1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,162 WWW.MY-SUBS.CO 1 00:00:17,517 --> 00:00:20,302 Roosevelt: I believe that we are going to get along very well 2 00:00:20,336 --> 00:00:22,471 With marshal stalin. 3 00:00:24,908 --> 00:00:27,609 The american people have always had guts 4 00:00:27,644 --> 00:00:28,777 And always will have. 5 00:00:28,795 --> 00:00:31,797 Crowd: We want wallace! We want wallace! 6 00:00:31,831 --> 00:00:33,682 We want wallace! 7 00:00:33,717 --> 00:00:36,518 Roosevelt: I'll accept the results of this conference 8 00:00:36,553 --> 00:00:40,439 As the beginnings of a permanent structure of peace. 9 00:00:44,060 --> 00:00:46,512 Truman: Our demand has been, 10 00:00:46,546 --> 00:00:48,080 And it remains, 11 00:00:48,114 --> 00:00:50,298 Unconditional surrender. 12 00:01:01,728 --> 00:01:03,228 A short time ago, 13 00:01:03,263 --> 00:01:06,365 An american airplane dropped one bomb 14 00:01:06,399 --> 00:01:08,033 On hiroshima 15 00:01:08,068 --> 00:01:10,769 And destroyed its usefulness to the enemy. 16 00:01:12,272 --> 00:01:14,256 The japanese began the war from the air 17 00:01:14,290 --> 00:01:15,591 At pearl harbor. 18 00:01:15,625 --> 00:01:18,444 They have been repaid manyfold. 19 00:01:18,495 --> 00:01:20,045 And the end is not yet. 20 00:01:21,514 --> 00:01:23,449 We shall destroy their docks, 21 00:01:23,483 --> 00:01:24,650 Their factories 22 00:01:24,684 --> 00:01:26,785 And their communications. 23 00:01:26,820 --> 00:01:28,420 Let there be no mistake-- 24 00:01:28,455 --> 00:01:29,605 We shall completely destroy 25 00:01:29,639 --> 00:01:32,491 Japan's power to make war. 26 00:01:32,525 --> 00:01:34,993 It is an atomic bomb. 27 00:01:35,028 --> 00:01:38,797 It is a harnessing of the basic power of the universe. 28 00:01:38,832 --> 00:01:42,751 Stone: This was August 6, 1945. 29 00:01:42,786 --> 00:01:45,554 The war in europe had ended close to three months before 30 00:01:45,572 --> 00:01:46,889 On may the 8th. 31 00:01:53,847 --> 00:01:57,366 Looming on November 1 was operation downfall-- 32 00:01:57,400 --> 00:01:59,785 The invasion of the japanese islands, 33 00:01:59,819 --> 00:02:02,754 Overseen by general douglas macarthur. 34 00:02:02,789 --> 00:02:04,456 Many feared a bloodbath 35 00:02:04,507 --> 00:02:07,693 As americans confronted a fanatically hostile 36 00:02:07,727 --> 00:02:09,478 Civilian population 37 00:02:09,512 --> 00:02:13,699 As well as the remaining japanese imperial armed forces. 38 00:02:13,733 --> 00:02:16,185 The climate for the war on japan 39 00:02:16,219 --> 00:02:17,719 Was shaped by the profound hatred 40 00:02:17,753 --> 00:02:20,856 Americans felt towards the japanese. 41 00:02:24,194 --> 00:02:27,128 Pulitzer prize-winning historian allan nevins 42 00:02:27,147 --> 00:02:29,982 Wrote after the war, "probably in all our history, 43 00:02:30,016 --> 00:02:32,267 No foe has been so detested 44 00:02:32,285 --> 00:02:34,386 As were the japanese." 45 00:02:34,420 --> 00:02:36,722 Admiral william "bull" halsey, 46 00:02:36,756 --> 00:02:39,124 Commander of the south pacific force, 47 00:02:39,159 --> 00:02:41,059 Was notorious in this regard, 48 00:02:41,094 --> 00:02:44,429 Urging his men to kill the "yellow monkeys" 49 00:02:44,464 --> 00:02:46,665 And "get some more monkey meat." 50 00:02:46,699 --> 00:02:49,351 Halsey: They were tough monkeys, but they could be had. 51 00:02:49,369 --> 00:02:52,004 Stone: An article in "time" magazine stated 52 00:02:52,055 --> 00:02:54,656 "the ordinary unreasoning jap is ignorant. 53 00:02:54,691 --> 00:02:56,959 Perhaps he is human. 54 00:02:56,993 --> 00:02:58,460 Nothing indicates it." 55 00:02:58,494 --> 00:03:00,562 The british embassy in washington 56 00:03:00,597 --> 00:03:03,799 Reported back to london that the americans viewed the japanese 57 00:03:03,833 --> 00:03:06,602 As a "nameless mass of vermin." 58 00:03:06,636 --> 00:03:09,104 When popular war correspondent ernie pyle 59 00:03:09,138 --> 00:03:11,039 Was transferred from europe to the pacific 60 00:03:11,074 --> 00:03:13,575 In February '45, he observed... 61 00:03:13,610 --> 00:03:16,211 Pyle: In europe, we felt that our enemies, 62 00:03:16,246 --> 00:03:17,963 Horrible and deadly as they were, 63 00:03:17,997 --> 00:03:19,298 Were still people. 