Question

This statement was one of the terms of the Potsdam Declaration in July 1945:

"We call upon the government of Japan to proclaim now the unconditional surrender of all Japanese armed forces, and, to provide proper and adequate assurances of their good faith in such action. The alternative is prompt and utter destruction."

What does this statement indicate about the use of the atomic bomb in World War II?

Answer 1

Answer: The leaders of Great Britain and the Soviet Union supported dropping the bomb.

Answer 2

This statement doesn´t suggest the use of the atomic bomb outrightly. It contains a clear threat of a hard punishment for not agreeing to the terms presented, but we could say that president Harry Truman had the bomb and the possibility of dropping it in mind. Look at the words "utter destruction." The US did not officially reveal the existence of the bomb to its Allies, though they either unofficially knew about it or had some idea. Stalin knew about it thanks to Soviet espionage.

Step-by-step explanation: