Explore the private attitude of President Truman regarding the atomic bomb.

Transcription

1 Explore the private attitude of President Truman regarding the atomic bomb. Maggie Congleton (11/14/11) In terms of attitude, an examination on the effect of the atomic bomb portrays not only a public standpoint but a concealed view for President Harry S. Truman. When Truman succeeded Roosevelt in , the U.S. had been at war with Japan for approximately four years. During this time, Truman made a largely controversial decision dropping atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. An analysis of Truman s private interpretations of the atomic bomb show a morally just and intelligent man who had to make an important decision ultimately choosing what he thought was the answer. Although Truman s public standpoint appeared indifferent in concerns of the moral aspect of the bomb, personal letters and diary entries give further insight and show Truman s apprehension towards nuclear warfare. His displeasure for total destruction in war can be seen in his July 16 th (1945) diary entry. Whilst visiting Berlin, he expresses his discontent with the havoc Hitler wrecked. saw absolute ruin. He had no morals... Never did I see a more sorrowful site 2 What makes this statement noteworthy is it s touch on morality, as we see Truman s perspective on the moral aspect of general warfare. His entry continues, I hope for some sort of peace, but I fear that machines are ahead of morals by some centuries I hope not. But we are only termites on a planet 3 Truman s introspection portrays his foreboding against total destruction. The likes of machine warfare are so prodigious, unknown and world-altering that Truman compares the human race to termites. This comparison in particular portrays how little humans really know about the concept of war and peace. Additionally, Truman expresses his desire for global resolve. These feelings did not appear to govern his decision in dropping the atomic bomb, ultimately causing chaos himself. 4 Hypocritical as it may seem, Truman did try to incorporate this moral perspective in his decision. Truman writes in his diary (July 25 th, 1945) the following, 1 Harry S. Truman. (n.d.). Our presidents. Retrieved from 2 Truman, H. (July 16 th, 1945). Entry on Hitler s destruction. Diary. Received from: 3 Ibid. 4 Wilmshurst, P. (Producer). (2005). BBC History of World War II: Hiroshima [DVD].

2 The target will be a purely military one It is certainly a good thing for the world that Hitler s crowd or Stalin s did not discover this atomic bomb. It seems to be the most terrible thing ever discovered, but it can be made most useful 5 Knowing the bomb s potential, Truman stipulated that the bomb be dropped on a military base. Although the final result was drastic in contrast, Truman knew the bomb had to be used for just reasons. Unlike alternative countries, the U.S. was using the atomic bomb to terminate warfare, not initiate it. Truman continued to show his humane feelings regarding the bomb subliminally. When asked to (unnecessarily) bomb Japan further by a U.S. Senator, Truman rebuffed him, (August 9 th ), I can t bring myself to believe that, because they are beasts, we should ourselves act in the same manner 6 Yet, Truman s most compelling statement concerning the atomic bomb may be those which he wrote in his diary on July 25 th, We have discovered the most terrible bomb in the history of the world. It may be the fire destructive prophesied in the Euphrates Valley Era, after Noah and his fabulous Ark. 7 This statement concludes Truman s awe for the atomic bomb. Appalling, and comparable to great prophecies. Even scientists who had worked on the bomb wondered at what they had created, and what it had resulted in. 8 Seen not publically, but in private writings and letters, there is no doubt Truman had his misgiving morally in regards to the bomb and viewed it with wonder. Despite the fact that Truman was somewhat apprehensive, further studies on his personal compositions show that he knew he needed to use the bomb. On August 11 th of 1945, Truman s response to stop bombing and re-consider was as follows, I was greatly disturbed over the unwarranted attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor and their murder of our prisoners... The only language they seem to understand is the one we have been using to bombard them. 9 Defending his decision, Truman states that though it is unfortunate, the Japanese only understand when warfare is concerned. 5 Truman, H. (July 25 th, 1945). Entry on the bomb target. Diary. Retrieved from: 6 Truman, H. (August 9 th, 1945). Letter from President Truman to Senator Richard Russell. Retrieved from: truman-harry/corr_truman_ htm 7 Truman, H. (July 25 th, 1945). Entry on the atomic bomb. Diary. Retrieved from: 8 The day after Trinity [DVD]. (1980). 9 Truman, H. (August 11 th, 1945). Letter from President Truman to Samuel Cavert. Retrieved from:

3 Hiroshima was devastated. Koko Kondo, a survivor of the bombing, admitted she never wanted to ask her mom about the morning of August 6th because the memories were too painful to recall. 10 In the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, scale models show the radius of destruction caused by the bomb in comparison to the bustling city it was before. 11 But Truman had a right to defend himself. His reasons for dropping the bomb were many, and though publically he may have seemed cold, his private musings show Truman s desire for peace and less lives lost. He often wrote letters to his wife, Bess. The following is one such example, (July 20 th, 1945) I want the Jap war won... Then I want peace world peace and will do what can be done by us to get it. 12 As seen in the article Dissecting a decision that shook the world, Truman insisted that more than 500,000 lives would have been lost if not for the Japanese surrender brought about by the bombings. 13 A man by the name of Irv Kupcinet wrote a column in favor of President Truman. Truman s response (August 5 th, 1963) ended with a note that settles his perspective. I knew what I was doing when I stopped the war that would have killed a half millions youngsters I have no regrets and, under the same circumstances, I would do it again 14 Although not definitely known by the public, Truman found it necessary to end the war by dropping the bomb on Hiroshima as well as Nagasaki. A scrutinized look at U.S. President Harry Truman reveals a more private attitude towards the bombing of Hiroshima. The disputed decision Truman made was immense in it s backstory. The man who gave the allowance to decimate Hiroshima was somewhat publically misunderstood,. Truman s speech made on the day Hiroshima was bombed was largely talk of the bomb itself as well as the political and military justifications, seemingly apathetic. Yet beyond this was a man who was very morally 10 Kondo, K. (2011, November 14). Bombing of Hiroshima experience. Lecture presented at Canadian Academy, Kobe, Japan. 11 The East Building, 1-2 Nakajima-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City (November 11 th, 2011). 12 Truman, H. (July 20 th, 1945). Letter from President Truman to wife Bess. Retrieved from: corr_truman_ htm 13 Stone, A. (n.d.). Dissecting a decision that shook the world. USA Today. 14 Truman, H. (August 5 th, 1963). Letter from President Truman to Irv Kupcinet. Retrieved from: truman-harry/corr_truman_ htm

4 aware of the bomb s impact, a human being. Truman had made his decision, and though an impossible decision to make, speculation of his private viewpoint regarding the atomic bomb portrays a perceptive and principled man who chose to do what he thought was right. Word count: 1067

5 Endnotes: 1 Harry S. Truman. (n.d.). Our presidents. Retrieved from 2 / 3 Truman, H. (July 16 th, 1945). Entry on Hitler s destruction. Diary. Received from: ary/ 4 Wilmshurst, P. (Producer). (2005). BBC History of World War II: Hiroshima [DVD]. 5 Truman, H. (July 25 th, 1945). Entry on the bomb target. Diary. Retrieved from: 6 Truman, H. (August 9 th, 1945). Letter from President Truman to Senator Richard Russell. Retrieved from: truman-harry/corr_truman_ htm 7 Truman, H. (July 25 th, 1945). Entry on the atomic bomb. Diary. Retrieved from: n.htm 8 The day after Trinity [DVD]. (1980). 9 Truman, H. (August 11 th, 1945). Letter from President Truman to Samuel Cavert. Retrieved from: 10 Kondo, K. (2011, November 14). Bombing of Hiroshima experience. Lecture presented at Canadian Academy, Kobe, Japan. 11 East Building, 1-2 Nakajima-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City (November 11 th, 2011).