64 00:03:19,332 --> 00:03:20,966 But out here I soon gathered 65 00:03:21,000 --> 00:03:22,517 That the japanese were looked upon 66 00:03:22,551 --> 00:03:26,738 The way some people feel about cockroaches or mice. 67 00:03:26,773 --> 00:03:29,524 Stone: Some of this sentiment can be attributed 68 00:03:29,559 --> 00:03:30,926 Certainly to racism. 69 00:03:30,960 --> 00:03:33,495 But american rancor towards japan soared 70 00:03:33,529 --> 00:03:36,381 With the sneak attack at pearl harbor. 71 00:03:36,416 --> 00:03:37,783 And in early 1944, 72 00:03:37,817 --> 00:03:39,918 The government released information 73 00:03:39,969 --> 00:03:41,853 About the sadistic treatment of u.S. 74 00:03:41,888 --> 00:03:45,057 And filipino prisoners during the baton death March 75 00:03:45,108 --> 00:03:46,675 Two years earlier. 76 00:03:46,693 --> 00:03:49,695 Reports of unspeakable japanese cruelty-- 77 00:03:49,729 --> 00:03:51,179 Torture, crucifixion, 78 00:03:51,197 --> 00:03:53,348 Castration, dismemberment, 79 00:03:53,383 --> 00:03:56,218 Beheading, burning and burying alive, 80 00:03:56,252 --> 00:03:57,736 Vivisection, 81 00:03:57,787 --> 00:03:59,037 Nailing prisoners to trees 82 00:03:59,072 --> 00:04:01,423 And using them for bayonet practice-- 83 00:04:01,457 --> 00:04:02,758 Flooded the media. 84 00:04:02,792 --> 00:04:05,160 Even president truman's bigotry 85 00:04:05,194 --> 00:04:09,031 Long antedated reports of japanese savagery. 86 00:04:09,065 --> 00:04:12,267 As a young man courting his future wife, he wrote... 87 00:04:12,302 --> 00:04:14,102 Truman: I think one man is as good as another, 88 00:04:14,120 --> 00:04:16,038 So long as he's honest and decent 89 00:04:16,072 --> 00:04:17,889 And not a nigger or a chinaman. 90 00:04:17,924 --> 00:04:19,507 Uncle will says that the lord 91 00:04:19,525 --> 00:04:20,809 Made a white man of dust, 92 00:04:20,843 --> 00:04:22,644 A nigger from mud, 93 00:04:22,679 --> 00:04:25,580 Then threw up what was left and it came down a chinaman. 94 00:04:25,615 --> 00:04:28,116 Stone: To be fair, truman was a product 95 00:04:28,151 --> 00:04:29,451 Of his time and place. 96 00:04:29,485 --> 00:04:32,020 His biographer merle miller reported... 97 00:04:32,038 --> 00:04:34,506 Miller: Privately, mr. Truman always said 'nigger.' 98 00:04:34,540 --> 00:04:36,708 At least he always did when I talked to him. 99 00:04:36,743 --> 00:04:39,661 Stone: This racism prevailed when president roosevelt 100 00:04:39,696 --> 00:04:42,981 In February 1942 signed an executive order 101 00:04:43,016 --> 00:04:46,918 Calling for the evacuation of over 110,000 102 00:04:46,953 --> 00:04:49,855 Japanese and japanese-americans 103 00:04:49,889 --> 00:04:52,524 From california, oregon and washington 104 00:04:52,558 --> 00:04:54,493 On the grounds that they 105 00:04:54,527 --> 00:04:57,329 "represented a threat to national security." 106 00:04:57,363 --> 00:05:01,133 70% of them were american citizens, 107 00:05:01,167 --> 00:05:05,954 But still with few defending these citizens' constitutional rights, 108 00:05:05,989 --> 00:05:10,008 They were eventually placed in 10 different camps, 109 00:05:10,043 --> 00:05:13,512 Often referred to at the time as concentration camps. 110 00:05:13,546 --> 00:05:15,514 Conditions here were deplorable. 111 00:05:15,548 --> 00:05:17,766 Lacking running water, bathroom facilities, 112 00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:19,534 Decent schools, 113 00:05:19,569 --> 00:05:22,637 Insulated cabins and proper roofs. 114 00:05:22,672 --> 00:05:25,223 They worked under scorching desert sun 115 00:05:25,258 --> 00:05:27,042 For miniscule pay. 116 00:05:27,060 --> 00:05:30,062 Evacuees were only allowed to bring what they could carry 117 00:05:30,096 --> 00:05:32,898 And some greedy westerners used the opportunity 118 00:05:32,932 --> 00:05:35,067 To seize their neighbor's properties 119 00:05:35,101 --> 00:05:38,036 At a fraction of their real value. 120 00:05:38,071 --> 00:05:41,106 The japanese lost an estimated $400 million 121 00:05:41,140 --> 00:05:42,841 In personal property. 122 00:05:42,875 --> 00:05:45,210 Worth more than $5 billion today. 