Works Cited
Anderson, Duncan. “Nuclear Power: The End of the War against Japan.” BBC History. N.p., 17
Feb. 2011. Web. 4 Apr. 2015.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/nuclear_01.shtml#top>. This article,
written by Professor Duncan Anderson, reviews the criticism surrounding the decision to
drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and provides a counter argument
ultimately defending the attacks. To support his defense to the critics, Anderson supplies
data and analyses gathered throughout recent years by himself and other modern
historians. The information offered in this article specifically relates to the first and
second body paragraphs of my paper, which will speak about the atomic bomb saving
lives and creating a prompt end to the war. Material in this article is not limited to
research gathered by American historians, but includes insight from Japanese historians
as well. Unique details regarding Japan’s ammunition, such as the “8,000 Kamikaze
aircrafts, hundreds of explosive-packed suicide boats, and over two million wellequipped regular soldiers, backed by a huge citizen’s militia” are just a few of the useful
facts that can be incorporated into my paper. The validity of the information provided in
this article is justified by Professor Duncan Anderson’s background as a historian. He
joined the War Studies Department at Sandhurst as a senior lecturer in 1987 and has been
the Head of Department since 1997. Anderson has worked for the British Army and other
NATO forces in Germany, lecturing and conducting staff tours. He has also written
several books on World War Two including, The Eastern Front and The Fall of the
Reich.
“Atomic Diplomacy.” Office of the Historian. United States Department of State, n.d. Web. 6
Apr. 2015. <https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/atomic>. This source focuses
on the relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union before and after the
atomic bomb was dropped on Japan. The article highlights how the creation of the atomic
bomb changed relations between the two nations, and how the United States ultimately
saved other nations from Soviet rule through the attack. In comparison to my other
sources, this one is more centered on the long term effects of the atomic bomb rather than
the short term benefits of saving lives and ending the war. Information included on this
webpage will be beneficial to the third body paragraph of my essay. Examples are
provided as to how the bomb gave the United States confidence and power, saving
Western Europe from turning to the Soviet Union for help. Although the United States’
creation and use of the atomic bomb progressed the need for nuclear weapons, leading to
the Cold War, many nations were still saved from the spread of communism by the
Soviets and atomic weapons were never actually put to use. The Office of the Historian is
staffed by professional historians who are experts in the history of U.S. foreign policy
and the Department of State. The historians work closely with other federal government
history offices, the academic historical community, and specialists across the globe. The
Office is directed by Dr. Stephen Randolph, The Historian of the U.S. Department of
State, making this a credible and reliable source.
Burnham, Alexander. “Okinawa, Harry Truman, and the Atomic Bomb.” Virginia Quarterly
Review 1 July 1995: n. pag. Print. “Okinawa, Harry Truman, and the Atomic Bomb”
reviews, through a first hand account, what it was like to be a soldier during the time
leading up to the bombing of Okinawa and Nagasaki. The article covers the events that
occurred before the bombing, Truman’s decision process, and information surrounding
the controversy after the attack. Throughout this source, quotes are used from various
credible sources, ranging from Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson and President Truman
himself, to modern historians. Sections one through three of this article are mainly
focused on what was happening during the war: the lives lost and the emotional and
physical toll it had on the soldiers. Excerpts from those sections will be most useful in my
introduction paragraph because they will help set the scene and inform the reader of the
circumstances before the bomb was dropped. Data and Burnham’s argument supporting
the atomic bomb from the fourth and fifth section can be used in bodies one and two of
my paper. The quotes provided in these sections made by important military figures, such
as General George C. Marshall, will support my argument by showing prominent men
who agreed with the use of the bomb; this is unique aspect of this source that is not
included in the other articles or websites I have gathered. The Virginia Quarterly Review
is a credible periodical that has compiled a variety of works since 1925 from some of the
countries best known writers, a few of them being Eleanor Roosevelt, Robert Frost, and
Bertrand Russel. Before being published in the Virginia Quarterly Review, Alexander
Burnham was a writer and editor for the New York Times.
“A Warning to Japan Urging Surrender.” PBS. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Apr. 2015.
<http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/primary-resources/trumanjapanwarn/>. This is a primary source that contains excerpts from President Truman’s
radio address, warning Japan to surrender, to the American people on August 9th, 1945.
President Truman explains to the American people the reasoning behind the use of the
atomic bomb, and terms of surrender given to the Japanese. Truman’s address to the
citizens of the United States reveals that the bomb was the only way to stop the war;
Japan had ignored all previous warnings to surrender and was still fighting after
Hiroshima, making the second bomb necessary. Truman states that the sole intention of
the bomb was not to take lives, but to simply “destroy Japan’s power to make war”. In his
speech he also points out the importance of the atomic bomb being in the hands of the
United States before any other nation. This radio address connects to my first body
paragraph because it reveals Truman’s ultimate intention of the bomb, which was to end
World War Two. The source is credible because the words were taken directly from
President Truman.