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Quote Explanation
On July 16, 1945, the first atomic explosion marked the arrival of the atomic era. Overwhelmed by dread and awe, William L. Laurence, a New York Times reporter, described the event as “the grand finale of a mighty symphony of the elements” (as cited in Thorpe 161). The enormous power of the bomb aroused in him almost religious feelings. However, that symphony was not part of an act of creation, revealing divine beauty; rather, it was an apocalyptic event bringing total annihilation. J. Robert Oppenheimer, director of the Manhattan Project, expressed his fascination at the ruinous and awful power of the explosion by paraphrasing a passage from the sacred Hindu text, Bhagavad Gita: “I Become Death, the Shatterer of Worlds” (as cited in Beal 159).
Witnessing the devastating, almost demonic power of the atomic bomb and feeling himself a part of it, Oppenheimer in his quote seems to be calling for moral responsibility. His poetic invocation expresses the dire meaning of humanity’s new weapon, its otherworldly nature, and its significance. It is as if a sense of guilt replaces the scientific curiosity that animated him throughout the entire project. Personalizing the devastating power of the atomic bomb, Oppenheimer makes an attempt at taking moral responsibility for its consequences for humanity.
President Truman’s Decision
President Truman’s decision to use the atomic bomb on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was a decision of unprecedented complexity and gravity and, without a doubt, the most difficult decision of his life. The assessment of several committees that were considering the possibility of achieving a victory by a sudden and devastating strike, the expectations of the American people, and a deteriorating relationship with the Soviet Union defined his perspective on the issue (Hamby par. 4).
There were numerous objections against the use of an atomic weapon in 1945. The main counterarguments stated that it was racist to bomb only Japan, that it would not help the war effort, and, most importantly, that it was an effort to make a political statement designed to resonate with the Soviet Union, which was another threat at the time. Those who were in favor of Truman’s decision believed that the number of U.S. casualties if there were an invasion of Japan without a preceding atomic strike, might reach one million combatants (Hamby par.6). It was also estimated that a four-month invasion would result in the death of almost three million Japanese (Skates 79).
Personal Opinion
If I were living in 1945, I would, most likely, support President Truman’s decision and go along with public opinion, which showed overwhelming support for the use of atomic weapons against the Japanese. In light of arguments presented to the American people, it seemed like a clear-cut issue and I, along with the majority of the voting public, would not question the wisdom of the president. On the contrary, the use of atomic weapons as a means to immediately destroy the remaining ally of Germany would seem to be a foregone conclusion.
As a student in 2016, I’m not advocating the decision to attack Japan with atomic weapons. I understand that the dazzling flash from the explosion over Hiroshima ushered in a new and terrifying era in world history—the era of nuclear weapons. It seems to me that, taking into consideration the grave consequences of the atomic strike and the ensuing Cold War, President Truman could have vetoed the use of the atomic bomb. However, in the words of historian David McCullough, “People living back then didn’t know they were living back then” (61).
References
Beal, Timothy K. Religion and Its Monsters. New York: Routledge, 2002. Print.
Hamby, Alonzo L. “The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb.”Encyclopedia Britannica. 11th ed. 2015. Atomic Bomb. Web.
McCullough, David G. Truman. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1992. Print.
Skates, John R. The Invasion of Japan: Alternative to the Bomb. Carolina: University of South Carolina Press, 2000. Print.
Thorpe, Charles. Oppenheimer. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2006. Print.
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