123 00:05:47,447 --> 00:05:50,165 Japanese resoluteness in the face of defeat 124 00:05:50,183 --> 00:05:51,933 Was legendary. 125 00:05:51,968 --> 00:05:54,803 In February and March of 1945, 126 00:05:54,837 --> 00:05:57,789 After five weeks of combat at iwo jima, 127 00:05:57,824 --> 00:06:01,193 Almost 7,000 american sailors and marines 128 00:06:01,227 --> 00:06:04,446 Were killed and over 18,000 wounded. 129 00:06:05,782 --> 00:06:08,467 - Stryker! - Yes, sir? 130 00:06:08,518 --> 00:06:10,268 The colonel has ordered that we put up this flag 131 00:06:10,303 --> 00:06:11,937 As soon as the top is secured. 132 00:06:11,971 --> 00:06:14,389 - Be sure that it gets there. - Aye, aye, sir. 133 00:06:14,423 --> 00:06:15,957 Find something we can use for a standard 134 00:06:15,991 --> 00:06:17,175 And we'll put this up. 135 00:06:17,210 --> 00:06:19,494 Even hollywood movie star john wayne 136 00:06:19,529 --> 00:06:21,496 Would fall victim. 137 00:06:22,849 --> 00:06:24,883 Well, conway, I see you made it. 138 00:06:24,934 --> 00:06:26,835 Yeah, I guess that little voice was wrong. 139 00:06:26,853 --> 00:06:28,303 I feel better. 140 00:06:28,337 --> 00:06:30,305 I feel a lot better too. 141 00:06:30,339 --> 00:06:32,841 As a matter of fact, I never felt so good in my life. 142 00:06:32,859 --> 00:06:35,444 - How about a cigarette? - ( gunshot ) 143 00:06:37,530 --> 00:06:42,184 ♪ first to fight for right and freedom ♪ 144 00:06:42,218 --> 00:06:47,055 ♪ then to keep our honor clean, we are... ♪ 145 00:06:47,090 --> 00:06:49,174 All right! Saddle up! 146 00:06:49,225 --> 00:06:50,792 Let's get back in the war! 147 00:06:50,810 --> 00:06:56,631 ♪ the United States marines. 148 00:06:56,649 --> 00:06:59,301 Stone: At okinawa, the bloodiest battle of the pacific, 149 00:06:59,335 --> 00:07:02,070 Over 12,000 americans were killed or missing 150 00:07:02,105 --> 00:07:04,506 And over 36,000 wounded. 151 00:07:04,540 --> 00:07:07,325 100,000 japanese soldiers 152 00:07:07,360 --> 00:07:10,529 And an equivalent number of okinawan civilians 153 00:07:10,563 --> 00:07:11,863 Were killed. 154 00:07:11,898 --> 00:07:13,899 Many of them committed suicide. 155 00:07:17,904 --> 00:07:20,405 Americans were especially shocked 156 00:07:20,440 --> 00:07:23,008 By the 1,900 kamikaze attacks 157 00:07:23,042 --> 00:07:27,195 Which sank 30 and damaged some 360 naval vessels. 158 00:07:31,067 --> 00:07:32,951 Japanese soldiers fought for the emperor, 159 00:07:33,002 --> 00:07:35,437 Who many worshipped as a god. 160 00:07:35,471 --> 00:07:37,839 They believed that surrender would shame their families, 161 00:07:37,857 --> 00:07:39,774 But that death on the battlefield 162 00:07:39,809 --> 00:07:41,359 Would bring the highest honor. 163 00:07:46,082 --> 00:07:47,833 All military planners agreed 164 00:07:47,867 --> 00:07:50,168 That an invasion would be costly. 165 00:07:51,471 --> 00:07:53,505 But the debate over just how costly 166 00:07:53,539 --> 00:07:55,457 Has raged for decades. 167 00:07:55,491 --> 00:07:57,442 Marshall told truman on June 18th, 168 00:07:57,493 --> 00:08:00,912 He expected no more than 31,000 casualties. 169 00:08:08,971 --> 00:08:12,390 America's moral threshold would be dramatically lowered 170 00:08:12,425 --> 00:08:14,309 By world war ii. 171 00:08:14,343 --> 00:08:16,561 Urban area bombing had begun before 172 00:08:16,596 --> 00:08:18,263 During the first world war 173 00:08:18,297 --> 00:08:21,600 When the europeans had bombed each others' cities. 174 00:08:21,634 --> 00:08:24,486 And to its credit, the u.S. Had strongly condemned 175 00:08:24,520 --> 00:08:28,773 Japanese bombing of chinese cities in 1937. 176 00:08:28,808 --> 00:08:31,943 When the war began in '39, 177 00:08:31,978 --> 00:08:33,745 Roosevelt implored combatants 178 00:08:33,779 --> 00:08:36,498 To refrain from the inhuman barbarism 179 00:08:36,532 --> 00:08:39,301 Involved in bombing defenseless cities. 180 00:08:41,137 --> 00:08:43,305 But by the mid 1940s, 181 00:08:43,339 --> 00:08:46,107 Great cities such as barcelona, madrid, 182 00:08:46,142 --> 00:08:48,627 Shanghai, beijing, nanjing, 183 00:08:48,661 --> 00:08:50,795 Warsaw, london, rotterdam, 184 00:08:50,830 --> 00:08:52,998 Moscow, leningrad, budapest, 185 00:08:53,032 --> 00:08:55,217 Vienna, cologne, berlin, 186 00:08:55,251 --> 00:08:58,320 And many others had been severely bombed. 