The decision made by President Truman described in the passage is cancelling an amphibious invasion in Japan in favor of atomic warfare. The excerpt indicates that the high costs and expected loss of life involved in invading the Japanese mainland influenced Truman's decision-making process, leading to the consideration of using atomic weapons instead.
Use the excerpt to answer the question.
“Okinawa and Iwo Jima . . . had rattled the President and joint chiefs of staff. They could see how costly it would be to invade the mainland. Truman knew [they] would lose planes and ships and men—and all the Japanese. The enemy leaders had said they would all die fighting. The island would just be a charred cinder. That did push the decision.”
—Joseph Wheelan Bloody Okinawa: The Last Great Battle of World War II, 2021
What decision made by President Truman after the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa does Wheelan describe in this passage?
(1 point)
Responses
abandoning the Manhattan Project in favor of Operation Downfall
abandoning the Manhattan Project in favor of Operation Downfall
continuing the island-hopping strategy to reach the Japanese homeland
continuing the island-hopping strategy to reach the Japanese homeland
cancelling an amphibious invasion in Japan in favor of atomic warfare
cancelling an amphibious invasion in Japan in favor of atomic warfare
withdrawing U.S. forces from Okinawa and Iwo Jima after suffering heavy losses
1 answer
1 answer