How did president truman feel about using the bomb during world war 2?

Answer 1

Truman had no idea of the monumental consequences of his actions. In a radio speech to the nation on August 9, 1945, President Truman called Hiroshima "a military base." It seems likely that he was not aware that Hiroshima was a city. Otherwise, he was being untruthful about the nature of the target.

Truman did not understand what was involved. You can see that from the language he used. Truman announced the bombing of Hiroshima while he was at sea coming back from Potsdam, and his announcement contained the phrase - I quote from the New York "Times" of August 7, 1945: "We have spent 2 billion dollars on the greatest scientific gamble in history - and won."

To put the atomic bomb in terms of having gambled 2 billion dollars and having "won" seems to be out of proportion to the monumental consequences.

Answer 2

Harry Truman had no qualms or second thoughts about ordering the use of the atomic bombs as a way to bring the Pacific theater of world war II to a close. He did as any man who was president at the time of a great war, and had the choice between further bloodshed and great loss of life on both sides or an overpowering war ending blow.

There is evidence that Harry Truman, in his role as US Senator from Missouri and head of the so called Truman Committe which investigated war spending and fraud had some basic knowledge of a large project, consuming huge sums of money going in Tennesse, New Mexico and Washington State. Truman was advised by General George Marshall, FDR's Army Chief of Staff not to stick his nose into these matters. Truman had a great respect for General Marshall and did as he was told.

Truman's first briefing after taking the oath of office was to be told of the bombs existance, and the tests that were pending of the weapon. The issue was such a secret that the FDR hadn't even told his VP. Truman was probably surprised at the scope of the project.

Afterwards, Truman never apologized for the bombs use, insisting that the Japanese had brought the war on themselves by virtue of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Truman was not a man that thought laying awake at night saying "what if" was of great value. He made decisions, tough ones during his entire administration and moved onto the next challenge.

Answer 3

The previous answer is good but incomplete. Until FDR died, Truman did not know about the A-Bomb. It seems that FDR did not really trust of like Truman or any of his other Vice-Presidents. This part of the reason he changed them often. Also, the Manhatten Project was so secret and that Truman did not really have a need to know.

Very few people knew the details of the project and its hoped for ramifacations or destructive power (but it did seem that even this few was too many).

Answer 4

The atomic bomb (Manhattan Project) was top secret. Even President Truman was not suppose to write about it or keep notes in his diary. However, he did leave some vague references in his diary. In July 1945, when the U.S. was debating whether to launch a risky invasion of the Japanese home islands, he wrote, "Finis Japs" when "Manhattan appears" over their homeland. In other words, he believed that the Manhattan Project would spell the end of Japanese military resistance. Once Truman authorized using the new weapon, actual planning and execution of the atomic bomb attack passed through the War Department to the bomber command in the Pacific Theater. Truman himself played no military role after initially approving their use.

There is no indication that either Truman or any of his top advisors had any hesitation in authorizing the use of atomic bombs against Japan. Truman did vaguely alert Soviet leader Stalin that the U.S. had a powerful new weapon (Stalin was already well aware of the atomic bombs, thanks to pro-Soviet spies in the U.S. government and Manhattan Project). Truman also issued a stern ultimatum to Japan at the end of July 1945, in which he threatened them with "swift and utter destruction" if they did not surrender. Truman was far more concerned that he would have to approve a risky, costly U.S. land invasion than he was about the atomic bombs.

Answer 5

I learned in college that he did not hesitate to give the OK. Years later, when the aftermath was well known throughout the world and reality set in, Truman became more defensive when he was probed about the incident. For instance, always reminding people that the war was all but over and he did not want to sacrifice another US life.

I took it as his way of reminding himself that he did the right thing. Anything to help him sleep at night!