Controversies of World War II

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Bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, remains in the history of the United States of America. Numerous studies and investigations have been done in order to ascertain whether Franklin Roosevelt had information on the attack or not. After many decades since the incident occurred, questions on why and how America was caught unprepared still exist (Hanson 236).

Roosevelt and some high officers in the government could have been aware of the attack. United States Intelligence managed to decode information from radio broadcasts, which were used by the Japanese in their plan to attack Pearl Harbor (Jacobsen 695). The messages were sent to Washington. However, Roosevelt kept the messages to himself. In addition, United States intelligence was able to arrest the spy used by Japan to provide information regarding Pearl Harbor.

The spy informed Japan on exact geographical grids of the Harbor. The Intelligence informed Roosevelt, but he might have not shared the information with others in Washington (Jacobsen 695). It is believed that Roosevelt wanted to engage Japan in war and the only way to achieve this was by allowing Japan to attack the Harbor. It is argued that there was no reason which could have allowed the United States of America to participate in war.

In addition, Britain and Netherlands were aware of the attack by Japan on the harbor. The Intelligence of these nations might have informed Roosevelt because they had an alliance with United States of America (Hanson 237). Therefore, it can be concluded that, Roosevelt knew about the attack and he allowed it to happen so that his country can be involved in the war.

A memo written from Naval Intelligence Office outlined 8 actions to be done which by the government States of America. It is believed, Roosevelt began implementing the steps in the memo and by the time Japan attacked Pearl Harbor all 8 steps had taken place.

The two main areas of the memo were; manning the trade and economy of Japan and preparedness of the military men because there were signs of an attack (Bratzel1343). It is believed that Roosevelt knew about the attack because he began preparing for war by joining hands with Britain to acquire supplies and use of military services from Indonesia and Singapore.

It is also believed that Roosevelt personally deployed a division made of heavy cruisers. He also deployed two other divisions of submarines. Roosevelt said that he was setting up the divisions to keep Japan guessing (Bratzel1343). Moreover, lack of military services and geographical location of Pearl Harbor, made it more vulnerable.

Commander in chief, Richardson, informed Roosevelt on the issue of lack of military services in the harbor (Bratzel1343). It is believed there was a confrontation between Roosevelt and Richardson and the latter one ended up loosing his job four months later. Husband Kimmel replaced Richardson and is believed to have been manipulated by Roosevelt to a point of overlooking dangers of the attack.

Manning the economy and trade of Japan was important for Roosevelt. He wanted Japanese to be denied their oil demands from Dutch. All these actions by Roosevelt show that he was aware of the attack. However, in order to be involved in the war, he had to let Japan attack the Harbor.

Lately, Toland was unable to find the evidence on the steps the federal government took (Bratzel1343). He believes the records could damage the image of some officials in United States of America and that could be the reason the documents are missing.

At the end of the Second World War, President Truman used atomic bombs on Japan. The reasons for his decision have been debated for years. Critics believe that, Truman used atomic bombs on Japan in order to intimidate Soviet Union.

However, Winston Churchill argued that, the bomb was dropped in order to bring to an end the war (Giangreco 602). He believed it was the only way to bring peace in the world. Truman argued that, the bombs were dropped to prevent further loss of lives; both Americans and Japanese. He also argued that, dropping the bombs was the only way to ensure peace prevails.

However, some historians argue that, the bombs were dropped to create a certain impression to soviets and make them loose their grip on the eastern part of Europe. At this time, there was a scramble on being the world super power. It is argued that, when the bombs were dropped, Stalin was furious because the title of being world power after defeating Japan was taken away by United States of America (Giangreco 602).

Somehow, the bomb was a show of an exceptional possession that Soviet Union did not posses. Moreover, in order to protect his feelings, Stalin pretended that there was no impression created by Truman. Dropping of the bombs played a political role more than just saving lives (Giangreco 602).

Some historians argue that, close to half a million lives of Americans were saved when the bomb was dropped. The argument is based on the plan of invasion which was to be made on Japan. In order to stop the invasion, the bombs were dropped. As a result, it is claimed that the bombs were used to save lives and end the agony caused by the war (Alperovitz 408).

The bomb had adverse effects, but according to Truman, it was the only way to bring peace. However, some historians claim that, the dropping of bombs had little to do with world peace and saving of lives (Alperovitz 408).They claim that, United States of America overlooked the fact that Japan had surrendered.

Already Japan was seeking peace, which meant that there was a great possibility of war coming to an end. However, some historians argue in support the Truman’s actions. They argue that, Japanese had not agreed on the issue of surrender; somehow they were divided and war could have continued (Giangreco 603).

Cold war emerged at the end of the Second World War which was characterized by exchange of words. The exchange was characterized by frustration, passion and hatred. So far, no research has been done to show the invasion plans which led to dropping of the bombs.

Also, revisionists argue that, Soviet Union did not intend to use bombs as weapons in the war (Giangreco 602). Moreover, the use of atomic has not been justified even by those who experienced the war and do not believe that dropping of atomic bombs saved their lives. Most of the American families believe that the atomic bombs attack was unnecessary and cruel (Alperovitz 408).

In conclusion, great percentage of historians believes that, Roosevelt was aware of the attack on Pearl Harbor. His desire to be involved in the Second World War, made him allow the attack by Japan. In addition, until today the issue still remains controversial. Also, controversies regarding the dropping of bombs prevail with traditionalist historians supporting the act while the revisionists rebuking the act.

Works Cited

Alperovitz, Gar. “Dropping the Atomic Bomb Was Neither Necessary Nor Justifiable.”Major problems in the history of World War II: documents and essays 2003: 408. Print.

Bratzel, Joel. “Pearl Harbor, Microdots, and J. Edgar Hoover.”The American Historical Review 1982: 1342-1351. Print.

Giangreco, Dominic. “Operation Downfall: The Devil Was in the Details.” Technical Report 1995: 600-603. Print.

Hanson, Victor. Carnage and Culture: Landmark battles in the rise of Western power. New York: First Anchor books, 2002. Print.

Jacobsen, Paul. “Radio Silence and Radio Deception: Secrecy Insurance for the Pearl Harbor Strike Force.”Intelligence & National Security 2004: 695-718. Print.

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Controversies of World War II

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