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
Like this comparison? Make it your own.
Sign up to use as templateMore in History
Lewis and Clark: Northern vs Southern Route (1805)
Lemhi Pass (Northern Route) vs Direct Western Crossing
Nuremberg Trials: Prosecute or Amnesty (1945)
International Criminal Trials vs Summary Execution (Morgenthau's Preference) vs General Amnesty
Florence: Medici Banking Innovation (1397)
Financial Innovation (Bills of Exchange) vs Traditional Lending
Bretton Woods: Dollar Standard vs Bancor (1944)
Dollar as Reserve Currency vs Bancor (International Currency)
Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott Strategy (1955)
Economic Boycott vs Legal Challenge Only vs Violent Resistance
Vaccination Mandate: Smallpox (Massachusetts, 1809)
Mandatory Vaccination vs Voluntary Vaccination