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Atomic Bombs On Hiroshima And Nagasaki

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During World War II Americans dropped atomic bombs over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki killing nearly 200,000 people. This resulted in Japans surrender in World War II. J. Samuel Walker analyzes this historical event in his book Prompt and Utter Destruction: Truman and the Use of Atomic Bombs. Over the past 70 years’ extensive research has been conducted and there is an understanding that Truman’s decision to drop the atomic bombs is inconclusive. It is impossible to determine that the use of the bomb was the quickest way to end the war. An analysis of President Truman’s decision to drop the atomic bomb reveals one challenge: was the decision to destroy Hiroshima and Nagasaki a show of good judgment. The most important question surrounding this issue is: should the United States have dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II? In his book Walker does not conclusively say if the use of atomic bombs was or was not necessary. On one hand it was necessary to save American troops lives and to end the war as quickly as possible. But, on the other hand if the United States did not drop the bomb they would have invaded Japan instead and that was all unnecessary because Japan was on the verge of surrender. While making this decision Truman had many advisors. One of them was Secretary of War, Henry L. Stimson. Stimson created the “Interim Committee” this group was comprised of military, business, and political leaders. The members of this

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