1. Who was Harry S. Truman's Secretary of War?
Henry L. Stimson.
2. Who was Truman's Chief of Staff?
Admiral William D. Leahy
3. Why did Truman believe nuclear bombs needed to be used?
He believed it was the only way that America could get Japan to unconditionally surrender
4. Why did Admiral Leahy believe nuclear bombs didn't need to be used?
He said that they had already effectively won with conventional bombing and a successful blockade.
5. Why did Supreme Allied Commander and future president Dwight D. Eisenhower believe they didn't need to be used?
He too believed that Japan at this point was pretty much defeated.
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?
That since so much money had been spent on making the bomb Truman just wanted to use it so it wouldn't be a waste.
7. Key critics of Truman's use of the bomb weren't on the "historical fringe," but were who?
His chief of staff, Admiral Leahy, and his secretary of war, Stimson.
8. Truman began to soften on his stance for unconditional surrender but something occurred that changed his mind for good. What was that?
The successful Trinity test of the bomb.
9. Besides defeating Japan what was Truman's other possible motivation for using the nuclear bombs on Japan?
Showing the Soviet Union that we were very powerful.
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.
The Japanese would surely surrender.
11. The four-power surrender ultimatum to be presented to Japan was to be written and decided upon where?
Postdam conference, July 1945.
12. What did the Washington Post editorialize about "unconditional surrender"?
It was never a good idea in the first place.
13. What is the significance of Paragraph 12 in the draft copy of the Potsdam Proclamation prior to Truman setting sail on the USSAugusta? (More detail is needed for this question)
Paragraph 12 made it clear to the Japanese people that their emperor would still be safe. It also was more on the side of conditional surrender and the softening that Truman's advisers had suggested. The language used put the power to end the war in Japanese hands, giving them the power to stop the killing.
14. What changed when the Proclamation was publicly announced on July 26?
The portion regarding a constitutional monarchy with the present dynasty is removed.
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)
The successful testing of the Trinity bomb was a large reason for the changing of the word. An uncertain test suddenly became a powerful weapon of war for Truman. He was now certain he could make the Japanese surrender. He also didn't want to seem soft to the Soviet Union since he knew he would have to deal with them after the war, and being merciless with Japan would show Stalin that he wasn't afraid.
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?
Truman learns from Churchill that the Japanese were planning to surrender, and nevertheless decides to use the bomb. The author suggests this shows that he had decided to use it regardless of what happened.
17. What does his caption on the back of the photo of Stalin and Truman suggest about the use of the bomb?
It might be used by Truman almost as bragging rights over Stalin.
18. "From a foreign policy perspective" what two accomplishments were made by dropping the bomb?
Ending the war with Japan and being the first to "attack" in the Cold War against the Soviet Union.
19. To give credit to Truman, why didn't he know what FDR's intentions were with the bomb?
Before becoming president he was kept in total secrecy, and really no one knew what FDR's intention was in regards to the atomic bomb.
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?
This discrepancy was used to help Truman give the American public a bigger reason to support the bombing. He knew that if that many American lives were at stake no one would publicly disagree with it.
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?
President Truman's decision to drop the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was justified in the context of the Cold War but not World War II. This means that the reasoning that it was justified because there was no other way to make Japan surrender is not correct. The emperor of Japan was planning to surrender by the time that Truman decided to drop the bomb. However, if Truman had not dropped the bomb, we would not have asserted our power over the Soviet Union to set the stage for the Cold War. Hence, it was the right decision for the Cold War.
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?
2. Would they agree with Stalin’s views expressed in Sources 17 and 18? Explain your answer.
No, Stalin expresses rather anti-U.S.A. and Great Britain sentiments in source 18. The tone sounds almost annoyed at the two countries for interfering, as he thinks he didn't interfere with Greece. He believes they should return the favor. I believe Churchill and Roosevelt would think that Stalin was thinking of mounting a conquest of all of Europe through Poland, where as Greece was crucial for Great Britain's security. I think they would agree to some extent with source 17. Although they would not think it was the ideal method of imposing ideology, I think the two leaders would acknowledge that a large army certainly helps.
3. Explain how each of the three developments described in the text might affect relationships at Potsdam.
The fact that Stalin was keeping his troops in eastern Europe was very threatening to the other leaders at the conference. Although he claimed it was to prevent further attacks, the war in Europe was over, so naturally the leaders were dubious. Truman's anti-communist tendencies certainly didn't help Stalin's image in his eyes either. Truman, with the newfound power of the atomic bomb under his belt, felt like he could genuinely go toe to toe with Stalin if need be. The three developments probably made for a tense conference.
