1. Who was Harry S. Truman's Secretary of War?
Harry S. Truman's Secretary of War was Stimson.
2. Who was Truman's Chief of Staff?
Truman's Chief of Staff was Admiral William D. Leahy.
3. Why did Truman believe nuclear bombs needed to be used?
Truman believed nuclear bombs needed to be used because he wanted unconditional surrender from Japan.
4. Why did Admiral Leahy believe nuclear bombs didn't need to be used?
Admiral Leahy believed that nuclear bombs didn't need to be used because he believed Japan was already defeated and ready to surrender due to the sea blockade and the bombing of the mainland.
5. Why did Supreme Allied Commander and future president Dwight D. Eisenhower believe they didn't need to be used?
Supreme Allied Commander and future president Dwight D. Eisenhower believed that they didn't need to be used because he believed Japan was already defeated and thus the bombs were completely unnecessary.
6. Critics of Truman fall into two camps. One was that he acted rashly because of his "inferior foreign policy skills" when compared to FDR. What is the other major criticism?
The other major criticism is that the cost of the Manhattan Project was so great that the amateur Truman felt forced to carry out its goal.
7. Key critics of Truman's use of the bomb weren't on the "historical fringe," but were who?
Key critics of Truman's use of the bomb were Truman's Secretary of War, Stimson, and his Chief of Staff, William D. Leahy.
8. Truman began to soften on his stance for unconditional surrender but something occurred that changed his mind for good. What was that?
The success of the Trinity Test changed Truman's mind for good.
9. Besides defeating Japan what was Truman's other possible motivation for using the nuclear bombs on Japan?
Truman's other possible motivation for using the nuclear bombs on Japan was to demonstrate the United States' power to the Soviet Union.
10. At Yalta Stalin promised to enter the war against Japan once Germany was defeated. Conventional thinking said this if the Soviets began fighting against Japan.
Conventional thinking said that the Japanese would definitely declare defeat.
11. The four-power surrender ultimatum to be presented to Japan was to be written and decided upon where?
The Potsdam Conference, which was to be in July 1945.
12. What did the Washington Post editorialize about "unconditional surrender"?
The Washington Post said that "unconditional surrender" was never an ideal formula, meaning it was never truly desired.
13. What is the significance of Paragraph 12 in the draft copy of the Potsdam Proclamation prior to Truman setting sail on the USS Augusta? (More detail is needed for this question)
The significance of paragraph 12 in the draft copy of the Potsdam Proclamation prior to Truman setting sail on the USS Augusta was that it indicated that the fate of the current Japanese emperor at that time would be up to Japan, while the revised version of the paragraph didn't mention the "present dynasty".
14. What changed when the Proclamation was publicly announced on July 26?
Paragraph 12 had been revised.
15. According to the author, what might have changed Truman's mind to alter the wording in Paragraph 12? (More detail is needed for this question)
According to the author, the success of the Trinity test might have changed Truman's mind to alter the wording in Paragraph 12. This is because Truman now saw this nuclear power as a way to not only end the war but to also show the USSR what the U.S. was now capable of.
16. Regarding his diary entry of a conversation with Winston Churchill (who is call "P.M." in the entry) what does the author suggest about Truman's attitude with the bomb despite learning what he does from Churchill?
The author suggests that Truman was almost excited and still planning to use the bomb even though it appeared no longer necessary in order to have Japan surrender.
17. What does his caption on the back of the photo of Stalin and Truman suggest about the use of the bomb?
Truman's caption on the back of the photo of Stalin and Truman suggests that Truman was eager to use the bomb and to show it off to Stalin.
18. "From a foreign policy perspective" what two accomplishments were made by dropping the bomb?
"From a foreign policy perspective", the two accomplishments that were made by the dropping of the bomb were: ending the war with Japan and making the first move against the Soviet Union in the Cold War.
