Truman

Truman

As the use of the atomic bombs was nearing a conclusion, the invasion figures were some what shifted yet again. Truman recollects that "General George Marshall had told him an invasion of Japan would cost at a minimum one-quarter million casualties, and might cost as much as a million on the American side alone" ( News World Communications, page1). Henry Stimson also made similar casualty estimates concerning an invasion. Today it is quite obvious that these numbers are exaggerated intentionally, perhaps to justify dropping the atomic bombs. The figures estimated by Truman and his advisers are suspicious, especially the ones where there is not any historical documented evidence been found. The closest that Truman and his advisers ever came to questioning the use of the atomic bombs was when they considered to publicly demonstrate its capacity, as a warning to the Japanese. This of course did not occur and the atomic bomb plan was kept in highest secrecy by the American government. If a public demonstration did occur, the war most likely would have ended differently, perhaps with less lives lost. Truman's decision to keep this plan a secret from the public is also questionable. It suggests that he, in fact did not want to consider any other alternatives to end the war. Truman was set on making use of the recently developed atomic weapon.

Ending World War II in 1945 was in America's best interests and Truman did not realize the problems involved. The Japanese government was dominated by military and did not favour surrender. In a meeting on July 18,1945, "Truman stated that he did not want another Okinawa" (Ferrell, page22). The American government realized that the Japanese military were very determined and aggressive. Truman was right when he acknowledged that action needed to be taken immediately before things got worse then they were. Plenty of alternatives were available to the Americans, but Truman choose to ignore them. This is another reason why Truman...