1. Truman, Hirohito, and the Bomb

2. 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

3. 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

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

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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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”

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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)

18. 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???

19. 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

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

21. 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

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

23. 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

24. Option # 6
Use the atomic bombs