Question

Which of the following arguments decided the debate over using the atomic bomb against Japan in 1945?
Using the bomb would destroy the armaments still available to Japanese forces in Japan.
Using the bomb would demonstrate the power of the United States to the entire world.
Using the bomb would shorten the war and avoid heavy casualties among invading troops.
Using the bomb would enable Allied forces to invade and take over the Japanese mainland.

Answer 1

Using the bomb would shorten the war and avoid heavy casualties among invading troops.

The primary rationale given by U.S. leaders in 1945 was that atomic strikes would force Japan to surrender quickly and spare the enormous Allied (and Japanese) losses expected from a planned invasion of the home islands.