![]() | Truman and the Hiroshima Cult Subjects: World War. 1939-1945 -- Japan -- Hiroshima-shi; Truman Harry S. 1884-1972; World War 1935-1945 -- Japan -- Nagasaki-shi; Atomic bomb -- United States -- Moral and ethical aspects; Hiroshima-shi (Japan) -- History -- Bombardment 1945; United States --; The United States dropped atomic bombs on Japan in 1945 to end World War II as quickly and with as few casualties as possible. That is the compelling and elegantly simple argument Newman puts forward in his new study of World War II's end, Truman and the Hiroshima Cult . According to Newman: (1) The U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey conclusions that Japan was ready to surrender without "the Bomb" are fraudulent; (2) America's "unconditional surrender" doctrine did not significantly prolong the war; and (3) President Harry S. Truman's decision to use atomic weapons on Japanese cities was not a "racist act," nor was it a calculated political maneuver to threaten Joseph Stalin's Eastern hegemony. Simply stated, Newman argues that Truman made a sensible military decision. As commander in chief, he was concerned with ending a devastating and costly war as quickly as possible and with saving millions of lives. Robert P. Newman is a distinguished historian and writer, and is Professor Emeritus at the University of Pittsburgh. |
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