Question

Now, using the information you have learned, write your letter to the president.

Start your letter by typing “Dear President Truman” in the space to the right. Then, in your first paragraph, state who you are and why you are writing.

Next, state what your position is on dropping the bomb and provide one reason that supports it. Then provide a second reason.

Answer 1

Dear President Truman,

My name is [Your Name]; I am a concerned American citizen writing to express my view on the decision to use the atomic bomb against Japan. I write because this momentous choice affects our nation’s moral standing, the lives of thousands of civilians, and the future course of international relations.

I oppose the decision to drop the atomic bombs. First, the bombs caused enormous civilian suffering and loss of life on a scale that cannot be justified. Hiroshima and Nagasaki were largely populated by noncombatants; the immediate blast, firestorms, and lingering radiation produced catastrophic human and humanitarian consequences that went far beyond a military target. Using such a weapon sets a dangerous moral precedent for accepting civilian annihilation as an instrument of policy.

Second, there were credible alternatives and long-term consequences that make the decision problematic. Japan was already severely weakened by blockade, conventional bombing, and the Soviet entry into the war, and some evidence indicates surrender might have been achievable without nuclear use. Moreover, the introduction of atomic weapons unleashed an arms race and created lasting health and environmental harms from radiation—consequences that persisted for decades and increased global insecurity.

I urge you, as President, to consider how future decisions can prioritize minimizing civilian harm and pursuing alternatives that protect both security and humanity.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]