OPVL Atomic Bomb Debate
JB Makhani
White House Press Release
- The first document was from Harry Truman.
- This document informed the American people of the destruction of the Japanese city. Truman seeks to justify his decision, and also outlines the process to which American gained the intelligence for the bomb.
- August 6, 1945
- Hiroshima
- At the time, the atomic bomb was a very mysterious piece of equipment. Truman wanted to inform the American people of the atomic bomb because it was used in warfare, while showing how powerful the American army was. He wanted to also warn of the power of the chemical weapon era and the dangers of it.
- Truman’s goal was to “destroy Japan’s power to make war.” Truman did accomplish this with the atomic bombs he dropped, because Japan soon surrendered after massive losses crippled their power to fight on.
- Truman advocates the power of using atomic energy to maintain world peace, but does not divulge how. He simply states, “it is not intended to divulge the technical processes of production.” He only says he will make recommendations to Congress about how to maintain peace and will continue to form committees and do research.
- Truman claims that Japan was given an opportunity to surrender at Potsdam, and that diplomatic attempt was the olive branch that they refused, giving America a right to attack. Also, he claims that Japan continued to fight on, and he needed to attack to save American lives and time and resources.