No, I think the "sphere of influence" that Churchill and Roosevelt had in mind was much less militarily oriented. Based on Source 17, Stalin planned on keeping a firm grip on these nations with his powerful troops. Churchill and Roosevelt merely agreed to let him set up governments there, essentially Communist puppet governments. The fact that he felt the need to control them with his army as well shows some distrust he felt for the other two leaders.
2. Would they agree with Stalin’s views expressed in Sources 17 and 18? Explain your answer.
No, Stalin expresses rather anti-U.S.A. and Great Britain sentiments in source 18. The tone sounds almost annoyed at the two countries for interfering, as he thinks he didn't interfere with Greece. He believes they should return the favor. I believe Churchill and Roosevelt would think that Stalin was thinking of mounting a conquest of all of Europe through Poland, where as Greece was crucial for Great Britain's security. I think they would agree to some extent with source 17. Although they would not think it was the ideal method of imposing ideology, I think the two leaders would acknowledge that a large army certainly helps.
3. Explain how each of the three developments described in the text might affect relationships at Potsdam.
The fact that Stalin was keeping his troops in eastern Europe was very threatening to the other leaders at the conference. Although he claimed it was to prevent further attacks, the war in Europe was over, so naturally the leaders were dubious. Truman's anti-communist tendencies certainly didn't help Stalin's image in his eyes either. Truman, with the newfound power of the atomic bomb under his belt, felt like he could genuinely go toe to toe with Stalin if need be. The three developments probably made for a tense conference.
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: 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 agreement allowed for democracy to spread in Europe. It also helped to prevent the Soviets from implementing Communist puppet governments. If this agreement had not been reached, the Communists would have tried to keep more of Eastern Europe than they did.
Second Point: The Big Three agreed to join the United Nations. These three leaders were the most powerful leaders in the world, therefore all three joining an organization made for keeping the peace was influential. Without these three nations the United Nations would not have enough power to actually maintain peace.
2. Read Sources 2 - 11 on pages 320 and 321. What is your overall impression of the Yalta Conference based on these sources?
Based on these sources, I think the Yalta Conference was based on deception on all fronts. Stalin knew that Churchill and Roosevelt were anti-communist and distrusted their intentions. Roosevelt and Churchill distrusted Stalin because he was such a powerful and influential force in Eastern Europe. However, all three knew that for the sake of the world, it was necessary to put up a front of there being absolutely no disagreement between them to show everyone that the world powers were strong and united.
First Point: 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 agreement allowed for democracy to spread in Europe. It also helped to prevent the Soviets from implementing Communist puppet governments. If this agreement had not been reached, the Communists would have tried to keep more of Eastern Europe than they did.
Second Point: The Big Three agreed to join the United Nations. These three leaders were the most powerful leaders in the world, therefore all three joining an organization made for keeping the peace was influential. Without these three nations the United Nations would not have enough power to actually maintain peace.
2. Read Sources 2 - 11 on pages 320 and 321. What is your overall impression of the Yalta Conference based on these sources?
Based on these sources, I think the Yalta Conference was based on deception on all fronts. Stalin knew that Churchill and Roosevelt were anti-communist and distrusted their intentions. Roosevelt and Churchill distrusted Stalin because he was such a powerful and influential force in Eastern Europe. However, all three knew that for the sake of the world, it was necessary to put up a front of there being absolutely no disagreement between them to show everyone that the world powers were strong and united.
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?
Based on the Germany and the axis powers' aggressive acts in Europe, the U.S.A. wanted to support the Allies in any way possible while still keeping their neutral position. With this idea in mind, Roosevelt was able to pass the "cash and carry" provision in the Neutrality Act so that the United States was still able to give weapons to the Allies without being part of the war officially. America also boosted its defense spending as Germany and the Axis powers became more and more aggressive in case they made an attack on the United States.
2. Why did Roosevelt take one “unneutral” step after another to assist Britain and the Soviet Union in 1941?
Roosevelt chose to support Britain and the Soviet Union because he wanted to help end the war quickly before America had to get involved. He wanted to take steps that would please the isolationist but also help win the war, which is why these steps were "unneutral" as opposed to acts of war. Roosevelt also considered Hitler an enemy of democracy, so he chose to support anyone who stood against him, including Stalin.
3. Why was the Atlantic Charter important?
The Atlantic Charter was essentially the beginning of the U.S. entering the war. The charter was an agreement between Churchill and Roosevelt essentially saying that the two countries would support each other during wartime. This Charter also led to the Declaration of the United Nations, led 26 countries to officially claim their opposition to the Axis powers.
