Question

this passage comes from the memoirs of president truman, who made the decision to use the atomic bomb.
i had then set up a committee of top men and had asked them to study with great care the implications the new weapons might have for us...it was their recommendation that the bomb be used against the enemy as soon as it could be done. they recommended further that it should be used without specific warning and against a target that would clearly show its devastating strength. i had realized, of course, that an atomic bomb explosion would inflict damage and casualties beyond imagination. on the other hand, the scientific advisors of the committee reported...that no technical demonstration they might propose, such as over a deserted island, would be likely to bring the war to an end. it had to be used against an enemy target.
the final decision of where and when to use the atomic bomb was up to me. let there be no mistake about it. i
which of these statements best expresses president truman’s feelings in this passage?
○ he regretted his decision to drop the bomb on japan.
○ 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 made the decision on his own, without input from us army advisers.

Explanation:

• Analyze Option 1: The passage shows Truman followed committee advice and saw the need for using the bomb, no regret shown. Eliminate.
• Analyze Option 2: The committee recommended using the bomb asap, and Truman notes that technical demos wouldn't end the war—only using it on enemy would. This shows he believed it was necessary to end the war.
• Analyze Option 3: Truman set up a committee but the final decision was his, and he followed their recommendation (which aligned with his view), so he wasn't undecided. Eliminate.
• Analyze Option 4: He set up a committee of top men (including scientific advisors) for input, so he didn't make the decision alone. Eliminate.

Answer:

B. He believed that using the bomb was absolutely necessary to end the war.