should president truman have authorized the development of thermonuclear weapon?

Answer 1

~If you refer to the Manhatten Project and atomic bombs, he didn't. He knew nothing of the project until after FDR died. I presume you are not, however, given that Fat Man and Little Boy were not thermonuclear weapons - not by a few megatons. As to continuing the research, heck, weapons developement should have stopped with the sling. Duh, having dropped a primitive atomic to try to scare the wits out of Joe Stalin, knowing he (and several others) were continuing the research, doesn't common sense suggest the answer to you. You should be more concerned about the bugs Uncle is playing with at CDC.

Answer 2

If you're talking about the Manhatten Project then yes. We were in the middle of a war!! That is what countries do during times of war (and peace) they develop bigger and more powerful weapons in order to scare the other guy into surrendering or wiping him out.

The Nazi's were constantly developing new technology that would give them any kind of advantage in battle.

President Truman's responsibility as Commander-In-Chief was keeping as many American soldiers as safe as possible- and authorizing the creation of a super weapon that could wipe out millions of enemy forces in seconds with 0 American casualties would be doing just that.

Also looking at it from a Public Relations point of view- What do you think would have happened if word got out to the public about this possible "super weapon" that could have saved millions of men, who were sons, husbands, fathers, and brothers, from dying?

But if he knew what ultimately would have happened afterwards (The bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki, The Cold War- though it was inevitable, Nuclear testing in South American countries, and our new problems with North Korea and Iran), then no, it would have been an EXTREMELY irresponsible decision.

Answer 3

In view of his being out of the loop in the decision making at the time, the question is non sequitur. President Roosevelt authorized the development back in '42 after scientists convinced him of Germany's nuclear development program....

Answer 4

Would you feel more comfortable if only Russia, China and (eventually) Iran had it and we didn't?