It’s Complicated: The Decision on How – Not If – to Use the Atomic Bomb During WWII
Ted Aldrich's lecture revisited the historical decision-making process behind the U.S. use of atomic bombs on Japan in August 1945, emphasizing the roles of key figures like Henry Stimson and George Marshall. He highlighted that the decision was not made lightly but was the result of extensive deliberation regarding military strategy, political pressures, and ethical dilemmas, with the primary aim being to end the war swiftly and minimize American casualties. Aldrich's analysis challenges simplistic narratives about this pivotal moment in history, portraying it as a complex interplay of factors faced by leaders during a brutal global conflict.
