The Dropping Of The Atomic Bomb On Japan - 5502 Words

Why do historians perspectives differ in relation to the dropping of the atomic bomb on Japan? Sub Issues Questions: Scott Carroll The dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6th, 1945 and Nagasaki on August 9th, 1945 was the first and last time the weapon has been used to date; the atomic explosions exposed the true potential of nuclear warfare whilst also highlighting the global superiority that America possessed at the conclusion of World War II. On August 6th, 1945 â€Å"Little Boy†, a uranium atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in an effort by the United States (U.S.) and backed by the Soviet Union, the British and the Chinese to force a Japanese surrender. However, American intelligence suggested no evidence of Japanese†¦show more content†¦At the other end of the spectrum, counter revisionists tend to lean towards the necessity for the bomb and its use as a means to end the Pacific War. The historiography of the dropping of the bomb has been controversial, as the explanations and justifications for the use of the bomb and it’s subsequent consequences have been widely dis puted, with concern amongst historians sparking debate on the moral, diplomatic and military justifications. The three historians that I will be examining will be; Harry S. Truman, Gar Alperovitz and Richard B. Frank, whilst these historians deliver a range of valid perspectives on the decision to drop the bomb there are a range of influences that must be acknowledged first which invariably influence each historians argument. Harry S. Truman’s memoirs, Memoirs By Harry S. Truman: 1945 Year of Decisions (1955) provides a valuable insight into the decision to use the bomb and argues from a traditionalist viewpoint. A major influence in Truman’s source is his motive to exonerate himself in history as he â€Å"spent most [of] his post-presidential years guarding and constructing his legacy and place in history†. This notion is derived from Truman’s consciousness of history, constructing his memoirs 10 years from the event which was stemmed from his â€Å"desire for fair treatment by future historians† and to avoid being titled as the President that inhumanely dropped nuclear weapons on civilians.