Which of the following is NOT a reason why the U.S. decided to use atomic bombs on populated cities instead of choosing other options? (1 point)(1 point)

Question

Responses

Bombing populated cities would punish Japan for war atrocities
Bombing populated cities would punish Japan for war atrocities

To avoid more loss of life on either side.
To avoid more loss of life on either side.

Truman wanted to end the war quickly.
Truman wanted to end the war quickly.

It was thought that bombing populated cities would bring a surrender from Japan the quickest.

Answer 1

The option that is NOT a reason why the U.S. decided to use atomic bombs on populated cities is:

To avoid more loss of life on either side.

In fact, the decision to use atomic bombs was largely motivated by the desire to end the war quickly and to bring about Japan's surrender, among other strategic reasons, rather than a focus on avoiding further loss of life.