g Hiroshima? Could it have been revenge for Pearl Harbors devastation, or maybe an even further motive, the ability to show Russia Americas awesome power. Many found the revenge of atomically bombing Hiroshima satisfying, regardless of the loss of additional American lives spent to achieve it. Truman reflected this feeling in a radio broadcast to the public on the night of August 9, after an atomic bomb had been exploded upon the Nagasaki populace: Having found the bomb we have used it. We have used it against those who attacked us without warning at Pearl Arbor, against those who have starved and beaten and executed American prisoners of war, against those who have abandoned all pretense of obeying international laws of warfare (Long/quotes pg. 10) Yet another ulterior motive for the Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima can be proven. Unbelievable as it might seem, it was to make a point to the Soviet Union. Vannevar Bush (Chief Aide for atomic matters to Stimson, the Secretary of State for War) confirmed this when he said that the bomb was: delivered on time so there was no necessity for any concessions to Russia at the end of the war. (Bloomfield pg. 4) The US did not want the Soviet Union to be involved in the anticipated last push land invasion of Northern China, since this would put it in a good position to exert influence in the area once hostilities ceased. The US therefore attempted to end the fighting before the Red Army entered Chinese territory but did not accept Japanese moves to surrender, leaving President Truman confident about finishing the war in the Far East with as little help from Russia as possible. Ultimately, the atomic bombing of Hiroshima was not needed in Americas effort to win over Japan, however, due to a sense of revenge and egotism, Americas leaders saw it justifiable in their decision. So the question comes to whether or not revenge is right or wrong? In a time of war this issue can become ...