19. To give credit to Truman, why didn't he know what FDR's intentions were with the bomb?
Truman didn't know what FDR's intentions were with the bomb because he was a senator and then a vice president before and was kept in the dark about the bomb preparations, and he couldn't consult FDR since it was his death that brought Truman into the presidency.
20. How did the discrepancy between the loss of 1 million U.S. soldiers lives versus 20,000 to 40,000 if Japan's mainland would have been invaded, affect the understanding of their use?
The discrepancy between the loss of 1 million U.S. soldiers' lives versus 20, 000 to 40, 000 if Japan's mainland would have been invaded affected the understanding of the bombs' use because with the 1 million estimate it seems as if the bombs would save American lives, that's why the the 1 million figure was an exaggerated estimate: it was a justification to using the bombs despite the many Japanese losses.
21. Based on your readings, this reading, and discussion in class, in a paragraph or two, answer the following: To what extent was President Truman's decision to drop bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki justified?
Based on the readings and discussion in class, President Truman's decision to drop the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was justified only by a small amount. Unconditional surrender was desired mainly by Truman, but not by his advisors or Churchill. Even when it became known that Japan was ready to surrender, Truman was still eagerly supporting the dropping of the bombs. He claimed it was to permanently end the war with Japan, which many argued was already over thanks to blockades and mainland bombing, and then he gained even more motivation to drop the bombs due to the prospect of intimidating the Soviet Union. Truman even went ahead and approved the dropping of the atomic bombs before telling Congress, or the people. He could have shown the power of the United States by going ahead and invading Japan before the 90 days the Soviet's declared had to pass before they'd help, and forcing them to admit defeat with the U.S. military. This, while costing more American lives, would still show the Soviet Union that the U.S. was certainly not dependent on them, and that their alliance was full of suspicion. The atomic bombing cost thousands of innocent Japanese lives, and was a cruel way to model power. Truman showed almost childish characteristics while deciding what to do with the bombs; he made comments such as "I am sure they will when Manhattan appears over their homeland" which demonstrated his aggression and absurd excitement over the event. He knew how much it cost the country to make the bombs, and was not willing to let that go to waste. While the bombs certainly caused the Soviets to realize the power of the U.S, they were not the only means in which that could have been done. Basically, Truman was an inexperienced president that was overwhelmed with the information of the bombs and their expensive construction, as well as the impending USSR, and he ignorantly approved the bombing despite the obvious disagreement from most of his advisors and the immense destruction it would cause.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Thursday, April 26, 2012
The Potsdam Conference
1. Read Source 17 (p 68). At Yalta, Churchill and Roosevelt had agreed with Stalin that eastern Europe would be a Soviet ‘sphere of influence’. Do you think Source 17 is what they had in mind?
No, I don't think Source 17 is what they had in mind because it's a lot more drastic. It's a beginning to imposing communism throughout eastern Europe, and Churchill and Roosevelt certainly did not want the spread of communism, in fact, that's what they were trying to prevent.
2. Would they agree with Stalin’s views expressed in Sources 17 and 18? Explain your answer.
No, they would not agree with Stalin's views expressed in Sources 17 and 18. This is because Stalin's armies remaining in every territory they liberated in eastern Europe and taking Poland meant that communism was being spread and becoming more and more prominent. They didn't feel as if this was necessary, as Stalin did. Also, Stalin refers to an anti-communist government in Greece as something that he doubts about whether or not it is a truly representative government, and I'm sure that's also something Churchill and Roosevelt would disagree with.
3. Explain how each of the three developments described in the text might affect relationships at Potsdam.
Well, Stalin's armies occupying most of eastern Europe and imposing communism there would create even more hostility between Truman and Stalin, as Truman was already quite wary and suspicious of Stalin's actions in eastern Europe. Britain was additionally suspicious of Stalin. America's new president, Truman, was more anti-communist than Roosevelt was, so relations between him and Stalin were worse than relations between Stalin and Roosevelt were. The success of the U.S. in the development of the atomic bomb would create even more tension between the three men, as the other two knew that America now had an upper hand in weaponry advancement, and both Churchill and Stalin would be skeptical of how America was going to use this new technology.
