Question

You are a close advisor to President Truman. Which of the following do you advise the President to do? Be prepared to defend your answer.

1) Without warning, drop an atomic bomb on a Japanese city as soon as possible.
2) Drop the bomb on an unpopulated area to demonstrate its destructive capabilities.
3) Warn the Japanese that the United States possesses atomic weapons and is willing to use them if they don't surrender in a specified time. If they don't surrender, then drop the bomb.
4) Reject the use of atomic weapons, and continue the naval blockade and conventional bombing. If the measures do not produce a Japanese surrender, invade Japan.
5) Reject the use of atomic weapons and negotiate an end to World War II, allowing the Japanese to surrender with their emperor as a part of the postwar government.

Answer 1

As an advisor to President Truman, I would advise him to choose option 3) Warn the Japanese that the United States possesses atomic weapons and is willing to use them if they don't surrender in a specified time. If they don't surrender, then drop the bomb. This option combines both a warning to the Japanese and the potential use of the atomic bomb as a last resort if the warning is ignored. It allows for an opportunity for the Japanese to surrender without the need for a full-scale invasion, which would cost more Allied lives and take a longer time to conclude.

Step-by-step explanation:

As an advisor to President Truman, I would advise him to choose option 3) Warn the Japanese that the United States possesses atomic weapons and is willing to use them if they don't surrender in a specified time. If they don't surrender, then drop the bomb.

This option combines both a warning to the Japanese and the potential use of the atomic bomb as a last resort if the warning is ignored. It allows for an opportunity for the Japanese to surrender without the need for a full-scale invasion, which would cost more Allied lives and take a longer time to conclude. By warning the Japanese, we demonstrate the United States' willingness to utilize its atomic weapons while also giving them a chance to avoid further destruction.

By choosing option 3, we are taking into consideration both the strategic military advantages and the potential consequences of the atomic bomb's use, ensuring a balanced approach to the situation.