October 30, 1998

In the 1900's, the U.S. helped Japan by bringing together a peace settlement for them with Russia. But then Japan chose to join the Axis Power during WWII and became very agressive--invading many countries. Then Japan bombed Pearl Harbor with no warning in 1941. After 4 long years, Germany and Italy were defeated, but Japan refused to surrender. On July 16,1945, Truman, with the support of the U.S. military commanders and Prime Minister Churchill of Great Britain, ordered the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, then later Nagasaki.

Although many Japanese were killed in the blast , at least a quarter of a million American soldiers and a quarter of a million Japanese were spared due to the bomb. Where if the war had continued, twice that many people on both sides, would have been harmed.

Truman compared the bombing of Pearl Harbor to a shot in the back.

See an atomic bomb.

Read more about decisions on the Atomic Bomb

by Ryan and Adam
Mill Creek Elem.
Independence, Mo.