Hiroshima
This documented discussion will address and include analysis, comparison, stylistic contrast, purposes, personae, and argumentative techniques of Michael Walzer's Hiroshima: An Act of Terrorism and Paul Fussell's Hiroshima: A Soldier's View. Additionally, this author will include specific doctrine by President Harry S. Truman as relates to the content. During his term in office, Harry Truman addressed the Congress and paid homage to Franklin D. Roosevelt and pledged to follow his policies. Truman reaffirmed the allied military policy of unconditional surrender and held out a vision of future peace achieved through the United Nations and through continued cooperation among the allies. He held his first press conference on the 17th of April and again reaffirmed his commitment to Roosevelt's policy. (Pemberton, William E., Harry S. Truman, Fair Dealer and Cold Warrier, p. 37). Truman's doctrines and policies are reflected here and are seen to persist during a time where much devastation was wreaked in the name of a greater and longer lasting ideal. The military and moralistic implications are indeed far-reaching and reflected and expressed in various literary form, particularly poignant in Paul Fussell's Hiroshima: A Soldier's View. The scene takes place in New York City. The speaker states, "In life, experience is a great teacher. In Scotch, Teachers' is the great experience." This is a recollection of a whiskey ad, and brings to mind that experience is common to those in the military and particularly those who were taught to recall that, "To close with the enemy and destroy him." The story, from a soldier's perspective, illuminates the ugliness and banality of what war is all about. The story teller speaks of a cert...
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...S. with the various political, military and international (legal) considerations. Stylistically, there is a contrast between the two authors. In the case of Paul Fussell, I would characterize his discourse as more literary, although by comparison weaker philosophically. Walzer approaches the infamous event from a greater philosophical and moral perspective, in which he (in my opinion) succeeds in making his case. This is not to say that Hiroshima was necessarily a good thing or a bad thing, but from a philosophical and moralistic perspective, Walzer appears more erudite. However, erudition and literacy aside, there are serious implications and pronouncements in the writings of Paul Fussell within his more dramatic and figurative essay. He writes as a man who has known and seen battle and expresses himself from a vantage perspective which is both practical and moral.
Walker gives three reasons why the perception that Truman faced a categorical choice between the atomic bomb and an
Fussell pointed out in his essay that those that opposed the dropping of the Atom Bomb were not of those men going into war and actually fighting. Those people often came from money or some high educational background. They often support the idea that the war was going to end anyway so the dropping of the bomb was extremely unnecessary and killed innocent people. However, as it was stated in the essay that the weeks leading up to the bombing as many as seven thousand soldiers were getting killed or injured every week..
The non-fiction book Hiroshima by John Hersey is an engaging text with a powerful message in it. The book is a biographical text about lives of six people Miss Sasaki, Dr. Fujii, Mrs. Nakamura, Father Kleinsorge, Dr. Sasaki and Rev. Tanimoto in Hiroshima, Japan and how their lives completely changed at 8:15 on the 6th of August 1945 by the dropping of the first atomic bomb. The author, John Hersey, through his use of descriptive language the in book Hiroshima exposes the many horrors of a nuclear attack.
One of the most controversial decisions that have been made, in the history of the United States, was Harry Truman’s decision to drop atomic bombs on the two Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The ever so controversial topic of the dropping of the atomic bombs has successfully driven people insane. People feel strongly that this decision was atrocious and unnecessary, while others believe the polar opposite, that it was completely necessary. Some historians argue that the human cost to the Japanese population can never justify the use of such weapons. Other historians see it from an optimistic perspective, that it would not have been moral if atomic weapons had not been used to end the war as quickly as possible. President Harry S.
C.S.C., W. D. (2011). The Most Controversial Decision Truman the atomic Bombs, and the defeat of Japan. University of Notre Dame: Cambridge University Press.