No, I don't think Source 17 is what they had in mind because it's a lot more drastic. It's a beginning to imposing communism throughout eastern Europe, and Churchill and Roosevelt certainly did not want the spread of communism, in fact, that's what they were trying to prevent.
2. Would they agree with Stalin’s views expressed in Sources 17 and 18? Explain your answer.
No, they would not agree with Stalin's views expressed in Sources 17 and 18. This is because Stalin's armies remaining in every territory they liberated in eastern Europe and taking Poland meant that communism was being spread and becoming more and more prominent. They didn't feel as if this was necessary, as Stalin did. Also, Stalin refers to an anti-communist government in Greece as something that he doubts about whether or not it is a truly representative government, and I'm sure that's also something Churchill and Roosevelt would disagree with.
3. Explain how each of the three developments described in the text might affect relationships at Potsdam.
Well, Stalin's armies occupying most of eastern Europe and imposing communism there would create even more hostility between Truman and Stalin, as Truman was already quite wary and suspicious of Stalin's actions in eastern Europe. Britain was additionally suspicious of Stalin. America's new president, Truman, was more anti-communist than Roosevelt was, so relations between him and Stalin were worse than relations between Stalin and Roosevelt were. The success of the U.S. in the development of the atomic bomb would create even more tension between the three men, as the other two knew that America now had an upper hand in weaponry advancement, and both Churchill and Stalin would be skeptical of how America was going to use this new technology.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Origins of the Cold War: Yalta Conference
1. Choose two points of agreement from the list and explain why they were significant for the future peace of Europe.
First Point: "They agreed that as countries were liberated from occupation by the German army, they would be allowed to hold free elections to choose the government they wanted." This point was significant for the future peace of Europe because it basically ensured the spread of democracy in Europe, attempting to prevent the rise of anymore dictators there in the future.
Second Point: "The Big Three all agreed to join the new United Nations Organization, which would aim to keep peace after the war." This point was significant for the future peace of Europe because it created a new way for the countries in Europe to negotiate and handle world problems, attempting to prevent future major disputes and causes for war.
2. Read Sources 2 - 11 on pages 320 and 321. What is your overall impression of the Yalta Conference based on these sources?
My overall impression of the Yalta Conference based on these sources is that from an outsider's perspective it appears that the Big Three had a genuine alliance and were working and collaborating well together, but from an insider's perspective it's obvious that each in the Big Three had some sort of contempt towards the others, and all were quite wary of one another. Russia appeared to be a threat, and Churchill wanted to prepare in case anything happened. Although Roosevelt must've been fairly objective, according to these sources. Basically, while the Yalta Conference had an inspiring and comforting front, tensions and skepticisms were still running wild between Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt.
First Point: "They agreed that as countries were liberated from occupation by the German army, they would be allowed to hold free elections to choose the government they wanted." This point was significant for the future peace of Europe because it basically ensured the spread of democracy in Europe, attempting to prevent the rise of anymore dictators there in the future.
Second Point: "The Big Three all agreed to join the new United Nations Organization, which would aim to keep peace after the war." This point was significant for the future peace of Europe because it created a new way for the countries in Europe to negotiate and handle world problems, attempting to prevent future major disputes and causes for war.
2. Read Sources 2 - 11 on pages 320 and 321. What is your overall impression of the Yalta Conference based on these sources?
My overall impression of the Yalta Conference based on these sources is that from an outsider's perspective it appears that the Big Three had a genuine alliance and were working and collaborating well together, but from an insider's perspective it's obvious that each in the Big Three had some sort of contempt towards the others, and all were quite wary of one another. Russia appeared to be a threat, and Churchill wanted to prepare in case anything happened. Although Roosevelt must've been fairly objective, according to these sources. Basically, while the Yalta Conference had an inspiring and comforting front, tensions and skepticisms were still running wild between Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt.
