First, I trust the numerous first hand accounts of actual leaders of the time over this one historian acting like their memories aren’t great fifty years after the fact.
Second, the imminent Soviet invasion absolutely was a material factor. One of the reasons why the nukes were used were to end the war before the Soviets could invade so they couldn’t dictate any terms of surrender.
That historian is actually citing Japanese sources, which is more accurate than what the US leaders may have thought to be the case.
Hirohito actually used both the bombs as well as the Soviet invasion as justification to surrender. The civilian population was told it was due to the destructive power of the atomic bomb, the military were told they could not hold out against the Soviets.
It’s not unlikely that not dropping the bombs would have led to a Japanese surrender, but it would likely have delayed it by some time. The bombs contributed greatly to the emergency meetings of the Japanese war cabinet in which ultimately the emperor decided to surrender. But it was a multitude of factors; the emperor was for example also unconvinced that the defense of southern Japan would be ready in time for the invasion, as earlier timelines hadn’t been met. But he also said he did not want Japan and its innocent civilians destroyed due to further atomic bombs.
First, I trust the numerous first hand accounts of actual leaders of the time over this one historian acting like their memories aren’t great fifty years after the fact.
This may be shocking, but leaders often lie. Only Eisenhower’s memory was impugned in that statement. Sorry that contemporary accounts don’t back up their later politiking.
Second, the imminent Soviet invasion absolutely was a material factor.
Then why the fuck did you quote
Based on a detailed investigation of all the facts, and supported by the testimony of the surviving Japanese leaders involved, it is the Survey’s opinion that certainly prior to 31 December 1945, and in all probability prior to 1 November 1945, Japan would have surrendered even if the atomic bombs had not been dropped, even if Russia had not entered the war, and even if no invasion had been planned or contemplated. - US Government Strategic Bombing Survey, 1946
Ah. I checked your comment history. A campist bootlicker. I think we’re done here.
First, I trust the numerous first hand accounts of actual leaders of the time over this one historian acting like their memories aren’t great fifty years after the fact.
Second, the imminent Soviet invasion absolutely was a material factor. One of the reasons why the nukes were used were to end the war before the Soviets could invade so they couldn’t dictate any terms of surrender.
That historian is actually citing Japanese sources, which is more accurate than what the US leaders may have thought to be the case.
Hirohito actually used both the bombs as well as the Soviet invasion as justification to surrender. The civilian population was told it was due to the destructive power of the atomic bomb, the military were told they could not hold out against the Soviets.
It’s not unlikely that not dropping the bombs would have led to a Japanese surrender, but it would likely have delayed it by some time. The bombs contributed greatly to the emergency meetings of the Japanese war cabinet in which ultimately the emperor decided to surrender. But it was a multitude of factors; the emperor was for example also unconvinced that the defense of southern Japan would be ready in time for the invasion, as earlier timelines hadn’t been met. But he also said he did not want Japan and its innocent civilians destroyed due to further atomic bombs.
This may be shocking, but leaders often lie. Only Eisenhower’s memory was impugned in that statement. Sorry that contemporary accounts don’t back up their later politiking.
Then why the fuck did you quote
Ah. I checked your comment history. A campist bootlicker. I think we’re done here.
A material factor in the decision for the bombs to be dropped, not in the necessity for Japan to surrender. Those are two different things.