Though they both occurred during World War II, they have their variances. In Toshiko Saeki’s narrative of the Hiroshima bombing, she fails to find her mother in Hiroshima, but is eventually shown what was left of her burnt head by her brother. She describes her brother’s psychotic post-nuke behavior as his “mind was shattered into pieces.” Despite many
...ings by saying that it saved millions of Americans, but I came to find out that, that wasn’t so true. While looking through many articles, books, and databases, I realized that before getting this assignment I only knew the things that were shared with me about this subject. I knew what everyone wanted me to know and I never questioned it. I believed that if our country were to bomb someone, they’d have justifiable reasons as to why they did it. This event taught me that just because there are a few myths as to why something happened, you don’t have to agree with them. America is my home, but never will I ever agree that the dropping of Little Boy and Fat Man on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were necessary. They could have been avoided and lives could have
Never in U.S. History has the fate of millions laid in the hands of one man, President Harry S. Truman. Truman became president after the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt in April, 1945. This shift into presidency left Truman with the choice to use atomic weaponry for the first time in human history. Truman’s decision to use atomic bombs depends on scenarios provided by the Secretary of War Henry Stimson and the Secretary of State James Byrnes. Both secretaries have substantial justifications for their arguments in which either decision possesses implications that will change the status of the war and the world. While Truman’s decision will be elaborated on at the end of this piece it is beneficial to establish an appropriate standpoint for Truman. Ultimately, Truman’s choice to utilize an atomic bomb is up to him. Nonetheless, it is justifiable to claim that implementing an atomic bomb against Japan is a suitable decision because there is a higher probability of saving more military and civilian lives than a full-scale invasion.
Newman, Robert P. “Hiroshima and the Trashing of Henry Stimson.” New England Quarterly (1998): 5-32.
The Revisionists and the orthodox views are different opinions on President Truman’s decision to use the atomic bomb. The revisionists believed that Truman’s decision was wrong and there could have been alternatives. They say that the Bomb was unnecessary and it was only used as a “diplomatic tool” and to show the power of th...
This investigation assesses President Harry Truman’s decision to drop atomic bombs on both Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It will determine whether or not his decision was justified. This investigation will scrutinize the reasons that made Harry Truman feel inclined to drop atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Preventing further casualties along with the desire to end the war are two argumentative points that will be analyzed to determine if they were strong enough to justify the dropping of the atomic bombs. Excerpts from Truman’s memoirs and a variety of different titles were consulted in order to undertake this investigation. Section C will evaluate two sources for their origins purposes values and limitations. The first is a book titled The Invasion of Japan written by John Stakes in 1955. And the second is a book titled Prompt & Utter Destruction written by J. Samuel Walker.
Upon reading “Prompt and Utter Destruction: Truman and the Use of Atomic Bombs Against Japan” by J. Samuel Walker, a reader will have a clear understanding of both sides of the controversy surrounding Truman’s decision to drop atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. The controversy remains of whether or not atomic bombs should have been used during the war. After studying this text, it is clear that the first atomic bomb, which was dropped on the city of Hiroshima, was a necessary military tactic on ending the war. The second bomb, which was dropped on Nagasaki, however, was an unnecessary measure in ensuring a surrender from the Japanese, and was only used to seek revenge.
... the kinds of things that happen in war, however unfortunate they may be. In this quote Harry Truman again defends and simplistically explains his decision to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki- “The atom bomb was no ‘great decision’..It was merely another powerful weapon in the arsenal of righteousness.” Truman and the American public rightly stood behind the use of the atom bomb.
“Why We Dropped the Bomb” by Gar Alperovitz is a much stronger argument compared to “Thank God for the Atom Bomb” by Paul Fussel because of its reliable information that is backed up by facts and evidence. Fussel uses statistics that hold no proof or background. He uses examples of Japanese cruelty as a justification of the killing of thousands of people with the use of the atom bomb. Alperovitz’s argument persuasive in its formal tone and uses facts instead of personal opinions and calculations.
Historian Robert James Maddox starts the debate by siding with Truman and states that he made the right decision in dropping the bomb. Maddox uses several influential meetings, speculations and the presidents’ personal opinions on the situation to defend his statement. Some examples he uses include, Japanese military power and mentality, saving American lives, and unconditional surrender. In short, because the use of the atomic bomb occurred, the Japanese military lost their lust to fight to the end, countless lives were saved, and Japan surrendered. Therefore, although many Japanese lives were lost in the conflict the right decision was made by Harry Truman to authorize the usage of the bombs.