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Truman 's Greatest Moral Dilemma

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Rachel Green HIST-1302 Spring 2015 Truman’s Greatest Moral Dilemma President Harry S. Truman had a major ethical and moral dilemma in choosing whether or not to use the atomic bomb as a resolution to the war. This came with many advantages and disadvantages. We must consider several facts. President Truman was almost thrown upon the presidential role upon Roosevelt’s death. He was a reliable party man who was well liked by professional politicians. His inexperience and desire to please the American people while keeping our country safe must be considered. Utilitarianism can be defined as a commitment to the search for the common good. In which the use of the atomic bomb would be bring. Of course the obvious disadvantages to using the atomic bomb would be there many deaths and possible retaliation from Japan. We will examine all of these in the following paper. To begin the evaluation of the advantages of the use of the atomic bomb we must examine the time line that lead to the war. On December 7, 1941 the Japanese implemented a sneak attack on Pearl Harbor in which the United States declares war. In May 1942 the Japanese win the Battle of the Coral Sea while the invasion of Australia foiled. Then in June the United States wins the Battle of Midway and the Japanese advance towards Hawaii was turned back. In February of 1943 the United States takes Guadalcanal which is located along the southernmost periphery of the Japanese power. In the next two years the United States

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