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Andrew Starnes
HIST 4000
Takaki Review
Ronald Takaki, in his
nonfiction book, Hiroshima: Why America Dropped the Atomic Bomb,
contends that the decision to release the atomic bombs absorbed more
contemplation than merely providing a means to end the war. He states that
his motivation for writing the book aroused from beginning to write a
research paper with one of his classes and while researching he found what
he felt was disturbing evidence about events that took place about the
decision. Takaki dives into several aspects of why the
decision was made to deploy nuclear weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. From
President Truman’s subconscious inferiority complex to intimidating the
Soviets, Takaki connects them to what happened on August sixth and ninth
1945. Takaki has published several other works such as From Different
Shores: Perspectives on Race and Ethnicity in America. Takaki received
his Ph.D. in American History in 1967 from the University of California,
Berkeley. He is currently a professor of ethnic studies at Berkeley and his
research interests include Asian American history as well as multicultural
history. The main theme of the book revolves around the factors that lead to
dropping the atomic bombs and his idea is to arouse debate about the
decision.
This work provides many accurate details of
events that took place leading up to the decision as well as many attempts
of providing more speculation as to why the bomb was dropped. From the
opening paragraph Takaki seems to make clear which bias he will side with
which seems to resonate throughout the book. He chooses to first inform the
fact that General Douglas MacArthur was the Supreme commander of Allied
forces in the pacific and he was never consulted about whether or not it was
necessary to use the bomb. However the title of Supreme commander of Allied
forces in the pacific does not come with the job description of deciding
whether or not to use atomic weapons. On the other hand
it is easy to speculate on the fact that with a decision of this magnitude,
the opinion of the experienced Macarthur would have been influential. This
is one subject that Takaki brings up in an effective way to raise debate
about the subject. There seems to be a reoccurring
thought from Takaki that President Truman’s psychological makeup had a great
deal to do with the decision as well. In a chapter titled “Where the Buck
Stopped” he brings up the motions that took place that pulled Truman into
the Presidency as well as his cultural background.
“Truman had not wanted to become the vice-presidential nominee,” Takaki sets
up a feeling of reluctance by Truman to even put him in a position to become
president. He quoted Truman as saying “Responsibility is
just too great” and “Oh, yes, I was scared,” perhaps foreshadowing one of
the largest decisions in American History. Quotes that
appeal to Takaki’s resonating theme of Truman’s personal decision to drop
the bomb. These quotes seem to paint Truman as unfit for this type of
decision. However whatever occurs in the course of history the human being
has the ability to adapt and accept responsibility and the decisions that go
with that responsibility. He also refers to Truman’s
childhood when he was called “four eyes” because of his glasses and the fact
those years of overlooked Truman had developed an inferiority complex. He
also refers to the fact that Truman would always try to live up to the
Truman name. A name made by his uncle Harrison who would not turn informant
during the Civil War as well as by his father who would fight anyone who
disagreed with him. These are all facts that arouse concern to whether or
not they had a lasting effect on Truman’s decision to use the bombs.
“Unconditional surrender” is a loaded term that would define the
United States demands of Japanese surrender. The Japanese demanded that the
Emperor stay in power as a figure head but the term once uttered by
President Roosevelt was upheld by Truman. How could he go against one of the
most influential presidents of all time? Takaki gives many descriptions of
people who felt like Conditional surrender was acceptable; however it was
not ever made as the policy of the U.S. These are the type of facts that
Takaki presents to stimulate debate about the subject.
There are many interesting points that Takaki
brings up for this debate to take place. Why wouldn’t Truman consult
experience like Macarthur when deciding to use the bomb? I feel like the
more experienced opinions one can obtain the better a decision one can make.
I also feel like this book stimulates the question of whose lives are more
important. Since we are Americans, should Americans lives come before
Japanese? There is no question that the book as a feel for war being a
horrible occurrence between men however war still occurs. He spends a great
deal of time talking about the lives to be lost by the bomb and only speaks
briefly Japans acts of imperialism such as the Rape of Nan king in China. I
also address the situation of unconditional surrender when I think of the
present day. When we invaded Iraq and eventually captured Saddam Hussein did
we set up a new government and allow him to remain in power as a figure
head? Negative, he was executed. Emperor Hirohito was considered to have
committed atrocious war crimes and people wanted him to remain as a figure
head. The thought on him having no influence would have been a grave
misconception.
To conclude, I feel like Takaki did an
impressive job of bringing about facts to stimulate debate about the topic.
However, one can take quotes from history and arrange them in a fashion to
aid an argument. I feel like the facts presented here are arranged in a way
to benefit Takaki’s brash opinion of why the bombs were dropped. Factual
evidence can be found that makes one wonder why things happened the way they
did and hopefully people will be motivated enough to research further on the
subject. One cannot rely only on this piece of literature to make a decision
of validity. More than anything this work will stimulate more research for a
more sound understanding of a colossal decision.
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