what factors besides enfing the war in the pacific might have contributed to president Harry Truman's decision to drop the atomic bomb?
Save lives -- both military and civilian.
This site will give you a good picture.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_did_the_US_drop_the_atomic_bombs_on_Japan
President Harry Truman's decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan during World War II was influenced by a combination of factors. Besides ending the war in the Pacific, several other factors contributed to his decision:
1. Saving American lives: One of the main reasons Truman approved the use of atomic bombs was to avoid a costly and potentially drawn-out invasion of the Japanese mainland. Truman and his advisers estimated that invading Japan could result in a high number of American casualties, possibly reaching hundreds of thousands.
2. Shortening the war: The atomic bomb was considered a way to swiftly bring the war to a close. Truman hoped that by demonstrating the immense destructive power of this new weapon, Japan would surrender without further bloodshed. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki indeed led to Japan's surrender just a few days later.
3. Warning to the Soviet Union: Another factor was the growing tension and competition between the United States and the Soviet Union. By dropping the atomic bomb, Truman wanted to send a strong message to the Soviet Union, demonstrating America's military superiority and deterring potential aggression.
4. Vengeance and retribution: The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 had shocked and angered Americans. Many felt a desire for revenge and saw the atomic bomb as a way to punish Japan for its aggression and bring a decisive end to the war.
5. Technological achievement: The development and successful deployment of the atomic bomb was seen as a significant scientific and technological feat for the United States. Truman and his administration wanted to showcase America's power and advancement to the world.
To understand these factors and Truman's decision-making process further, it is essential to study historical records, including Truman's personal diaries, letters, and conversations with advisors, as well as the discussions within the military, political, and scientific communities at the time.