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Comrade Shampanyov wrote: I'd say the atomic bombs were meant at least as much for the Soviet Union's attention as they were for Japan's. We got a twofer there, if anything, with Japan's immediate and unconditional surrender.
Absolutely- this was a diplomatic points scoring exercise as much as anything else
Comrade Shampanyov wrote: I'd say the atomic bombs were meant at least as much for the Soviet Union's attention as they were for Japan's. We got a twofer there, if anything, with Japan's immediate and unconditional surrender.
I definately agree with you here. First, the Japanese Emperor had little control over the war from the middle to the end of the war... he was more of a figure-head than a leader... and the Japanese navy and army were not about to admit defeat. The atom bombs shocked the emperor to stop listening to his 'advisors'. It was very effective. But you are also correct in that we didn't trust Stalin, as he was a treaty opportunist... and we weren't sure if he was going to try and expand further than China... again, the message was effective.
