Today, I realized I haven't resolved in my mind the real reason for the 2 A-bombs being dropped on Japan-1945

Question

I was reading material from an "Austin Bay Blog" just before the 60th anniversary of the bombing.

I knew most think Truman ordered it because it would "save American lives", and truly it did.

However, the invasion wasn't to occur until 3 months later; Japan had had peace feelers out for about 2-3 months, plenty of time to get a peace process going. The only thing the Japanese wanted was protection for Hirohito, their "god". (We gave him that protection anyway in the peace that followed, MacArthur saw to that).

The Allies would permit Russia to become militarily involved against Japan 90 days after V-E Day, (May 8th). Therefore, I've always believed that the bombs drop was to preceed their getting into the war w/ Japan.

However, from the blogs I've read, (above) Russia had already invaded Manchuria, (so they WERE ALREADY in the war with Japan, on the ground).

So, my question is: With the above senario, was Truman only wanting to show Russia that we DID have the A-bomb?

Answer 1

Why all this soul wrenching over the atom bomb Sure america used it,and it saved millions of lives.Perhaps today it would be wrong But then in 1945 it was right Europeans were dancing in the street Why does the usa distort history so much The ussr declared war on japan on aug.6th two days before any atom bomb was used Further japan had'nt attacked the ussr(unlike the usa who only entered the war when attacked) Churchill at the yalta conference,wanted allied forces involved on the eastern front to prevent russian dominance.He lost the vote roosevelt voted with stalin

Answer 2

There is so much history written on this...Truman and Einstein went back and forth on this...the human loss..even if it was Japanese..they are humans too...it saved alot of American lives...that was the soul purpose....and I believe it was also to show the World..that we ..the United States are a nation that will be recognized as a Super Power..

Answer 3

Early on America purposely never attacked certain cities in Japan to accurately assess nuclear damage to those cities afterward.

"If we (Japan) had the Atomic bomb we would of used it on you (America)." ~ Former Japanese Suicide Glider Bomber Pilot saved by wars end, interviewed years later in documentary for television

Answer 4

It served many purposes. Ended the war,provided a live test subject, and sent a message to the world-yes we have it and are not afraid to use it. Peace

Answer 5

We would of lost over a million men if we have invaded the Japanese homeland

Answer 6

Yes, and not only were we showing the Russians, but we were flexing our muscles to the rest of the world too: "hey, don't mess with us, we won't hesitate to drop a bomb right on your citizens!"

Answer 7

Wouldn't he have stopped at one if that was the only purpose?

Real question is, why didn't the Japs surrender after the first one?

Answer 8

IF YOU HAVEN;T ANSWERED THAT QUESTION IN YOUR MIND BY NOW... YOU NEVER WILL ,THINK OF SOMETHING ELSE THAT YOU CAN ANSWER YOURSELF