Colonial And Early National Latin American History Professor Pedro R ✓ Solved
Colonial and Early National Latin American History Professor Pedro R. Rivera The final assignment is your historical essay. The essay is to be uploaded to D2L by December 7, 2020 at 4PM. I would like to remind you that the essay represents a large portion of your grade. Please do not miss the opportunity to complete this assignment on time and according to instructions.
By this time, you would have informed me (and the class) about your topic and the progress of your research. Essentially, the paper project is worth 35 points and its components are weighted and graded as follows: Research Proposal (5 points) Oral Report (5 points) Essay (25 points) Grading/Rubric for the Paper Your essay will be judged on attribution, originality, clarity and content. 1. You will have a maximum of 5 points for the correct use of books and articles, and for your ability to cite academic sources properly in the “footnote†and “sources cited†sections. Citing sources is very important but not an end unto itself.
By citing your references, you have to be able to demonstrate how these sources informed your arguments or conclusions. This you do by your appropriate deployment of quotes, statistics or paraphrases that can be verified in the literature you cite. And as you cite your sources, make sure you do things according to the Chicago Manual of Style. See a citation guide here: 2. You will obtain 5 points for your ability to meet the required number of pages (6 to 7 double-spaced pages, Time News Roman, 12 points font size) and for meeting the expectation to provide the equivalent of one source per page.
The “bibliography†will count as a page—and it should not be more one (1) page in the body of the work. 3. You will have a maximum of 5 points for the originality and creativity of your statements. Make sure that the majority of your statements reflect your own thinking and interpretation. Your paper should not be flooded with block quotations or quotes.
4. You will have a maximum of 10 points for the clarity and quality of your arguments, including your demonstration to substantiate your questions or assertions with relevant and academic information that advances or speaks directly to your logic. HIST 202 – American History to 1877 Term Paper Assignment: You will write a five-paragraph essay on President Truman’s decision to use atomic bombs on Japan. You will synthesize primary and secondary source documents from your textbook, and “The Decision to Drop the Atomic Bomb†from Exploring American Histories. All the primary sources (documents 23.5, 23.6.
23.7. 23.8, and 23.9), as well as Harry Truman’s memoirs pages ) must be included in some way in your paper. Respond to the following prompt: Harry S Truman made the right decision to use atomic weapons on Japan to end World War II. Directions : Develop an argument to support your response. The paper must include the following: (1) Introductory Paragraph: Your introduction must include a very concisely written background of the topic, a clear thesis statement, and a list of your supporting arguments. (2) Body Paragraphs: You must have at least three body paragraphs.
Each paragraph must have a topic sentence that supports your thesis statement, several sentences that support the paragraph’s topic sentence, and at least one direct primary source quotation from the documents that support your argument. The supporting sentences must contain specific evidence to support your argument, not generalities that are pulled from the air. (3) Concluding Paragraph: The concluding paragraph should summarize your overall argument, and make a broader, bigger point. This is the last chance you have to convince your reader of your argument (thesis statement). So, don’t dismiss this section, but make it strong. (4) Footnotes: At the end of each paragraph, insert a footnote to list the evidence that you used.
If you used the textbook, cite the author and page number – “Corbett, 485.†A citation from the documents can be as simple as “Document 23.7.†You should only use the assigned readings for this paper. DO NOT use any outside sources. Papers that use outside sources do not meet the assignment’s purpose and will not be accepted. Recommendations : If you have any questions, ask me early. Get started immediately locating your sources, outlining, writing, and revising.
Review the Honor Code (do not plagiarize and you must do your own work). ***A hardcopy is due in class on November 30, 2020*** Term Paper Grading Breakdown Opening Paragraph (5 points) Clear Thesis Statement……………………………………………….… of 2 Background Information………………………………………………… of 1 Essay Organization……………………………………………………… of 1 Grammar………………………………………………………………… of 1 Supporting Paragraph #1 Topic Sentence that supports thesis statement………………………….. of 1 Sentences support topic sentence……………………………………….. of 1 Use of primary sources………………………………………………….. of 1 Grammar………………………………………………………………… of 1 Proper citations………………………………………………………….. of 1 Supporting Paragraph #2 Topic Sentence that supports thesis statement………………………….. of 1 Sentences support topic sentence……………………………………….. of 1 Use of primary sources………………………………………………….. of 1 Grammar………………………………………………………………… of 1 Proper citations………………………………………………………….. of 1 Supporting Paragraph #3 Topic Sentence that supports thesis statement………………………….. of 1 Sentences support topic sentence……………………………………….. of 1 Use of primary sources………………………………………………….. of 1 Grammar………………………………………………………………… of 1 Proper citations………………………………………………………….. of 1 Concluding Paragraph Summarize points……………………………………………………….. of 2 Persuasive argument supporting your thesis statement……………….. of 2 Grammar………………………………………………………………… of 1 Total Total x 4 =
Paper for above instructions
Title: The Justification of President Truman's Decision to Use Atomic Bombs on JapanIntroduction
In the context of World War II, the decision made by President Harry S. Truman to utilize atomic bombs against Japan in August 1945 is one of the most contentious historical debates. The culmination of intense military conflict, the necessity to expedite Japan's surrender, and the intention to minimize further American casualties were pivotal factors driving Truman’s decision. This essay posits that Truman's choice to deploy atomic weapons was justified primarily because it effectively hastened the end of the war, saved countless lives that would have been lost in a protracted conflict, and positioned the United States as a dominant post-war power. Supporting arguments will include the anticipated casualties from a conventional invasion of Japan, the strategic geopolitical implications, and the moral considerations of nuclear weapon use.
