Truman: Drop the Atomic Bomb or Invade Japan (1945)
by Anonymous
With Japan refusing to surrender, Truman faced a stark choice: use the new atomic bomb, launch a conventional invasion (estimated 500,000+ Allied casualties), or continue the blockade and firebombing campaign.
Drop the Atomic Bomb
1945
year
100,000-200,000 immediate
estimated casualties
Days
time to end war
Chosen — Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan surrendered
outcome
Operation Downfall (Invasion)
1945
year
500,000-1,000,000 Allied; millions Japanese
estimated casualties
Months to years
time to end war
Not chosen — planned for November 1945
outcome
Continued Blockade and Bombing
1945
year
Ongoing mass starvation and firebombing
estimated casualties
Unknown — Japan showed no signs of surrender
time to end war
Not chosen alone
outcome
Negotiate Conditional Surrender
1945
year
Minimal
estimated casualties
Uncertain
time to end war
Rejected — Allies demanded unconditional surrender
outcome
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