Monday, April 9, 2012
America Enters World War II
1. What impact did the outbreak of war in Europe have on U.S. foreign and defense policy?
As the outbreak of war in Europe continued, Roosevelt began to address Congress with acts that would demand an increase in national defense funding, and an increase in funding and shipping to foreign countries, namely Britain. This is because he saw a foreshadowed war and began to prepare for it, despite the "neutrality" of the United States. The outbreak of war in Europe caused the U.S. foreign and defense policy to become less neutral.
2. Why did Roosevelt take one “unneutral” step after another to assist Britain and the Soviet Union in 1941?
Roosevelt took one "unneutral" step after another to assist Britain and the Soviet Union in 1941 because he didn't want to explicitly declare the war that he knew was inevitable; he wanted to ease the United States into a supportive war mode but didn't want to enrage the isolationists in America, so he kept his actions subtle. The Soviet Union had then become an enemy of Hitler, which therefore made it a temporary friend of the U.S. Britain also agreed that Hitler and his power-hungry Germany needed to be stopped, so Roosevelt did what he could to help both Britain and the Soviet Union out without declaring war.
3. Why was the Atlantic Charter important?
The Atlantic Charter was important because it pledged a joint declaration of war aims between Britain and the United States. Also, it ended up forming the basis of the document United Nations, which essentially expressed the common purpose of the Allies in the war.
4. Why did the United States enter into an undeclared shooting war with Germany in fall 1941?
The United States entered into an undeclared shooting war with Germany in fall 1941 because German U-boats continually were sinking U.S. ships, and Roosevelt didn't want to declare war just yet. The Senate, as a result of this undeclared shooting war, ended up repealing the ban against arming merchant ships.
5. How was oil a source of conflict between Japan and the United States?
Oil was a source of conflict between Japan and the United States because Japan needed it to fuel its war machine but the United States had cut off oil trade with Japan because Japan was becoming more aggressive and taking over French military bases.
6. What problem would the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor solve for Roosevelt? What new problems would it create?
The problem the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor solved for Roosevelt was his struggle to get full support of his country in declaring war, the attack gave him a perfect reason to do so. But, the attack did have brutal damage on the U.S.'s Pacific navy, and the United States was being attacked on both fronts now. Roosevelt had to face this challenge, with both naval losses and a now distraught country.
As the outbreak of war in Europe continued, Roosevelt began to address Congress with acts that would demand an increase in national defense funding, and an increase in funding and shipping to foreign countries, namely Britain. This is because he saw a foreshadowed war and began to prepare for it, despite the "neutrality" of the United States. The outbreak of war in Europe caused the U.S. foreign and defense policy to become less neutral.
2. Why did Roosevelt take one “unneutral” step after another to assist Britain and the Soviet Union in 1941?
Roosevelt took one "unneutral" step after another to assist Britain and the Soviet Union in 1941 because he didn't want to explicitly declare the war that he knew was inevitable; he wanted to ease the United States into a supportive war mode but didn't want to enrage the isolationists in America, so he kept his actions subtle. The Soviet Union had then become an enemy of Hitler, which therefore made it a temporary friend of the U.S. Britain also agreed that Hitler and his power-hungry Germany needed to be stopped, so Roosevelt did what he could to help both Britain and the Soviet Union out without declaring war.
3. Why was the Atlantic Charter important?
The Atlantic Charter was important because it pledged a joint declaration of war aims between Britain and the United States. Also, it ended up forming the basis of the document United Nations, which essentially expressed the common purpose of the Allies in the war.
4. Why did the United States enter into an undeclared shooting war with Germany in fall 1941?
The United States entered into an undeclared shooting war with Germany in fall 1941 because German U-boats continually were sinking U.S. ships, and Roosevelt didn't want to declare war just yet. The Senate, as a result of this undeclared shooting war, ended up repealing the ban against arming merchant ships.
