Given what we know about FDR, he would have been more than willing to use nukes. He was in favor of using force to resolve a hostage situation at an internment camp. (Wallace had to talk him down by pointing out what we did there could affect US POWs.)By this point and the carnage on Okinawa I doubt FDR would have thought twice about using nukes....
There is no reason that anyone, having invested so much in the development of the weapon would not have used it. There is no moral grounds to not use the weapon, when there is even an iota of a chance that it will end the war without an invasion.
Of course he would use it.
Come now. Whether or not you think it is morally acceptable to use nuclear weapons on civilians is immaterial. I'm not saying you're right or wrong, and I don't particularly care to argue over it; but we both know that there are many who would disagree with you and that the chances of either side changing their minds on an internet message board are nil. What you're saying doesn't further the discussion.
Suppose we somehow delay the death of FDR by a few months - let's say he dies on September 1st, 1945. Would he really have nuked Japan, or he would simply carry out Operation Downfall? I know it has been discussed before, and I do have my own views, but I would like to listen to the differing views of yours.
No, youre thinking of Teddy. FDR wouldnt have nuked Japan, he would have had the Airforce do it for him.![]()
Suppose we somehow delay the death of FDR by a few months - let's say he dies on September 1st, 1945. Would he really have nuked Japan, or he would simply carry out Operation Downfall? I know it has been discussed before, and I do have my own views, but I would like to listen to the differing views of yours.
I just had an image of FDR personally nuking japan in a flying wheelchair. It was Badass.
Variation: that FDR is incapacitated by a stroke, and Eleanor is the only one who can understand what he is saying, the only one who could communicate his wishes to the outside. Maybe Roosevelt would have been willing to use the newly-invented atomic bombs on Japan, but would the more concerned Eleanor?
yes, it's a repeat of Wilson's illness, where his wife in effect was running the country, but it's still an interesting scenario.
This is an interesting post, and for the most part I agree that it makes sense, that what with all the expense of developing the bomb, and pressure to end the war in Japan, FDR would have been quite willing to use it. It'd be intriguing to look at his thought process, in comparison to Truman's, but the end result would probably be the same.
Where I like to speculate is Eleanor's part, what she would have thought, had she discovered any knowledge of the atomic bomb and its effects, so horrific but so effective,and -- here's the thrust -- would she have prevented its use if she could. It is a tad ASB, but something to muse on.