Essay on Prompt and Utter Destruction: Truman and the Use of Atomic Bombs Against Japan by Walker

Walker develops the book on the grounds as to the reasons behind the dropping of the atomic bombs on Japan lands of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States of America. With arguments that the weapons were meant to save the American lives as well as end the Pacific wars, the atomic bombs created a positive impact in that were not only Americans saved but also the Japanese. Additionally, Walker says that the bombs attack impacted positively on the lives of the people in that could have been massive loss of lives had the Americans not resolved on the use of horrific measures of weapons. In this case, Walker develops his thesis on the necessity of using the atomic bombs by the United States of America on Japanese grounds to accelerate surrender. He aims at arguing the facts that President Truman had to base on using the deadly weapons on an ending World War II with the Japanese.

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The use of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by Truman faces justification through several mythologies that are convincing as well as contrasting. For instance, the myth justifying that these lethal weapons saved many lives which may not have to be lost had the war proceeded. The president argues that a minimum number of casualties was reported on both the Japanese and the Americans hence the operation successful in all aspects of this move luckily helped bring the war to an end. Moreover, the author is clear to clarify his argument by unveiling the fact that not only did it save lives but was also quick and saved both time and workforce. Walker asserts that as much as other choices are useful in war, Truman felt using the atomic bombs is more efficient in comparison to the invasion regarding the myth. However, the advantages of using the bombs as Walker says is that this act could help the American advance the objectives regarding the growing rift with the Soviet Union since it was clear that the Union could not make Japan surrender willingly. Given this, many people have come to realize that the use of the atomic bomb by Truman on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was basically on the grounds of limiting causalities as much as possible and not by the Soviet reasons. Furthermore, the Americans have gained an understanding that the ending of world war II with Japan through the use of lethal weapons was to shape the after war world and that this decision is sound through the myth.

Needless to say, Walker is apparent to argue his points out through several instances that unravel in regarding the issues of war. For example, about the use of atomic bombs on the Japanese ground, the author analyses this through the examination of President Truman's personality and how he makes decisions. Hence Walker comes out with a conclusion that the use of atomic bombs has been relevant at all times in people's mind and not only Truman. It is so since the America has also been the victim of bombings on its civilians in areas of Dresden and several cities of German. Additionally, the author argues this regarding the Trinity test success where Truman is influenced by the meeting of Churchill and Stalin which shaped the Potsdam Declaration as it also wanted Japan to surrender forcefully. Walker further justices this through the fact that a conventional war entails shocking the government as well as the people through making mass killings on the civilians. However, the controversial exhibit that was presented at Smithsonian Institute changes the primary aim that we are made to believe regarding the atomic bombing. The Institute brings into view the sufferings and pains the Japanese faced in the hands of Americans and the 210000 Japanese who lost lives in the attack. Many questions tend to arise on how then were the number of lives lost minimal compared to the invasion strategy as argued by President Truman. Additionally, the Institute claims that Americans could not have used the bombing strategy in the war against Japanese as this is against humanity.

Conclusion

However, Walker asserts that the bombing of Japan was both necessary as well not regarding ending the war. He argues for the act through views that the attack strategy saved many lives that could not have been lost through invading procedure but again contends that it was not entirely necessary to use the atomic bombing within the limited time without giving Japan a chance to fight back. He gives no clear stand whether he supports the relevance of atomic bombing on Japan as he feels that many other decisions could have been taken. The decision of using this lethal weapon was not based on one fact but several that still have effects today. Needless to say, Walker is not clear to give evidence on why the United States of America suddenly embarked on making Japan surrender quickly and forcefully and hence it can be due to these unanswered questions that make Walker not to have a clear stand on the issue.

References

Walker, J. S. (2008). Prompt and utter destruction: Truman and the use of atomic bombs against Japan. Sydney: Read How You Want.