Even before the bomb was tested, American officials began to debate how to use it.
Admiral William Leahy, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, opposed using the bomb
because it killed civilians indiscriminately. He believed that an economic blockade and
conventional bombing would convince Japan to surrender. Secretary of War Henry
Stimson wanted to warn the Japanese about the bomb while at the same time telling
them that they could keep the emperor if they surrendered. Secretary of State James
Byrnes, however, wanted to drop the bomb without any warning to shock Japan into
surrendering. President Truman later wrote that he “regarded the bomb as a military
weapon and never had any doubts that it should be used.” His advisers had warned him
to expect massive casualties if the United States invaded Japan.
Truman believed it was his duty as president to use every weapon available to save
American lives.

Questions:
1.) Based on the document, what are the two viewpoints on dropping the bomb?
2.) What decision did President Truman ultimately make and why?
3.) On August 6th, 1945, did the United States make a justified or unjustified decision in
dropping the bomb, based on this document? Why?