187 00:08:58,354 --> 00:09:01,706 Germany had begun with deadly raids on british cities, 188 00:09:01,741 --> 00:09:05,193 And the british responded with thousand-plane formations 189 00:09:05,228 --> 00:09:07,329 Over urban targets in germany. 190 00:09:08,598 --> 00:09:11,666 When u.S. Air force general curtis lemay 191 00:09:11,701 --> 00:09:14,803 Arrived in England in 1942, 192 00:09:14,837 --> 00:09:17,405 Air force strategy was targeting germany 193 00:09:17,440 --> 00:09:19,591 With precision bombing of key industries 194 00:09:19,625 --> 00:09:24,079 And transportation networks in vast daylight raids. 195 00:09:24,113 --> 00:09:27,082 But the crews were being shot to pieces. 196 00:09:27,116 --> 00:09:28,466 Terrified for their lives, 197 00:09:28,501 --> 00:09:30,535 Many pilots simply aborted their missions 198 00:09:30,586 --> 00:09:32,220 And returned to base. 199 00:09:32,255 --> 00:09:34,756 Morale was at the point of collapse. 200 00:09:34,790 --> 00:09:38,393 Lemay issued a severe order to his flyers. 201 00:09:38,427 --> 00:09:40,829 Lemay: Our abort rate is far too high. 202 00:09:40,863 --> 00:09:42,831 The cause of it is fear. 203 00:09:42,865 --> 00:09:45,033 Therefore I will be on the lead plane 204 00:09:45,067 --> 00:09:47,369 In these missions. And any crew that takes off 205 00:09:47,403 --> 00:09:49,170 And doesn't get to the target 206 00:09:49,205 --> 00:09:50,839 Will be court-marshaled. 207 00:09:50,873 --> 00:09:51,856 Attention! 208 00:10:00,199 --> 00:10:02,317 I can tell you now one reason I think 209 00:10:02,351 --> 00:10:04,302 You've been having hard luck. 210 00:10:04,337 --> 00:10:08,239 I saw it in your faces last night. 211 00:10:08,274 --> 00:10:10,342 I see it there now. 212 00:10:10,376 --> 00:10:13,862 You've been looking at a lot of air lately 213 00:10:13,896 --> 00:10:17,132 And you think you ought to have a rest. 214 00:10:17,166 --> 00:10:19,851 In short, you're sorry for yourselves. 215 00:10:19,885 --> 00:10:21,720 Now I don't have a lot of patience 216 00:10:21,754 --> 00:10:23,538 With this what-are- we-fighting-for stuff. 217 00:10:23,572 --> 00:10:25,724 We're in a war, a shooting war. 218 00:10:25,758 --> 00:10:27,742 We've got to fight. 219 00:10:27,777 --> 00:10:29,861 And some of us have got to die. 220 00:10:29,895 --> 00:10:32,998 I'm not trying to tell you not to be afraid. 221 00:10:33,032 --> 00:10:35,216 Fear is normal. 222 00:10:35,250 --> 00:10:37,085 But stop worrying about it 223 00:10:37,103 --> 00:10:39,004 And about yourselves. 224 00:10:39,038 --> 00:10:40,221 Stop making plans. 225 00:10:40,256 --> 00:10:42,207 Forget about going home. 226 00:10:42,241 --> 00:10:44,526 Consider yourselves already dead. 227 00:10:44,560 --> 00:10:46,561 Once you accept that idea, 228 00:10:46,595 --> 00:10:48,463 It won't be so tough. 229 00:10:48,497 --> 00:10:52,484 Now if any man here can't buy that, 230 00:10:52,518 --> 00:10:54,836 If he rates himself as something special 231 00:10:54,870 --> 00:10:57,906 With a special kind of hide to be saved, 232 00:10:57,940 --> 00:11:01,860 He'd better make up his mind about it right now. 233 00:11:02,995 --> 00:11:07,432 Because I don't want him in this group. 234 00:11:07,466 --> 00:11:09,517 I'll be in my office in five minutes. 235 00:11:09,552 --> 00:11:11,836 You can see me there. 236 00:11:11,871 --> 00:11:14,723 Stone: The abort rate dropped off to nothing. 237 00:11:14,757 --> 00:11:17,842 But even then, lemay looked to overhaul strategy, 238 00:11:17,893 --> 00:11:22,247 Frustrated with the restrictions of conventional bombing. 239 00:11:22,281 --> 00:11:24,382 His inspiration came from the british, 240 00:11:24,417 --> 00:11:27,919 And especially the notorious sir arthur "bomber" harris 241 00:11:27,953 --> 00:11:30,055 Who made no distinction between military 242 00:11:30,089 --> 00:11:31,990 And civilian targets. 