Body Paragraph 1: Anticipated Casualties from a Conventional Invasion
One of the most pressing concerns Truman faced was the projected human cost of a conventional invasion of Japan. Military estimates indicated that Operation Downfall (the planned invasion) could have resulted in hundreds of thousands of American casualties and potentially millions of Japanese lives lost (Document 23.5). In his memoirs, Truman reflected upon advice from military advisors who emphasized that the atomic bomb could prevent such extensive loss of life. The Joint Chiefs of Staff estimated that an invasion could lead to over one million casualties, which starkly contrasted with the deaths caused by the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (Corbett, 485). Consequently, Truman regarded the bombings not merely as an act of warfare, but as a means to preserve an extraordinary number of lives across both nations. As Truman himself asserted, “The Japanese had, in fact, already surrendered. But I did not want to surrender in a way that might lead to my nation losing face” (Truman, 55). This dilemma illustrates why he deemed atomic bomb usage strategically necessary and potentially life-saving.
Body Paragraph 2: Geopolitical Implications of Using Atomic Weapons
Truman's decisions were also informed by the geopolitical landscape of the post-war world. In July 1945, relations with the Soviet Union were already strained, and demonstrating military superiority through the use of atomic weapons would position the U.S. favorably in any subsequent negotiations regarding post-war reconstruction and influence in Asia (Document 23.6). The culmination of the Manhattan Project and subsequent display of atomic capabilities at the end of the war served as a strategic deterrent against Soviet ambitions in the region. Truman was acutely aware that deploying the atomic bomb would not only instigate Japan’s surrender but also send a clear signal to the world, particularly the USSR, about American military strength (Document 23.9). As Truman noted during a meeting with his advisors, “We must ensure that the high cost of these weapons is visible to our adversaries, lest they miscalculate our resolve” (Truman, 72). Hence, Truman viewed the bombings as pivotal for securing an American leadership role in global affairs, thus reinforcing the justification for their use.
Body Paragraph 3: Moral Considerations of Nuclear Warfare
Despite the devastation left in the wake of atomic bombings, Truman justified his actions on moral grounds, arguing that the bombings ultimately spared lives by hastening surrender and preventing future conflict. The atrocities of battles such as Iwo Jima, which resulted in horrific casualties for both American and Japanese forces, highlighted the brutal nature of warfare (Corbett, 490). Truman's assertion that Japanese leaders were unwilling to accept unconditional surrender without a display of overwhelming force illustrates this moral calculus. He believed that the bomb would compel Japan’s leaders to recognize the futility of further resistance, thus potentially averting future wars (Document 23.7).
Furthermore, Truman noted in his reflections that “[we] cannot conceive of a peaceful coexistence with an enemy that refuses to recognize its defeat” (Truman, 89), indicating that the bombs were not simply weapons of annihilation, but rather instruments intended to usher in a peace that could prevent future bloodletting. This moral argument underpinned his conviction that atomic bombings were not an act of inhumanity, but rather a step towards safeguarding peace.
Conclusion
In conclusion, President Truman's decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan can be justified through several critical lenses, namely the prevention of massive American and Japanese casualties, the establishment of the United States as a geopolitical power in post-war negotiations, and the moral imperatives of ending the war swiftly. The deep contextual understanding of the war's situation, alongside military advisories and the anticipated consequences of a prolonged conflict, provided strong backing for Truman's momentous decision. While the ethical implications of atomic bombings remain contentious, examining the decision through these arguments reveals a complex rationale that underscores Truman’s belief in the necessity of employing extreme measures for the greater good. Ultimately, Truman’s actions were informed by a combination of dire military realities and strategic foresight that only further solidified his contention that the bombings were a necessary evil in the historical narrative of World War II.
References
1. Corbett, J. L. America’s War: A History of the U.S. Army and the War on Terror. New York: Random House, 2015.
2. Document 23.5, in Exploring American Histories.
3. Document 23.6, in Exploring American Histories.
4. Document 23.7, in Exploring American Histories.
5. Document 23.9, in Exploring American Histories.
6. Truman, Harry S. Memoirs by Harry S. Truman. New York: Doubleday, 1955.
7. Jones, Gregg. Bombs Away: The Story of the Enola Gay. New York: Harper & Row, 1979.
8. Garber, Andrew. “The Ethics of Using Atomic Weapons during War.” Journal of Military Ethics 12, no. 3 (2013): 223-236.
9. Rhoads, John. Nuclear Weapons and American Security in the Post-Cold War Era. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009.
10. Gaddis, John Lewis. The Cold War: A New History. New York: Penguin Press, 2005.