J. Robert Oppenheimer, the director of the Los Alamos Laboratory and the creator of the atomic bomb, famously quoted J. Robert Oppenheimer, “Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.” However, President Harry S Truman disagreed with Oppenheimer’s statement, and the debate surrounding the use of atomic bombs during World War II continues to this day. The approaching Hiroshima and Nagasaki anniversaries have reignited this eternal debate, as well as the release of the biopic “Oppenheimer.” Although I won’t provide any spoilers, I may address this film in the future. The tension between Truman and Oppenheimer was well-known, with Truman expressing his dislike for the physicist after a tense meeting in the Oval Office. Oppenheimer’s guilt was sincere, while Truman’s resentment stemmed from his concern for ending the war. However, it’s important to note that many others had blood on their hands during this period, including Michinomiya Hirohito. As the emperor of Japan, Hirohito was responsible for initiating the deadliest war in human history, resulting in the deaths of millions of noncombatants in the Asian-Pacific theater. Truman’s primary concern in 1945 was the potential loss of American lives if a full-scale invasion of Japan occurred. With the high casualty rate during previous battles, an invasion scheduled for November 1945 would have been devastating. However, it’s crucial to adopt a global perspective and acknowledge the atrocities committed by Japan during the war, including the massacre at Nanjing and the murder of civilians in reprisal for aiding American flyers. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki resulted in Hirohito’s surrender and the end of the war. Looking back, it seems ironic that Hirohito died peacefully in 1989 while Truman, who played a significant role in ending the war, still carries a moral burden. We must also recognize the contributions of J. Robert Oppenheimer and all those who strive for peace. If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to email me at [email protected].
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