243 00:11:32,024 --> 00:11:34,526 It was harris in February '42 244 00:11:34,560 --> 00:11:39,197 Who masterminded the shift from precise but dangerous daytime bombing 245 00:11:39,231 --> 00:11:43,334 To notoriously imprecise nighttime area bombing raids 246 00:11:43,369 --> 00:11:46,071 That indiscriminately kill civilians. 247 00:11:46,105 --> 00:11:48,873 The u.S. Had in the past balked at such slaughter, 248 00:11:48,908 --> 00:11:52,077 But now round the clock bombing ensued. 249 00:11:52,111 --> 00:11:55,146 British at night, the americans by day. 250 00:11:55,181 --> 00:11:58,683 In July '43, british bombers, including harris, 251 00:11:58,718 --> 00:12:02,220 Destroyed the german city of hamburg, 252 00:12:02,254 --> 00:12:05,957 Creating fires higher than the empire state building. 253 00:12:05,991 --> 00:12:08,276 Lemay felt he could do even better. 254 00:12:08,310 --> 00:12:12,297 And in November '43, the u.S. Air force destroyed munster. 255 00:12:12,331 --> 00:12:14,682 It was the beginning of a new war. 256 00:12:18,254 --> 00:12:21,723 On the night of February 13, 1945, 257 00:12:21,757 --> 00:12:24,058 The beautiful baroque city of dresden 258 00:12:24,093 --> 00:12:25,660 On the elbe river, 259 00:12:25,694 --> 00:12:29,280 Packed with refugees fleeing the red army, 260 00:12:29,331 --> 00:12:31,232 Disappeared from the face of the earth. 261 00:12:31,267 --> 00:12:34,185 25,000 were killed by british bombers at night, 262 00:12:34,220 --> 00:12:37,756 Followed by the u.S. Air force the next morning. 263 00:12:37,790 --> 00:12:40,808 The city had little military value. 264 00:12:40,826 --> 00:12:43,728 The cost of allied area bombing in europe 265 00:12:43,763 --> 00:12:46,548 Was vast in terms of men and material, 266 00:12:46,582 --> 00:12:50,218 Representing almost a quarter of the entire british war effort, 267 00:12:50,252 --> 00:12:52,487 And much of the american. 268 00:12:52,505 --> 00:12:54,005 But was it worth it? 269 00:12:54,039 --> 00:12:56,207 The bombing slowed the rate of increase 270 00:12:56,242 --> 00:12:57,809 In german armaments production 271 00:12:57,843 --> 00:13:00,061 And took its toll on civilian morale, 272 00:13:00,095 --> 00:13:03,148 Killing more than an estimated half million 273 00:13:03,182 --> 00:13:06,234 German, italian and french civilians. 274 00:13:06,268 --> 00:13:10,488 And it forced the luftwaffe to divert forces 275 00:13:10,539 --> 00:13:13,107 To defend the mainland, making them unavailable 276 00:13:13,125 --> 00:13:15,160 For the soviet front. 277 00:13:15,194 --> 00:13:18,880 But defending itself and repairing damage 278 00:13:18,914 --> 00:13:22,050 May have cost the germans less than the allies spent 279 00:13:22,084 --> 00:13:23,952 To wreak such damage. 280 00:13:23,986 --> 00:13:26,654 Over 79,000 u.S. 281 00:13:26,689 --> 00:13:29,290 And an equal number of british air crew members 282 00:13:29,325 --> 00:13:30,792 Were killed in action. 283 00:13:30,826 --> 00:13:34,395 Even churchill wondered out loud in 1943, 284 00:13:34,430 --> 00:13:35,864 "are we beasts? 285 00:13:35,898 --> 00:13:38,583 Are we taking this too far?" 286 00:13:38,617 --> 00:13:42,537 By mid-April, there was simply nothing worthwhile left 287 00:13:42,571 --> 00:13:44,939 To destroy in germany. 288 00:13:44,974 --> 00:13:46,524 Lemay argued... 289 00:13:46,559 --> 00:13:48,860 Lemay: You gotta kill people. And when you kill enough, 290 00:13:48,894 --> 00:13:50,995 They stop fighting. 291 00:13:51,030 --> 00:13:54,332 Stone: In late 1944, the man the japanese came to know 292 00:13:54,366 --> 00:13:56,467 As "demon lemay" 293 00:13:56,502 --> 00:13:58,269 Was transferred to the pacific 294 00:13:58,304 --> 00:14:00,738 Where he bombed japanese civilians 295 00:14:00,773 --> 00:14:03,007 With a ferocity never before witnessed 296 00:14:03,042 --> 00:14:04,809 In the annals of war. 297 00:14:04,844 --> 00:14:07,829 More explicit than the british area bombing, 298 00:14:07,863 --> 00:14:10,682 Lemay called it "terror bombing." 299 00:14:13,385 --> 00:14:15,286 In that year, the u.S. Was capturing 300 00:14:15,337 --> 00:14:18,306 More and more japanese-occupied territories, 301 00:14:18,340 --> 00:14:22,176 Bringing japan itself within range of u.S. Bombers. 