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Essay / Harry Truman's Decision to Drop the Atomic Bomb
To what extent was Harry Truman's decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki justified?A. Inquiry Plan Research Question: To what extent was Harry Truman's decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki justified? This investigation evaluates President Harry Truman's decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He will determine whether his decision was justified or not. This investigation will examine the reasons which pushed Harry Truman to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The prevention of further casualties and the desire to end the war are two arguments that will be analyzed to determine whether they were strong enough to justify the dropping of the atomic bombs. Excerpts from Truman's memoirs and various titles were consulted to undertake this investigation. Section C will evaluate two sources based on their original values and limitations. The first is a book called The Invasion of Japan written by John Stakes in 1955. And the second is a book called Prompt & Utter Destruction written by J. Samuel Walker.B. Summary of Evidence • Each of Truman's advisors agreed that the atomic bomb must be used in order to preserve the lives of the American and Japanese nations. (Walker) • The “Little Boy” and “Fat Man” atomic bombs killed 150,000 people and left 125,000 weakened. An additional 60,000 people died from radiation injuries or illnesses. (Sullivan)• The atomic bombs were dropped on August 6 and 9, 1945• Emperor Hirohito had the opportunity to surrender, but chose not to respond to this recommendation from the United States• Truman approved...... middle of paper......the Japanese were unpredictable. If Harry Truman had not dropped the bombs on Japan, it would have only caused more casualties. List of sourcesStakes Ray John. The invasion of Japan. Published in South Carolina; Colombia. 1995. Sullivan T. Edward. The ultimate weapon. Published in New York; New York. 2007. Walker J. Samuel. Rapid and total destruction. Published by University of NorthCarolina Press.1977.Brokaw Tom. The Greatest Generation. Published in New York; New York.1989.Hamby L. Alonzo. The decision to drop the bomb. 1997. http://www.trumanlibrary.org/whistlestop/study_collections/bomb/large/index.phpBeschloss, Michael R. “Do We Need to Abandon It? The New York Times. The New YorkTimes, July 29, 1995. Web. Can 2014. .