d out when he got to the office. He learned that the Manhattan Project took five years and approximately two billion dollars to develop the atomic bomb. If he didn't use the atomic bomb, he would not have a chance at all to be re-elected. All the hard work and money would be wasted on nothing. If the Americans had found out that all those resources were wasted, they would be upset at Truman. Truman wasn't liked nearly as much as Roosevelt and he knew that he must do something quick to gain America's support. He felt enormous pressure to toughen up. This is taken from a newspaper editorial before the bombing:"Public opinion clamors for a speedy end to the war. The Japanese must be clearly punished for their sneak attack on Pearl harbor that they never try such a despicable act again. We demand unconditional surrender. We will not tolerate that our leaders accept anything else." (Presidential Advisers-Document Packet)This is one of the reasons he was reluctant to call for anything else besides "unconditional surrender". The dropping of the atomic bomb would do just that. America needed to show their power and wanted an immediate and complete end the war. In addition, the Soviet Union could see the wrath of the Americans. So Truman thought that this would give him the respect from the American citizens and to show that he could take control of the situation. Here is what a historian had to say about the situation."Whatever is done to Japan has to be seen not only as a means to end the war but also as a warning to the Soviet Union. The Russians have remained neutral throughout this Asian campaign. Now they will enter to gain the spoils. They are already expanding their influence in occupied areas of Europe. We must demonstrate to them the strength, fury, and will of an American whose interests are attacked." (Presidential Advisers-Document Packet)Moral reasons and consequences:The American army was losing numerous soldiers...