302 00:14:22,211 --> 00:14:25,513 And on the night of March 9th, 1945, 303 00:14:25,548 --> 00:14:28,783 Lemay sent 330 planes over tokyo, 304 00:14:28,817 --> 00:14:30,351 The imperial capital... 305 00:14:32,221 --> 00:14:34,055 Carrying incendiary bombs, 306 00:14:34,089 --> 00:14:36,791 Consisting of napalm, thermite, 307 00:14:36,825 --> 00:14:37,959 White phosphorous, 308 00:14:37,993 --> 00:14:40,812 And other inflammable material. 309 00:14:45,100 --> 00:14:49,087 Tokyo was a thousand-year-old concentration of bamboo and wood. 310 00:14:49,121 --> 00:14:52,190 It was called a paper city. 311 00:14:52,224 --> 00:14:55,193 B-29s destroyed 16 square miles, 312 00:14:55,227 --> 00:14:57,996 Killing up to 100,000 civilians 313 00:14:58,030 --> 00:15:01,482 And leaving an estimated one million homeless. 314 00:15:01,517 --> 00:15:04,469 The scalding inferno caused canals to boil, 315 00:15:04,520 --> 00:15:07,138 Metal to melt, and people to burst 316 00:15:07,189 --> 00:15:09,807 Spontaneously into flames. 317 00:15:09,842 --> 00:15:12,343 The stench of burning flesh was so powerful 318 00:15:12,378 --> 00:15:16,281 That crew members vomited in their planes. 319 00:15:16,315 --> 00:15:19,951 The tokyo raid was to be known as lemay's masterpiece. 320 00:15:19,985 --> 00:15:21,286 He said... 321 00:15:21,320 --> 00:15:22,954 Lemay: To confuse morality 322 00:15:22,988 --> 00:15:25,556 With what we were doing-- nuts. 323 00:15:25,591 --> 00:15:28,693 Stone: The american air force actually firebombed 324 00:15:28,727 --> 00:15:31,713 Up to an estimated 100 japanese cities, 325 00:15:31,747 --> 00:15:34,582 Some of no military significance, 326 00:15:34,617 --> 00:15:38,486 Taking more than an estimated half million lives. 327 00:15:38,520 --> 00:15:40,488 Almost no one objected to the slaughter bombing 328 00:15:40,522 --> 00:15:41,973 Of japanese civilians. 329 00:15:42,024 --> 00:15:44,592 It was, as one brigadier general said, 330 00:15:44,610 --> 00:15:46,461 "one of the most ruthless and barbaric 331 00:15:46,495 --> 00:15:49,847 Killings of non-combatants in all history." 332 00:15:49,898 --> 00:15:54,652 Destruction reached 99.5% in the city of toyama. 333 00:15:54,687 --> 00:15:57,789 Secretary of war henry stimson told truman 334 00:15:57,823 --> 00:16:00,158 He did not want to have the u.S. Get the reputation 335 00:16:00,192 --> 00:16:02,360 Of outdoing hitler in atrocities. 336 00:16:03,846 --> 00:16:06,798 Seeing through the prism of the terrible destruction 337 00:16:06,832 --> 00:16:09,317 Being wrought by lemay's terror bombing, 338 00:16:09,351 --> 00:16:11,970 The atomic bomb can be viewed 339 00:16:12,004 --> 00:16:14,472 As a chilling, if logical, next step. 340 00:16:15,908 --> 00:16:17,759 But as it crept closer, 341 00:16:17,793 --> 00:16:20,845 Many scientists began to squirm. 342 00:16:20,879 --> 00:16:22,863 Leo szilard and others 343 00:16:22,881 --> 00:16:25,183 Understood implicitly that this bomb they were building 344 00:16:25,217 --> 00:16:28,803 Was a primitive prototype to what was to follow. 345 00:16:28,837 --> 00:16:32,640 Szilard, nobel prize-winning chemist harold urey, 346 00:16:32,675 --> 00:16:34,375 And astronomer walter bartky 347 00:16:34,410 --> 00:16:36,044 Attempted to see truman 348 00:16:36,078 --> 00:16:38,012 To caution against use of the bomb. 349 00:16:38,047 --> 00:16:40,498 But they were rerouted to south carolina 350 00:16:40,532 --> 00:16:42,100 To speak with byrnes, 351 00:16:42,134 --> 00:16:44,852 Whose response appalled szilard. 352 00:16:44,886 --> 00:16:46,070 Szilard: Mr. Byrnes knew at that time, 353 00:16:46,105 --> 00:16:47,655 As the rest of the government knew, 354 00:16:47,690 --> 00:16:49,991 That japan was essentially defeated. 355 00:16:50,025 --> 00:16:51,893 He was much concerned about the spreading 356 00:16:51,927 --> 00:16:53,361 Of russian influence in europe 357 00:16:53,395 --> 00:16:55,997 And that our possessing and demonstrating the bomb 358 00:16:56,031 --> 00:16:58,433 Would make russia more manageable. 359 00:16:58,467 --> 00:17:00,268 Stone: Leslie groves also admitted 360 00:17:00,302 --> 00:17:03,805 That in his mind, russia had always been the enemy. 