Harry Truman's Ethical Dilemma During World War II: A Case Study

This case study delves into the ethical dilemma faced by President Harry S. Truman during World War II, specifically concerning the decision to use atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The paper explores the historical context, including Japan's refusal to surrender and the potential alternatives, such as a blockade or continued conventional bombing. It analyzes the justifications for Truman's decision, considering the devastating consequences of the war and the potential for saving American and Japanese lives. The analysis also includes a critique of the prevailing assumptions, such as the lack of other viable options and the immediate surrender of Japan. The paper references various scholarly sources to support its arguments and provides a comprehensive overview of the complexities surrounding this pivotal moment in history. The paper highlights the immense responsibility Truman carried and the lasting impact of his decision, acknowledging the tragic loss of life while attempting to understand the rationale behind the use of such a powerful weapon. It assesses the ethical considerations and the potential alternative courses of action, offering a critical perspective on the events.

Running head: HARRY TRUMAN’S ETHICAL DILEMMA1
Harry Truman’s Ethical Dilemma
Student’s Name
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HARRY TRUMAN’S ETHICAL DILEMMA 2
Harry Truman’s Ethical Dilemma
Introduction
Ethical dilemmas are a common phenomenon in organizations, governments,
management, and individuals. Often, the strife to balance between established rules and policies
with personal ethics comes with a price. These external and internal pressures demand a precise
determination of the morally right judgment, mainly when both values compete against each
other. One such decision faced Harry S. Truman, the United States President who came into
power when the country was in the midst of turmoil and crisis due to the ongoing World War II.
Less than a fortnight after his entry into office, Henry Stimson, his war secretary, informed him
that the Manhattan Project was a success (Reed, 2015). The atomic bomb was ready to launch.
President Truman had a tough decision to make for the sake of Americans and the world at large
– one that would lead to the end of the seemingly perpetual war, but with grievous consequences.
The Ethical Dilemma
The employing of the renowned atomic bombs in Japan is among the most contentious
happenings in world history. Numerous debates on its necessity and implications have been
prevalent since the Nagasaki and Hiroshima bombings (Goldstein, &Stawkowski, 2015).
However, was Truman justified to use it, and if not, when would have Japan terminated its quest
for war? With the war, cities suffered obliteration, economies deteriorated, people died, families
separated, and everyone lived in constant fear. The problem is that when Japan got an offer, to
surrender or continue fighting, it chose the latter – a terrible choice (Thome, 2017). Japanese
ruler, Hirohito, had given intolerable conditions, which meant that the war would persist. Other
possible means to achieve the desired end were supposedly more devastating than the atomic
bomb.

HARRY TRUMAN’S ETHICAL DILEMMA 3
There is always a solution to every problem faced. The Japan issue was not just a United
States dilemma but a global concern. Several approaches could have been profound to resolve
the issue, but they still posed grievous consequences. First, a blockade on Japan would have
starved the nation (Duling, 2018). Second, the continued Soviet invasion of Korea and
Manchuria would have led to Stalin’s premeditated oppressive occupation in Hokkaido
(Yamaguchi, Yoshida, & Compel, 2019). Third, the United States’ orthodox (B-29) bombing
invasions within the Japanese cities would persist until there was no target to attack, as the
combat for Okinawa illustrated (Duling, 2018). Fourth, the rail-line utilized in the food
distribution across the country would have suffered continuous wreck. Lastly, the Operation
Olympic success of the Kyushu would have risked millions of Americans and Japanese lives
(Mills, 2018). All these interventions required a superior intervention because Japan was
reluctant to yield and make peace.
Analysis
In this scenario, a difficult decision had to be made. Truman demanded that the Japanese
surrender unconditionally, which would be followed by deadly consequences if they refused.
However, the U.S. never mentioned a newly developed military weapon that could destroy the
masses. Unfortunately, the Japanese military overruled the request. Truman had to act, and it was
his right decision that would allow for the use of a weapon, one solely made to kill on a large
scale. According to Casey (2011), Truman considered it an awful responsibility that had
confronted the U.S. then. Although Japan was an uncivilized and cruel nation, then, it was tough
to decide that acting, in the same manner, would be the solution.
The effect of war always has serious repercussions. President Truman regretted the
essence of annihilating entire populations in the attacked areas because of the few stubborn

HARRY TRUMAN’S ETHICAL DILEMMA 4
leaders. Still, the only reliable way to confront a beast was to perceive it that way. Indeed, there
were millions of innocent children and women who consequently died, but Truman’s decision
was worth it (Selden & Selden, 2015). Without the bombings, many Americans and the Japanese
would have continually died.Additionally, more Japanese cities would be ruined, and starvation
due to the diminishing sources of food would have occurred. Besides, the U.S. army would have
been left stranded without resources as what remained would be depleted. However, it was tragic
to know that by his authority, millions of people could die accompanied by the devastating
consequences of the bombs in the later years.
Critique
The prevailing assumptions are that there existed no other alternative besides effecting
the atomic bombs and that upon dropping them, Japan would immediately surrender. However,
what if the attacks occurred in a lesser populated region, I think the waring nation could have
observed the effects and retreat. Additionally, Truman would have ordered ground invasions on
the Japanese Island. Casualties may have been high, but it was worth a trial compare to the ones
caused by the bombings. The president’s situation was stressful and grievous, but was his
decision rational or was it influenced by a desire to become famous by ending the war. These are
some of the issues that one would weigh and determine whether the bombs were the only option,
or e were there other ways to rescue the situation?

HARRY TRUMAN’S ETHICAL DILEMMA 5
References
Casey, S. (2011). Harry S. Truman. In Mental maps in the early Cold War era, 1945–68 (pp. 32-
51). Palgrave Macmillan, London.
Duling, K. (2018). The Order to Drop the Atomic Bomb, 1945. Cavendish Square Publishing,
LLC.
Goldstein, D. M., &Stawkowski, M. E. (2015). James V. Neel and Yuri E. Dubrova: Cold war
debates and the genetic effects of low-dose radiation. Journal of the History of Biology,
48(1), 67-98.
Mills, W. D. (2018). DM Giangreco. Hell to pay: operation downfall and the invasion of japan,
1945-annapolis, md: naval institute press, 2017. Journal of Military and Strategic
Studies, 19(1).
Reed, B. C. (2015). Nuclear weapons at 70: reflections on the context and legacy of the
Manhattan Project. PhysicaScripta, 90(8), 088001.
Selden, K. I., & Selden, M. (2015). The Atomic Bomb: Voices from Hiroshima and Nagasaki:
Voices from Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Routledge.
Thome, M. S. (2017). Hiroshima on peace education and problems with us-centric historical
narratives in a world without survivors. International ResearchScape Journal, 4(1), 3.
Yamaguchi, H., Yoshida, F., & Compel, R. (2019). Can the atomic bombings on japan be
justified? A conversation with dr. Tsuyoshi Hasegawa. Journal for Peace and Nuclear
Disarmament, (just-accepted).