4. Why did the United States enter into an undeclared shooting war with Germany in fall 1941?
The U.S. entered into a shooting war against Germany in 1941 because the U-Boats were attacking American Navy and merchant ships. With each attack they were killing more and more people until Roosevelt had no choice but to instruct the Navy to shoot U-Boats on sight. Eventually the senate came around and allowed Merchant ships to be armed as well.
5. How was oil a source of conflict between Japan and the United States?
With Britain busy fighting against Germany, Japan decided to expand its lands into southeast Asia where there were unprotected British colonial lands. The U.S. had to find a non-war method of fighting against this newfound aggression, so they used an embargo on supplies. The most important supply being cut off was oil, and this angered the Japanese. They needed oil for their war machines, so they would either forcefully make the U.S. stop the embargo or seize more land which was oil-bearing.
6. What problem would the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor solve for Roosevelt? What new problems would it create?
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor solved the problem of the increasingly popular idea of isolationism in America. With this very obvious attack from an Axis power, Roosevelt finally had good reason to declare war, and reason that the senate would support. However, since Japan made the first attack, it was clear that Roosevelt had to fight in both Europe and the Pacific. In order to do so he needed a larger Navy and Air Force and more infantry for the land battles in Europe.
Based on the Germany and the axis powers' aggressive acts in Europe, the U.S.A. wanted to support the Allies in any way possible while still keeping their neutral position. With this idea in mind, Roosevelt was able to pass the "cash and carry" provision in the Neutrality Act so that the United States was still able to give weapons to the Allies without being part of the war officially. America also boosted its defense spending as Germany and the Axis powers became more and more aggressive in case they made an attack on the United States.
2. Why did Roosevelt take one “unneutral” step after another to assist Britain and the Soviet Union in 1941?
Roosevelt chose to support Britain and the Soviet Union because he wanted to help end the war quickly before America had to get involved. He wanted to take steps that would please the isolationist but also help win the war, which is why these steps were "unneutral" as opposed to acts of war. Roosevelt also considered Hitler an enemy of democracy, so he chose to support anyone who stood against him, including Stalin.
3. Why was the Atlantic Charter important?
The Atlantic Charter was essentially the beginning of the U.S. entering the war. The charter was an agreement between Churchill and Roosevelt essentially saying that the two countries would support each other during wartime. This Charter also led to the Declaration of the United Nations, led 26 countries to officially claim their opposition to the Axis powers.
The U.S. entered into a shooting war against Germany in 1941 because the U-Boats were attacking American Navy and merchant ships. With each attack they were killing more and more people until Roosevelt had no choice but to instruct the Navy to shoot U-Boats on sight. Eventually the senate came around and allowed Merchant ships to be armed as well.
5. How was oil a source of conflict between Japan and the United States?
With Britain busy fighting against Germany, Japan decided to expand its lands into southeast Asia where there were unprotected British colonial lands. The U.S. had to find a non-war method of fighting against this newfound aggression, so they used an embargo on supplies. The most important supply being cut off was oil, and this angered the Japanese. They needed oil for their war machines, so they would either forcefully make the U.S. stop the embargo or seize more land which was oil-bearing.
6. What problem would the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor solve for Roosevelt? What new problems would it create?
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor solved the problem of the increasingly popular idea of isolationism in America. With this very obvious attack from an Axis power, Roosevelt finally had good reason to declare war, and reason that the senate would support. However, since Japan made the first attack, it was clear that Roosevelt had to fight in both Europe and the Pacific. In order to do so he needed a larger Navy and Air Force and more infantry for the land battles in Europe.
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 for several reasons. The biggest was a lack of any desire to have a democratic government from the people, as they were not used to it. A democratic government is made to be run by the people, so when the people are not willing to have it it is doomed for failure. Power hungry dictators capitalized on this situation and aided in the collapse of the democracies so they could take control.
2. What are the characteristics of a totalitarian state?
A totalitarian state means that the government has total control over the people in the nation. This allows the government to get rid of all the people that disagree with their views. The government controls every aspect of everyone’s lives. As a result, no one has privacy or many other basic civil rights that other forms of government have.
3. What factors led to the rise of Fascism in Italy?
The economic depression was affecting Italy in the form of huge labor strikes led by Communists. The people who still had jobs felt unsafe in this environment, so Benito Mussolini stepped up as a leader to keep them “safe”. To try and calm the disgruntled public, he stressed one of the staple ideas of Fascism: extreme nationalism. He tried to bring them together as one country, serving the state rather than themselves. Under Fascism, serving the state essentially meant serving the small group of leaders, at the top of which was Mussolini himself.