361 00:17:03,839 --> 00:17:05,740 Groves: There was never, from about two weeks 362 00:17:05,774 --> 00:17:08,009 From the time I took charge of this project, 363 00:17:08,043 --> 00:17:10,011 Any illusion on my part 364 00:17:10,045 --> 00:17:11,879 That russia was our enemy, 365 00:17:11,914 --> 00:17:14,849 And the project was conducted on that basis. 366 00:17:14,883 --> 00:17:17,952 Stone: In June, scientists at chicago's met lab 367 00:17:17,986 --> 00:17:21,789 Drafted a report warning that a nuclear attack on japan 368 00:17:21,824 --> 00:17:25,143 Would not only destroy america's moral position, 369 00:17:25,177 --> 00:17:27,812 But would instigate a nuclear arms race 370 00:17:27,846 --> 00:17:29,147 With the soviet union. 371 00:17:32,317 --> 00:17:36,020 The report also noted that because there was no secret to the bomb, 372 00:17:36,055 --> 00:17:38,506 The soviet union would soon catch up. 373 00:17:38,540 --> 00:17:41,442 When security officers banned its circulation, 374 00:17:41,477 --> 00:17:44,445 Szilard drafted a petition to truman 375 00:17:44,480 --> 00:17:48,850 Signed by 155 project scientists. 376 00:17:48,884 --> 00:17:51,185 But robert oppenheimer barred its circulation 377 00:17:51,220 --> 00:17:53,588 At los alamos and alerted groves, 378 00:17:53,622 --> 00:17:57,658 Who made sure the petition did not reach truman. 379 00:17:57,693 --> 00:18:00,595 Groves' security agents had been conducting 380 00:18:00,629 --> 00:18:02,663 Extensive surveillance of szilard 381 00:18:02,698 --> 00:18:04,165 Throughout the war. 382 00:18:04,199 --> 00:18:06,601 And at one point, groves had labeled szilard 383 00:18:06,635 --> 00:18:08,886 An "enemy alien" and requested 384 00:18:08,921 --> 00:18:12,740 That he be interned for the duration of the war. 385 00:18:12,775 --> 00:18:14,459 In may '45, 386 00:18:14,493 --> 00:18:17,061 General marshall supported oppenheimer's suggestion 387 00:18:17,096 --> 00:18:20,598 To share information with soviet scientists. 388 00:18:20,632 --> 00:18:25,153 If not, his proposal to invite soviet observers to the test, 389 00:18:25,187 --> 00:18:29,223 But byrnes in any case vetoed the whole idea. 390 00:18:29,257 --> 00:18:32,760 The bomb's use now seemed inexorable, unstoppable. 391 00:18:32,778 --> 00:18:34,679 And it came to an apocalyptic head 392 00:18:34,713 --> 00:18:36,330 In potsdam in July 393 00:18:36,348 --> 00:18:38,633 Where the big three were discussing the shape 394 00:18:38,667 --> 00:18:40,968 Of the postwar world. 395 00:18:41,003 --> 00:18:44,271 It was the perfect place to reveal the existence of the bomb. 396 00:18:46,341 --> 00:18:50,561 The conference setting was strange and otherworldly. 397 00:18:50,612 --> 00:18:54,515 Soviet troops occupied the wrecked capital of berlin. 398 00:18:54,549 --> 00:18:56,901 Truman had said his primary reason 399 00:18:56,935 --> 00:19:00,438 For going to potsdam was to insure the soviet entry 400 00:19:00,472 --> 00:19:02,456 Into the pacific war, 401 00:19:02,491 --> 00:19:06,060 An assurance that stalin was ready to give again. 402 00:19:06,094 --> 00:19:07,795 Truman wrote in his diary... 403 00:19:07,830 --> 00:19:10,464 Truman: He'll be in the jap war on August 15th. 404 00:19:10,499 --> 00:19:12,433 Fini japs when that comes about. 405 00:19:12,467 --> 00:19:15,720 Stone: Allied intelligence concurred, reporting... 406 00:19:24,530 --> 00:19:26,814 Yet, it was clear to most that the japanese 407 00:19:26,849 --> 00:19:28,549 Were already finished. 408 00:19:28,584 --> 00:19:30,351 By the end of 1944, 409 00:19:30,385 --> 00:19:33,087 The japanese navy had been decimated, 410 00:19:33,121 --> 00:19:34,755 The air force badly weakened, 411 00:19:34,790 --> 00:19:37,542 The railroad transit system in tatters, 412 00:19:37,593 --> 00:19:39,827 The food supply shrunk, 413 00:19:39,845 --> 00:19:42,346 Public morale plummeting. 414 00:19:42,397 --> 00:19:45,299 Upon germany's defeat, the russian army began gathering 415 00:19:45,334 --> 00:19:48,836 In siberia in enormous numbers, preparing to invade 416 00:19:48,871 --> 00:19:50,972 Japanese occupied manchuria 417 00:19:51,006 --> 00:19:54,475 In early August of 1945. 418 00:19:54,509 --> 00:19:56,978 In February of that year, prince konoe, 419 00:19:57,012 --> 00:19:59,747 The former prime minister had written to the emperor... 