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
Haitian Revolution: Full Independence vs Autonomy (1804)
Full Independence vs Autonomy Under France
VHS vs Betamax (1975-1988)
VHS (JVC) vs Betamax (Sony)
Charlemagne's Coronation: Emperor or King (800 CE)
Accept Imperial Crown vs Remain King of the Franks
TCP/IP vs OSI: Internet Protocol Standard (1980s)
TCP/IP vs OSI Model
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