Truman, Hirohito, and the Bomb

Background August 6, 1945 an American B-29 bomber, the Enola Gay, dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. – 70,000 people died August 9, 1945 another atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. – 60,000 died

Intentional Bombing of Civilians Germany, Japan, America, and the British had all intentionally bombed civilians Over 100,000 Japanese had died from American bombs on Tokyo Why are atomic bombs a different situation??? Unknown short and long term effects

Truman: “The Most Terrible Bomb” President Roosevelt starts Manhattan Project General Groves in command J. Robert Oppenheimer is head scientist

Roosevelt Dies President Roosevelt dies on April 12, 1945 Harry Truman becomes President and finally learns about the bomb

Germany Surrenders The bomb was not ready when Germany unconditionally surrendered on May 7, 1945 Truman authorizes the Interim Committee to make recommendations regarding the use of the bomb

Interim Committee Committee recommends using the bomb when ready. Is against giving Japan a warning or demonstrating the bomb Desired to shock the Japanese into surrender The target would be a war factory surrounded by workers’ houses Used as a warning to the Soviets

Truman Meets Advisors Truman’s question Expected casualties for a land invasion of Japan? Estimated 200,000 American casualties possible 50,000 deaths

Potsdam Meeting Truman, Churchill and Stalin meet in mid July of 1945 Truman wants the Soviets to join war against the Japanese. During the meeting, Truman gets message that bomb was successfully tested

Truman decides 2 bombs were ready and 2 more on the way Hiroshima and Nagasaki chosen because normal bombing has already destroyed several other cities. These were not major industrial cities

Scientists Oppose Small group of scientists who worked on the Manhattan project circulated a petition to oppose nuclear bombs. They were afraid of a post war nuclear arms race with the Soviet Union.

July 26, 1945 (my birthdate, but not the same year) The Allies called for the “unconditional surrender of Japan” Japan must also form a new government What about the Emperor? No mention of an atomic bomb, or the Soviets entering the war Japan would face “prompt and utter destruction”

Japan’s Situation Navy almost completely destroyed Best pilots killed Armies scattered and isolated Shortages of food and oil American bombs killed over 200,000 Soldiers die by suicide charges Kamikaze pilots

What to do? What to do? Prime Minister Suzuki looks to end war Many government and military leaders oppose surrender Plans were made to protect against an American land invasion Japanese hoped they could force America to end war on terms more beneficial to Japan

Emperor Hirohito Hirohito was a sacred figure in Japanese society. Stayed away from making any decisions regarding war By early 1945, Hirohito had believed war should end

Make a decision!!! August 6 Hiroshima is bombed Japan doesn’t surrender August 9 Nagasaki bombed and Soviets declare war against Japan Japanese leaders agree on only 1 thing – The Emperor must remain at all costs Prime Minister asks the Emperor what to do- Japan must surrender

Finally Suzuki send surrender notice to Allies stating that the Emperor must remain America accepts surrender but that Hirohito must submit authority to supreme commander of occupying forces (General Douglas MacArthur)

Other choices?? Truman defended his decision to use the atomic bombs arguing that it saved American lives. However, Truman’s advisors seemed to focus on only 2 choices – atomic bombs or land invasion Were there other options???

Option #1 Continue the conventional bombings and blockade Truman could have relied on continuing to bomb Japanese cities combined with a blockade to wear down the Japanese

Option #2 Demonstrate the atomic bomb Truman could have shown Japanese leaders just how destructive the bomb really is

Option #3 Wait for the Russians Truman could have waited for Russians to declare war and invade. Invasion and occupation by both Russians and American would have more effect on Japan than atomic bomb

Option #4 Negotiate Peace Truman could have discussed peace terms instead of refusing to consider anything but unconditional surrender

Option #5 Keep the Emperor The Japanese leaders might have decided to surrender if Truman assured them that America would not abolish the position of emperor or put Hirohito on trial for war crimes

Option # 6 Use the atomic bombs