Place yourself in President Truman’s position in August, 1945. Would y

Place yourself in President Truman’s position in August, 1945. Would you have ordered the use of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima? On Nagasaki? Explain your answer in each case.

What will be an ideal response?

ANSWER
The argument for bombing Hiroshima was that it would end the war sooner, save lives, justify the expense of the bomb, gain revenge for Pearl Harbor, and warn the Soviets about postwar power relationships. The argument against using the bomb was that it was not needed (Japan was already on the verge of surrender), that a warning and/or demonstration would suffice (and was morally required), and that its use would assure a postwar arms race. The bombing of Nagasaki was a response to Japan’s failure to surrender after Hiroshima, although some say the Japanese had not been given adequate time.