FDR, Franklin Delano
Roosevelt, who made the decision to make the bomb, never lived
to see the success. Three months before, FDR died from a
stroke and Vice President Harry S. Truman took over.
This was not a happy moment for Truman. He had barely
any idea of FDR's plans and he did not know what the present
situation was. He knew almost nothing about the
Manhattan Project. When Harry Truman became president,
the war in Europe was over. Hitler had committed suicide
and Germany surrendered unconditionally. Now, America
had turned its attention to the war in the Pacific against
Japan. The atomic bomb, originally designed to be used
against Germany was readied for Japan. By 1945, Japan
had started fighting a defensive war. The fearless
Japanese soldiers fought without fear to preserve honor.
Many flew kamikaze raids at American ships. This and
fighting against soldiers that fight to the death cost
thousands of American lives. One estimate said that one million soldiers would be lost in an invasion against
Japan.
It was then recommended to Truman that the
atomic bomb be used against Japan to encourage
surrender. The committee was convinced that the atomic
bomb would be used in the general public's favor, saving
thousands of American lives and not putting so much time and
money to waste. Many scientists from Chicago issued a
report saying that if this bomb was used without warning
against Japan, it could jeopardize the support of the
world. It could also start an arms race and risk the
failure of making a world agreement to ban nuclear
weapons. Many other recommendations were made that the
bomb should be used but with a warning.
Truman ended up choosing to drop the bomb,
telling Japan that if they do not surrender, they will face
great destruction. Japan had no idea that they were
being threatened with atomic bombs.
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