Why didn't President Truman authorize a demonstration of the atomic bomb first instead of choosing to drop it on Japan? Check all of the boxes that apply.

- He wasn't sure if a demonstration bomb would work and couldn't afford to have it be a dud.

- He only had two, and it was believed that two were needed to end the war.

- He did not want to pass up the chance to punish Japan.

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History

Sheldon Reese

4 July, 15:10

Why didn't President Truman authorize a demonstration of the atomic bomb first instead of choosing to drop it on Japan? Check all of the boxes that apply.

- He wasn't sure if a demonstration bomb would work and couldn't afford to have it be a dud.

- He only had two, and it was believed that two were needed to end the war.

- He did not want to pass up the chance to punish Japan.

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Malia Calderon · Answer 1

He wasn't sure if a demonstration bomb would work and couldn't afford to have it be a dud. He only had two, and it was believed that two were needed to end the war.

In May 1945, the Interim Committee was created in order to discuss matters that pertained to nuclear energy. The committee discussed the possibility of a non-combat demonstration. However, it was clear that this could not be achieved. The United States worried that a demonstration bomb would not work. If the bomb was a dud, it would fail to impress the Japanese, as well as result in a lot of wasted money. Moreover, this would leave the country with only one bomb, and it would take them many months to create another one. One might not be enough to end the war. Therefore, the plan was not viable.