Question

identify two sources from the following list that could be used to support this thesis statement:
\the central factor in trumans decision to use the atomic bomb was the united states rivalry with the soviet union, not ending the war with japan.\
□ i realized that (stalin and churchill) were talking about research on the atomic bomb. it was clear already then that the us govt intended to use the atomic weapon for the purpose of achieving its imperialistic goals...in the \cold\ war...without any military need whatsoever, the americans dropped two atomic bombs on the peaceful and densely populated japanese cities of hiroshima and nagasaki. - marshal georgi zhukov (ussr, 1971)
□ the use of (the atomic bombs) at hiroshima and nagasaki was of no material assistance in our war against japan. the japanese were already defeated and ready to surrender because of the effective sea blockade and the successful bombing with conventional weapons... - fleet admiral william d. leahy (us, 1945)
□ \there are voices which assert that the bomb should never have been used at all. i cannot associate myself with such ideas... i am surprised that very worthy people...should adopt the position that rather than throw this bomb, we should have sacrificed a million american and a quarter of a million british lives. - winston churchill (uk, 1945)
□ ...the enemy now possesses a new and terrible weapon with the power to destroy many innocent lives and do incalculable (huge) damage. should we continue to fight, not only would it result in the ultimate collapse and obliteration (destruction) of the japanese nation, but also it would lead to the total extinction of human civilization. - emperor hirohito (japan, 1945)

Explanation:

1. The first source from Marshal Georgi Zhukov states the US used the atomic bombs for imperialistic/cold war goals (Soviet rivalry) with no military need, directly linking the decision to US-Soviet rivalry instead of ending the war with Japan.
2. The second source from Fleet Admiral William D. Leahy confirms Japan was already defeated and ready to surrender via conventional means, meaning the bomb's use was unnecessary for ending the war, supporting the thesis that the true motive was Soviet rivalry.

Answer:

1. I realized that (Stalin and Churchill) were talking about research on the atomic bomb. It was clear already then that the US gov't intended to use the atomic weapon for the purpose of achieving its imperialistic goals...in the "cold" war...Without any military need whatsoever, the Americans dropped two atomic bombs on the peaceful and densely populated Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. - Marshal Georgi Zhukov (USSR, 1971)
2. The use of (the atomic bombs) at Hiroshima and Nagasaki was of no material assistance in our war against Japan. The Japanese were already defeated and ready to surrender because of the effective sea blockade and the successful bombing with conventional weapons.. - Fleet Admiral William D. Leahy (US, 1945)