Question

read this excerpt from president harry trumans radio address to the american people on august 9, 1945. then answer the question that follows.

i realize the tragic significance of the atomic bomb.

its production and its use were not lightly undertaken by this government. but we knew that our enemies were on the search for it. we know now how close they were to finding it. and we knew the disaster, which would come to this nation, and to all peace - loving nations, to all civilization, if they had found it first.

that is why we felt compelled to undertake the long and uncertain and costly labor of discovery and production.

we won the race of discovery against the germans. having found the bomb we have used it. we have used it against those who attacked us without warning at pearl harbor, against those who have starved and beaten and executed american prisoners of war, against those who have abandoned all pretense of obeying international laws of warfare. we have used it in order to shorten the agony of war, in order to save the lives of thousands and thousands of young americans.

we shall continue to use it until we completely destroy japans power to make war. only a japanese surrender will stop us.

based on the excerpt, what are three reasons president truman provides for the development and use of atomic bombs by the united states?

• atomic bombs caused less destruction and death than other bombs.
• the axis powers would have been unstoppable if they had developed the atomic bomb first.
• the atomic bombs needed to be tested in a real - world war scenario in asia.
• the americans used the bomb to end the war and minimize american casualties.
• the bombing was necessary to stop aggressive nations that endangered world peace.

Explanation:

• Reason 1: The excerpt states enemies (Axis powers) were close to developing the atomic bomb, and their first use would bring disaster to peace-loving nations, aligning with option B.
• Reason 2: Truman mentions using the bomb to "shorten the agony of war" and "save the lives of thousands and thousands of young Americans," matching option D.
• Reason 3: The bomb was used against those who attacked Pearl Harbor, violated war laws, and endangered civilization, corresponding to option E.

Answer:

B. The Axis powers would have been unstoppable if they had developed the atomic bomb first, D. The Americans used the bomb to end the war and minimize American casualties, E. The bombing was necessary to stop aggressive nations that endangered world peace.