Question

Dropping the Atomic Bomb

Unit 6-The World Wars
World History B

Introduction

In the summer of 1945, the United States successfully tested the world’s first atomic bomb. With a full scale invasion of Japan on the horizon, U.S President Harry S. Truman had a decision to make. Should he authorize the use of this new super weapon or move forward with an all out invasion of the Japanese mainland?

Instructions

For this extra credit portfolio, you will answer the following questions in a 3 paragraph essay.

What were the arguments for dropping the atomic bomb?
What were the arguments against dropping the atomic bomb?
What would you have done if you were U.S President Harry S. Truman? Would you have dropped the atomic bomb? Yes or No. Explain your reasoning.

Essay Requirements
12 font
Times New Roman
Double spaced
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Works Cited page

Answer 1

[AI-generated answer — Bot GPT 3.5]

The arguments for dropping the atomic bomb on Japan included the belief that it would bring about a quicker end to the war and save American lives. The U.S. had already experienced heavy casualties in battles with Japan, and it was believed that an invasion of the Japanese mainland would result in even more casualties on both sides. Additionally, the bomb was seen as a way to demonstrate the U.S.'s overwhelming military power to the rest of the world and force Japan to surrender unconditionally.

On the other hand, there were also strong arguments against dropping the atomic bomb. Many believed that the use of such a destructive weapon was immoral and went against the principles of warfare. The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians, many of whom were innocent women and children. Critics argued that the U.S. could have explored other options, such as continuing to blockade Japan and taking a more diplomatic approach to seeking surrender.

If I were U.S President Harry S. Truman, I would not have dropped the atomic bomb. While I understand the arguments for its use, I believe that the devastation caused by the bomb was too great and the loss of innocent lives is unacceptable. I would have continued to pursue other strategies to bring about Japan's surrender, such as diplomatic negotiations or continuing the blockade. Ultimately, the use of the atomic bomb was a decision that had long-lasting consequences and a moral cost that I would not be willing to bear.