the overwhelming power of the United States and force Japan to surrender. Additionally, Truman and his advisors were concerned about the potential casualties that would result from a prolonged conflict with Japan, and believed that the bomb would bring about a quicker and more definitive end to the war.
