Was the US decision to drop an atomic bomb on Hiroshima strictly a military measure or was it a diplomatic measure calculated to intimidate the Soviet Union in the post-World War 2 era?

Answer 1

As of World War II, Russia was our ally, so no, we would not have dropped the bomb as a gesture of power toward the USSR, as we couldn't forsee the turn they would take. Not so much an intimidation act, but everyone was certainly aware of Russia's interest in joining the effort to stop the final Axis power. Russia was ready to attack and send many of THEIR soldiers to their deaths during the ending stages of WW2, but U.S. military and government leaders were far less willing to face the prospects of anywhere near a million of our fighting men dying on Japanese beaches. It was simply not an acceptable solution to the end of WW2. Japan was already defeated, they just refused to surrender, yet the rest of the world would not allow them to end the war without surrender, especially since WW1 and the disaster with failing to control the Germans multiple attempts to control all of Europe. No, Japan had to surrender, and Japan had to be occupied afterward to assure the world that they wouldn't try again. Japan was holding on in an attempt to get better terms following the war. They wanted to keep their military, have the opportunity to rebuild their navy, keep foreign forces off their land, in short, they didn't really want to surrender. The President of the United States had no choice but to use the newly developed weapon to force Japan to surrender. It was truly a tragic turn of events and so incredibly devistating that so many innocent people died. If there had been any other options they would have been taken. But can you immagine the outrage of the American people if our troops had invaded Japan, we lost over a million lives then the story leaks out that we had this weapon that would have ended the war but we didn't want to use it because it would have killed many of our enemies? Like I said, there was no choice. 9. July 1945 president Truman declared that nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was necessary for saving American lives in an conventionel invasion. But the Americans knew that Japan had talked about a peace agreement through their Moscow-ambassodor in June 1945. Furthermore the American invasion of Japan was not scheduled until October '45. To add to all this, Soviet said already in May '45 they would declare war on Japan on the 8. August '45. Considering this there was no reason to use nuclear weapons, if there ever is. Americans wanted to prevent that Soviet joined the war, and prevent Soviet influence in the area. USA and Soviet has ALWAYS been enemies. Since the revolution in 1917 until 1989, they were political advessaries, except WW2.
No, but it was a practical and reasonable way to wage war.

Answer 2

The final decision to use the atomic bomb was President Trumans. This was a military decision. An invasion of Japan would have cost tens of thousands American lives. It was also a political decision as it was a message to Russia. Truman's knowledge of the bomb does not matter his decision ended the war and established the US the dominant world power of the time. Truman was not a physicist nor did he pretend to be. His decision was based on a calculated military risk. He first warned Japan and after they refused to heed the warning he followed it up with actions. Once again Japan was warned and once again they refused to surrender so Bonzai!!! That is policy, it is military doctrine. Truman may not have understood the working of the bomb but he understood the fallout-political and militarily.