Explain whether President Truman and the United States were justified in using the atomic bomb to force Japan to surrender. In your response, write two to three paragraphs that include details and evidence from the lesson and the readings.

At the time and situation of the direction of the Pacific War, the dropping of the atomic bombs is justifiable. The United States had pushed the Japanese back to their archipelago. The US had the option of either dropping nuclear weapons or invading the Japanese mainland. An amphibious invasion was calculated to include over 1 million American casualties with even more Japanese casualties, including nationwide destruction of cities and landscape. Considering that Japanese nation is made up of thousands of different islands (with the vast majority being on the four largest islands) and the Japanese military doctrine including fighting to the death with surrender a dishonorable option, an invasion was too costly. Dropping the bombs on Hiroshima in Nagasaki should be considered the least costly option, as both cities have made a dramatic recovery over time compared to what an amphibious invasion would have resulted in.