Question

use the highlighting tool to identify text that shows admiral leahy’s opinion on dropping the atomic bomb to end world war ii. the use of this barbarous weapon at hiroshima and nagasaki was of no material assistance in our war against japan. the japanese were already defeated and ready to surrender. . . . in being the first to use it, we . . . adopted an ethical standard common to the barbarians of the dark ages. i was not taught to make war in that fashion, and wars cannot be won by destroying women and children. . . . i voiced . . . my grave misgivings, first on the basis of my belief that japan was already defeated and that dropping the bomb was completely unnecessary and . . . no longer mandatory as a measure to save american lives. it was my belief that japan was, at that very moment, seeking some way to surrender with a minimum loss of \face.\ —admiral william e. leahy which of these statements best summarizes admiral leahy’s opinion of the decision to drop the bomb? he was opposed to the decision because he believed japan was ready to surrender. he believed that using the bomb was absolutely necessary to end the war. he was undecided about whether to use the bomb but was talked into it. he was unhappy about the decision but felt it was necessary to save lives.

Explanation:

To determine Admiral Leahy's opinion, we analyze the text:

• He states the atomic bomb was "of no material assistance" as Japan was "already defeated and ready to surrender".
• He opposed using the bomb, calling it "barbarous" and unethical.
• The second option is incorrect as he didn't think the bomb was necessary.
• The third option is incorrect as he voiced "grave misgivings" (not undecided).
• The fourth option is incorrect as he thought the bomb was unnecessary, not a necessary life - saver.

Answer:

A. He was opposed to the decision because he believed Japan was ready to surrender.