History help?

Question

On Weds. I have to begin this in class except I want to go ahead with this assignment. I dont even know how to begin.
This is what it is:

TASK
Your task is to sit in the Oval Office, in the chair of President Truman. Now that Germany and Italy have surrendered and the War in Europe is over, your political and military advisors are urging you to end the War in the Pacific quickly by using the newly developed atomic bomb.

Weighing the costs of both an invasion of Japan and dropping the atomic bomb, you, America’s president, must decide what is ultimately the best decision for the United States and its future. Support that decision by writing a speech to the American people.

THE PROCESS

1. the reasons for the Presidents decision,
2. the predicted outcomes surrounding the only other option,
3. the immediate and long term impact the ultimate decision had upon Japan, the U.S. & the world.



I dont even know where to begin. Can someone break it down & help me?

Answer 1

That is an excellent assignment. Read through the TASK directions again. What should the President do now that Germany has surrendered but Japan has not? They have sworn to continue to fight until the last man dies. Should he use the atomic bomb, a new weapon or not? What would be the consequences of using that weapon? Now write a speech in which the Pres. addresses the American people and explains his decision. Include the 3 points mentioned in The Process.
You have an excellent teacher.

Answer 2

Do you have a text book to go by? If not, I suggest you visit your local public library. Ask the librarian to get some books on Harry S. Truman and on WWII.

This was a very important decision for Truman. He spent a lot of time considering the options.

Some of the other responders have good examples about the decision Truman made.

Read about it first, then you will have some solid history behind your decision.

Answer 3

My fellow Americans:

I speak to you tonight in one of the brightest hours in the history of our country and of our democracy. We and our allies have vanquished the evils of Nazi'sim. We gained the unconditional surrender of Germany and her allies. My fellow Americans: We all of us know that one last task remains before us: The unconditional surrender of the Empire of Japan. Gen. MacArthur has done an excellent job of capturing Japanese-held islands. The next task must be the invasion of the Japanese islands, with great loss of life on both sides. My scientific and military advisers tell me that the United States has a weapon called the "atom bomb." One bomb can destroy an entire city. I have given orders that leaflets be dropped on Hiroshima, warning them of what is before them, and on Nagasaki next. As commander-in-chief, I have given orders that the bombs be dropped. May God help us all.

Answer 4

Millions of Americans would die trying to occupy and conquer Japan

Millions of Japanese would also die

Japan could hold out for ever due to its natural terrain, mountains and such, true conquest would not really be possible.

Using the Nukes WAS the humane way to stop the war for all parties involved

The use of Nukes would give pause to the Russians that were surely having plans of conquest for themselves.

Impact? certainly you can handle that end ...