Did president Truman make the right decision by dropping two atomic bombs on Japan? Write
details into your answer about lives saved or lives lost,alternative decisions, and the USA being the only country to ever use atomic weapons. (USE THREE DETAILS)
He made the decision he thought right at the time. Nothing more can be expected of anyone.
For your answer, you have to think this out for yourself.
bobpursley is right.
I hope you don't try to apply 21st century opinions on a 1945 decision under those particular circumstances. If you don't know what those circumstances were, use Google.
A search on Google might turn up different articles and opinions, but this might get you started:
http://www.bing.com/search?q=use+of+the+atomic+bomb+in+1945&form=EDGNTC&qs=PF&cvid=f24c7b569645452681016866f35e1ae1&pq=use%20of%20the%20atomic%20bomb%20in%201945
Note that at the bottom of the first page, you can advance to other pages listing other articles, and there is a list of related topics you can also explore.
To determine whether President Truman made the right decision by dropping two atomic bombs on Japan, we can evaluate three key details: the number of lives saved or lost, alternative decisions that were available, and the fact that the USA is the only country to ever use atomic weapons.
1. Lives saved versus lives lost: By dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, the decision led to a significant loss of life initially. The exact death toll is uncertain, but estimates suggest that approximately 140,000 people died in Hiroshima and 70,000 died in Nagasaki as a direct result of the bombings. This number includes both immediate deaths and subsequent fatalities due to injuries and radiation sickness.
However, one argument in favor of Truman's decision is that it potentially saved many more lives in the long run. An invasion of mainland Japan was being considered at the time, and it was estimated that such an invasion would result in a high number of casualties, both among Japanese military personnel and civilians, as well as among Allied forces. The bombings ultimately prompted Japan's surrender, thus averting an invasion and potentially saving numerous lives on both sides.
2. Alternative decisions: It is worth considering the alternative decisions that were available to President Truman. One option would have been to continue the intense firebombing campaign that had already devastated many Japanese cities, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. While this approach may have eventually led to Japan's surrender, it would have taken more time and likely resulted in additional casualties.
Another alternative would have been to modify the terms of surrender, potentially allowing for a conditional surrender that did not involve the use of atomic weapons. However, it is important to note that six days before the bombing of Hiroshima, the Potsdam Declaration had been issued, demanding Japan's unconditional surrender. Japan rejected this and showed no inclination to surrender, which influenced Truman's decision to use atomic bombs.
3. The USA being the only country to use atomic weapons: The fact that the United States is the only country to have ever used atomic weapons carries significant ethical implications. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki ushered in a new era of warfare, with unprecedented destructive power. Critics argue that the use of atomic bombs demonstrated a disregard for civilian lives and set a dangerous precedent, potentially spurring an arms race and heightening international tensions.
On the other hand, proponents of Truman's decision argue that the use of atomic bombs played a unique role in bringing World War II to a swift conclusion, saving lives in the long term by preventing a prolonged conflict. Nonetheless, the ethical implications of atomic weapons continue to be the subject of rigorous debate and reflection.
In conclusion, the question of whether President Truman made the right decision by dropping atomic bombs on Japan is highly contentious and remains subject to ongoing discussion and analysis. Evaluating the number of lives saved versus lost, alternative decisions, and the unique position of the USA as the only country to have used atomic weapons helps provide a framework for understanding the complex factors involved in this historical event.