One of the most controversial turning points in history was the decision made by U.S. President Harry S. Truman to use atomic weapons on Japan. In your opinion, after reading the new evidence in these articles, was the decision to drop atomic bombs a military necessity?

Read the following articles and answer the questions below in a 150 to 200 word post:

Messer, R. (August 14, 1985). “Truman`s Decision On The Bomb.” Chicago Tribune.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1985-08-14/news/8502220894_1_bomb-japanese-homeland-soviet-entry (Links to an external site.)

Long, D. (n.d.) “Hiroshima: Was it Necessary?” Hiroshima: The Harry Truman Diary and Papers. http://www.doug-long.com/hst.htm (Links to an external site.)

Alperovitz, G. & Bird, K. (August 1992). Was Hiroshima Needed to End the War? The Christian Science Monitor. https://www.csmonitor.com/1992/0806/06191.html (Links to an external site.)

Your post should respond to the following questions:

1) One of the most controversial turning points in history was the decision made by U.S. President Harry S. Truman to use atomic weapons on Japan. In your opinion, after reading the new evidence in these articles, was the decision to drop atomic bombs a military necessity?

2) Do the readings suggest another reason other than military necessity for Truman’s use of the atomic bomb?

3) What role do primary sources–diaries, private papers, letters–have in telling history?