EVIDENCE ~

6/17/45 Diary Entry:
"I have to decide Japanese strategy - shall we invade Japan proper or shall we bomb and blockade? That is my hardest decision to date. But I'll make it when I have all the facts."


President Truman had to decide whether or not to bomb Japan or invade the mainland. It was the tougheest decision for him and most likely the biggest decision he has ever had to make in his life. It was not just a little decision because he had to look over all at what is best for America. He had to look at the lives of the soldiers and what would truly end the war. He had finally decided after looking at all the options.


8/6/45: Excerpt from public statement by President Truman. This was the first time he publicly gave a reason for using the atomic bomb on Japan:
"The Japanese began the war from the air at Pearl Harbor. They have been repaid many fold.
"If they do not now accept our terms they may expect a rain of ruin from the air, the like of which has never been seen on this earth."


The attack on Pearl Harbor was a big mistake by Japan. They brought America into World War II. "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant ad fill him with a terrible resolve"(Japanese Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto). President Truman and the Allies gave Japan terms and since they did not accept them then the atomic bombs were dropped. The atomic bombs are the most horrible weapons created and Japan did not know what was coming.


http://www.nytimes.com/keyword/nagasaki


New York Times has an interview with survivors of the bombing. A family was in their undergroround bomb shelter and heard the bomb. They waited for the clear signal that the air raid was over. Another man, Mr. Takahashi, was missing his ears, fingers, and was deformed. He was weakened by the chronic from the atomic bombs. He believed that what the United States did was wrong. He believed theyy broke international law and all principles of humanity when they dropped the nuclear bombs.


http://www.atomicarchive.com/Docs/Hiroshima/Potsdam.shtml


After the bombs Japan surrendered and had to agree to the Allies terms. For Japan's surrender the Proclomation Defining Terms were issued at Potsdam. There are thirteen terms they had to agree too. It was signed and the war was ended.


http://www.cddc.vt.edu/host/atomic/hiroshim/truman1.html


President Truman made an immediate statement after the bombs were dropped. He talked about how much power the bomb had. He told the people that the Japanese were repaid for what they did to us. He stated the proccess of creating the bombs and the decisions that were made. He said that nuclear power can be used to maintain world peace.


8/10/45 Diary Entry:
"Ate lunch at my desk and discussed the Jap offer to surrender which came in a couple of hours earlier. They wanted to make a condition precedent to the surrender. Our terms are 'unconditional'. They wanted to keep the Emperor. We told 'em we'd tell 'em how to keep him, but we'd make the terms."


President Truman offered Japan terms. They would not surrender and thought that the terms were not fair. The United States was not going to lower their terms. Truman had to do whatever ended the war and made world peace.


8/9/45 Letter to Senator Richard Russell:
"My object is to save as many American lives as possible but I also have a humane feeling for the women and children in Japan."


Trumad had a very tough decision. He had to look at the lives of the American soldiers, but also Japan. He did not want to hurt Japanese women and children because they are innocent. His goal was to stop the military, so what had to be done was done.


http://www.nuclearfiles.org/menu/library/correspondence/truman-harry/corr_truman_1958-03-12.htm


President Truman wrote a letter to Honorable Tsukasa Nitoguri, a chairman on the city council. He reminded the city council of the damage caused by their attack on Pearl Harbor. He talked about the decisions they had to make. He told them about his options, but he had to look at what was best for the United States. He believed the bombings were the best decision and sacrafice for Japan and the Allies.