5. How was oil a source of conflict between Japan and the United States?
Oil was a source of conflict between Japan and the United States because Japan needed it to fuel its war machine but the United States had cut off oil trade with Japan because Japan was becoming more aggressive and taking over French military bases.
6. What problem would the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor solve for Roosevelt? What new problems would it create?
The problem the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor solved for Roosevelt was his struggle to get full support of his country in declaring war, the attack gave him a perfect reason to do so. But, the attack did have brutal damage on the U.S.'s Pacific navy, and the United States was being attacked on both fronts now. Roosevelt had to face this challenge, with both naval losses and a now distraught country.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Dictators Threaten World Peace
1. Why did the new democracies set up after World War I fail? (And yes, I am aware the answer is in the reading so make sure your answer is in your own words.)
The new democracies set up after World War I failed because democracy wasn't something that had been that common, and so countries didn't really know how to go about it: lack of "democratic tradition". So in order to solve their problems, countries looked to authoritarian figures instead. Thus, the attempted democracies failed and dictators arose.
2. What are the characteristics of a totalitarian state?
The characteristics of a totalitarian state are: has government that completely controls the citizens, individuals have no rights, and the government quells all opposition.
3. What factors led to the rise of Fascism in Italy?
The factors that led to the rise of Fascism in Italy are: inflation and unemployment caused strikes, the demands of middle and upper classes for leadership, and Mussolini's support won by his persuasiveness based on the public's worries for their economy and government.
4. What were the key ideas and goals that Hitler presented in Mein Kampf ?
The key ideas and goals that Hitler presented in Mein Kampf are: the main beliefs of nazism, racial purification, and national expansion.
5. Why did Japan invade Manchuria?
Japan invaded Manchuria because they desired more living space for their increasing population.
6. What foreign countries were involved in the Spanish Civil War?
The foreign countries that were involved in the Spanish Civil War were Germany, Italy, Ethiopia (African Americans angry about Mussolini's invasion of Ethiopia), America (Abraham Lincoln Battalion), and the Soviet Union.
7. What factors contributed to America's growing isolationism?
An onslaught of books accusing bankers and arms dealers of bringing the U.S. into WWI was a large factor of isolationism in America. People began to become very antiwar, believing that it was just for the benefit of these "merchants of death". Roosevelt's "Quarantine Speech" also caused much protest, as some people believed Roosevelt was trying to drag them into another war.
The new democracies set up after World War I failed because democracy wasn't something that had been that common, and so countries didn't really know how to go about it: lack of "democratic tradition". So in order to solve their problems, countries looked to authoritarian figures instead. Thus, the attempted democracies failed and dictators arose.
2. What are the characteristics of a totalitarian state?
The characteristics of a totalitarian state are: has government that completely controls the citizens, individuals have no rights, and the government quells all opposition.
3. What factors led to the rise of Fascism in Italy?
The factors that led to the rise of Fascism in Italy are: inflation and unemployment caused strikes, the demands of middle and upper classes for leadership, and Mussolini's support won by his persuasiveness based on the public's worries for their economy and government.
4. What were the key ideas and goals that Hitler presented in Mein Kampf ?
The key ideas and goals that Hitler presented in Mein Kampf are: the main beliefs of nazism, racial purification, and national expansion.
5. Why did Japan invade Manchuria?
Japan invaded Manchuria because they desired more living space for their increasing population.
6. What foreign countries were involved in the Spanish Civil War?
The foreign countries that were involved in the Spanish Civil War were Germany, Italy, Ethiopia (African Americans angry about Mussolini's invasion of Ethiopia), America (Abraham Lincoln Battalion), and the Soviet Union.
7. What factors contributed to America's growing isolationism?
An onslaught of books accusing bankers and arms dealers of bringing the U.S. into WWI was a large factor of isolationism in America. People began to become very antiwar, believing that it was just for the benefit of these "merchants of death". Roosevelt's "Quarantine Speech" also caused much protest, as some people believed Roosevelt was trying to drag them into another war.
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