Matthew Felan
American History 1302
Prompt and Utter Destruction by J. Samuel Walker
What action or battle ended World War II? Was it the atomic bomb that the
United States dropped on Japan? In the reading there were two sides to the story.
The first side stated that the bombings were militarily necessary for ending the war.
The other side stated that the bombings were unjustified and inhumane to show off
American Military force for the one purpose of intimidating the Soviet Union.
(Walker, 12) In the book the author does not pick one side but agrees and disagrees
on both yes and no. I believe that the drop of the atomic bomb was unnecessary and
killed a lot of innocent lives. On the other hand it did prevent the war to end a lot
sooner than if they didn’t do it. Causing a lot less American casualties and Japanese
as well.
Walker in the reading explained Truman felt he only had a choice between
invading Japan and using the atomic bombs. A lot of these theories were introduced
after the war had ended. (Walker, 96-97) He stated that there were other ways we
could have ended the war without dropping the atomic bomb. He also stated that
the war would have ended eventually without an invasion if America had sat it
through. (Walker, 96-97)
Truman explained one of the reasons for him dropping the atomic bomb was
to have the war end faster. (Walker, 9) He stated if we didn’t drop the atomic bomb
that the war could have been dragged out for years. Costing America more money.
By dropping the bomb it would benefit in many ways for the war. (Walker, 9)
Truman also explained by dropping the atomic bomb it prevent the United
States from having to invade Japan and loosing more and more of our soldiers.
(Walker, 75) It saved a lot of American lives but by doing this killed a lot of innocent
lives. The atomic bomb was the answer to not risking our solders lives and sending
them to there death.
The final reason Truman decided to drop the atomic bomb was for Pearl
Harbor. The Japan had launched a surprise attack on the United States naval base
located in Hawaii. A lot of the United States battle ships were sunk that day with
American soldiers sill inside of them. (Walker, 85) A lot of American soldiers died
that day.
Americans felt that the drop of the atomic bomb was a display of might