4. What were the key ideas and goals that Hitler presented in Mein Kampf ?
Hitler presented the idea of extreme nationalism for all German speaking peoples in Mein Kampf. This book was also where Hitler first proposed his ideas about the Aryan race being fit to rule all others, the very ideas that were the basis of the Final Solution. As part of the nationalistic idea was also the idea of giving more land to the German people fit to live in the empire, more “living space.” He believed German speaking peoples were entitled to the entire world.
5. Why did Japan invade Manchuria?
Japan invaded Manchuria because the militarist taking power held similar beliefs about Japan that Hitler held for Germany. They wanted and believed they deserved more land to live in, as they were superior. Manchuria was close and not very well guarded part of China, so they launched a surprise attack.
6. What foreign countries were involved in the Spanish Civil War?
America was slightly involved in the Spanish Civil War, as some soldiers voluntarily went to fight against Francisco Franco in the Abraham Lincoln Battalion. Overall though, most western countries remained neutral. Italy and Germany, on the other hand, provided ammunition, tanks, and other supplies to Franco’s troops. The Soviet Union sent some aide to the opposition forces, but nothing to match what the Rome-Berlin Axis was doing.
7. What factors contributed to America's growing isolationism?
One of the largest factors contributing to the isolationism was the hindsight anger regarding how America got into World War I. Many Americans believed that the only reason thousands of American lives were lost was due to the bankers and businessman in the country who would profit off war, and they wanted no such part in it again. This isolationism manifested itself in such legislation as the Neutrality Acts, and the Good Neighbor Policy. Clearly congress and Roosevelt were responding to the antiwar feeling that spread across the nation.
The new democracies set up after World War I failed for several reasons. The biggest was a lack of any desire to have a democratic government from the people, as they were not used to it. A democratic government is made to be run by the people, so when the people are not willing to have it it is doomed for failure. Power hungry dictators capitalized on this situation and aided in the collapse of the democracies so they could take control.
2. What are the characteristics of a totalitarian state?
A totalitarian state means that the government has total control over the people in the nation. This allows the government to get rid of all the people that disagree with their views. The government controls every aspect of everyone’s lives. As a result, no one has privacy or many other basic civil rights that other forms of government have.
3. What factors led to the rise of Fascism in Italy?
The economic depression was affecting Italy in the form of huge labor strikes led by Communists. The people who still had jobs felt unsafe in this environment, so Benito Mussolini stepped up as a leader to keep them “safe”. To try and calm the disgruntled public, he stressed one of the staple ideas of Fascism: extreme nationalism. He tried to bring them together as one country, serving the state rather than themselves. Under Fascism, serving the state essentially meant serving the small group of leaders, at the top of which was Mussolini himself.
4. What were the key ideas and goals that Hitler presented in Mein Kampf ?
Hitler presented the idea of extreme nationalism for all German speaking peoples in Mein Kampf. This book was also where Hitler first proposed his ideas about the Aryan race being fit to rule all others, the very ideas that were the basis of the Final Solution. As part of the nationalistic idea was also the idea of giving more land to the German people fit to live in the empire, more “living space.” He believed German speaking peoples were entitled to the entire world.
5. Why did Japan invade Manchuria?
Japan invaded Manchuria because the militarist taking power held similar beliefs about Japan that Hitler held for Germany. They wanted and believed they deserved more land to live in, as they were superior. Manchuria was close and not very well guarded part of China, so they launched a surprise attack.
6. What foreign countries were involved in the Spanish Civil War?
America was slightly involved in the Spanish Civil War, as some soldiers voluntarily went to fight against Francisco Franco in the Abraham Lincoln Battalion. Overall though, most western countries remained neutral. Italy and Germany, on the other hand, provided ammunition, tanks, and other supplies to Franco’s troops. The Soviet Union sent some aide to the opposition forces, but nothing to match what the Rome-Berlin Axis was doing.
7. What factors contributed to America's growing isolationism?
One of the largest factors contributing to the isolationism was the hindsight anger regarding how America got into World War I. Many Americans believed that the only reason thousands of American lives were lost was due to the bankers and businessman in the country who would profit off war, and they wanted no such part in it again. This isolationism manifested itself in such legislation as the Neutrality Acts, and the Good Neighbor Policy. Clearly congress and Roosevelt were responding to the antiwar feeling that spread across the nation.
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