6 12 Truman, H. (July 20 th, 1945). Letter from President Truman to wife Bess. Retrieved from: corr_truman_ htm 13 Stone, A. (n.d.). Dissecting a decision that shook the world. USA Today. 14 Truman, H. (August 5 th, 1963). Letter from President Truman to Irv Kupcinet. Retrieved from: truman-harry/corr_truman_ htm References: East Building, 1-2 Nakajima-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City (November 11 th, 2011). Harry S. Truman. (n.d.). Our presidents. Retrieved from Kondo, K. (2011, November 14). Bombing of Hiroshima experience. Lecture presented at Canadian Academy, Kobe, Japan. Stone, A. (n.d.). Dissecting a decision that shook the world. USA Today. The day after Trinity [DVD]. (1980). Truman, H. (July 16 th, 1945). Entry on Hitler s destruction. Diary. Received from: ary/ Truman, H. (July 25 th, 1945). Entry on the atomic bomb. Diary. Retrieved from:

7 n.htm Truman, H. (July 25 th, 1945). Entry on the bomb target. Diary. Retrieved from: Truman, H. (August 5 th, 1963). Letter from President Truman to Irv Kupcinet. Retrieved from: truman-harry/corr_truman_ htm Truman, H. (August 11 th, 1945). Letter from President Truman to Samuel Cavert. Retrieved from: Truman, H. (August 9 th, 1945). Letter from President Truman to Senator Richard Russell. Retrieved from: truman-harry/corr_truman_ htm Truman, H. (July 20 th, 1945). Letter from President Truman to wife Bess. Retrieved from: corr_truman_ htm Wilmshurst, P. (Producer). (2005). BBC History of World War II: Hiroshima [DVD].

8 Outline: Introduction: Connect directly to prompt: In terms of attitude, an examination on the effect of the atomic bomb portrays not only a public standpoint but a concealed view for President Harry S. Truman. General Information behind the current events (ex. When did Truman become President? World War II? And Conflict between Japan and the U.S.) Thesis: A closer study of Truman s private interpretations of the atomic bomb show a morally just and intelligent man who knew he had to make an important decision ultimately choosing what he thought was the answer. Paragraph One: The Private attitude Truman had: Moral misgivings/etc. Topic Sentence: Although Truman s public standpoint appeared indifferent in concerns of the moral aspect of the bomb, personal letters and diary entries give further insight and show Truman s apprehension towards nuclear warfare. Evidence One: Diary entry of Truman visiting Berlin, thoughts on Hitler and on the destruction he caused with machine warfare. Evidence Two: Diary entry where Truman says he will bomb a military base. Evidence Three: Truman s refusal at the request to further bomb Japan even when not necessary. Evidence Four: Diary entry where Truman compares atomic bomb to biblical prophecies. Return to thesis: Seen not publically, but in private writings and letters, there is no doubt Truman had his misgiving morally in regards to the bomb and viewed it with wonder. Paragraph Two: Truman s Private deliberations for using the bomb. Transition with a touch back to the thesis and the previous paragraph

9 Topic sentence: Despite the fact that Truman was somewhat apprehensive, further studies on his private journals and letters show that he knew he needed to use the bomb Evidence One: Truman s response to letting Japan surrender without further attack. Evidence Two: Letter to Bess Truman expressing desire for the war to be over and peace to be had. Evidence Three: Letter in Response to Irv s column where Truman states he would do it again in the same circumstances. Return to thesis: Although not definitely known by the public, Truman found it necessary to end the war by dropping the bomb on Hiroshima as well as Nagasaki. Conclusion: Simple restate of Prompt: A scrutinized look at U.S. President Harry Truman reveals a more private attitude towards the bombing of Hiroshima Touch back to what was discussed in the main body Conclude with a bit of an opinion, and a bit of a comparison to his public standpoint. Final thesis/ End note: Truman had made his decision, and though an impossible decision to make, speculation of his private viewpoint regarding the atomic bomb portrays a perceptive and principled man who chose to do what he thought was right.