420 00:19:59,781 --> 00:20:01,749 ( speaking japanese ) 421 00:20:05,137 --> 00:20:08,472 Stone: In may, japan's supreme war council decided 422 00:20:08,507 --> 00:20:11,191 To feel out the soviets for peace terms. 423 00:20:11,210 --> 00:20:14,378 They wanted not only to keep the u.S.S.R. Out of their war, 424 00:20:14,429 --> 00:20:18,182 But also to see if the soviets could help secure 425 00:20:18,217 --> 00:20:21,686 Better surrender terms from the americans. 426 00:20:21,720 --> 00:20:24,922 This was a delicate negotiation, 427 00:20:24,957 --> 00:20:28,125 But american intelligence had been intercepting 428 00:20:28,176 --> 00:20:31,362 Japanese cables since the start of the war. 429 00:20:31,396 --> 00:20:34,165 And a July 18 cable from tokyo 430 00:20:34,199 --> 00:20:37,335 To the japanese ambassador in moscow 431 00:20:37,369 --> 00:20:40,938 Seeking surrender terms said unequivocally, 432 00:20:40,973 --> 00:20:44,842 "unconditional surrender is the only obstacle to peace." 433 00:20:46,111 --> 00:20:49,080 Truman, unambiguously characterized this 434 00:20:49,114 --> 00:20:52,500 As the "telegram from the jap emperor 435 00:20:52,534 --> 00:20:55,703 Asking for peace." 436 00:20:55,721 --> 00:20:57,421 Forrestal noted evidence 437 00:20:57,472 --> 00:21:00,424 Of a japanese desire to get out of the war. 438 00:21:00,459 --> 00:21:04,295 Stimson described japanese maneuverings for peace. 439 00:21:04,329 --> 00:21:08,499 Byrnes pointed to japanese peace feelers. 440 00:21:08,533 --> 00:21:11,235 They all knew the japanese were finished. 441 00:21:11,270 --> 00:21:13,104 The end was near. 442 00:21:13,138 --> 00:21:15,756 And several of truman's close advisors 443 00:21:15,790 --> 00:21:19,710 Urged him to modify the unconditional surrender 444 00:21:19,745 --> 00:21:22,730 To signal that japan could keep its emperor 445 00:21:22,764 --> 00:21:24,015 And speed the end of the war. 446 00:21:25,884 --> 00:21:28,719 To the people, the emperor was a sacred figure, 447 00:21:28,754 --> 00:21:31,856 And the center of their shinto religion. 448 00:21:33,709 --> 00:21:36,210 To see him hanged like mussolini in Italy 449 00:21:36,244 --> 00:21:38,746 Or humiliated in a war trial 450 00:21:38,764 --> 00:21:41,048 Would be more than they could bear. 451 00:21:41,083 --> 00:21:42,950 Macarthur's command reported, 452 00:21:42,984 --> 00:21:45,086 "the hanging of the emperor to them 453 00:21:45,120 --> 00:21:49,874 Would be comparable to the crucifixion of christ to us. 454 00:21:49,908 --> 00:21:52,610 All would fight to die like ants." 455 00:21:55,881 --> 00:22:00,151 But jimmy byrnes told truman that he would be 456 00:22:00,185 --> 00:22:04,755 Crucified politically if the imperial system was retained. 457 00:22:04,806 --> 00:22:07,475 Once again, his advice prevailed. 458 00:22:07,509 --> 00:22:10,444 Truman and byrnes believed they had a way to speed 459 00:22:10,479 --> 00:22:12,780 Japanese surrender on american terms 460 00:22:12,814 --> 00:22:15,032 Without soviet help, 461 00:22:15,067 --> 00:22:17,902 Thereby denying the u.S.S.R. 462 00:22:17,936 --> 00:22:20,855 The territorial and economic concessions 463 00:22:20,889 --> 00:22:23,157 Promised by roosevelt. 464 00:22:23,191 --> 00:22:26,093 Truman had delayed the start of potsdam 465 00:22:26,128 --> 00:22:27,728 For two weeks, 466 00:22:27,763 --> 00:22:32,199 Giving the scientists time to ready the bomb test. 467 00:22:32,234 --> 00:22:33,801 It worked. 468 00:22:33,835 --> 00:22:35,870 Stimson gave him the news. 469 00:22:35,904 --> 00:22:39,457 The conference began the very next day. 470 00:22:39,491 --> 00:22:41,726 He later read the full report. 471 00:22:41,760 --> 00:22:46,263 The test was terrifying, almost beyond comprehension. 472 00:22:46,298 --> 00:22:49,600 Truman's demeanor changed completely. 473 00:22:49,651 --> 00:22:52,686 Churchill was stunned by the transformation. 474 00:22:52,720 --> 00:22:54,405 Churchill: I couldn't understand it. 475 00:22:54,439 --> 00:22:56,273 He was a changed man. 476 00:22:56,324 --> 00:23:00,161 He told the russians just where they got on and off 477 00:23:00,195 --> 00:23:02,747 And generally bossed the whole meeting. 478 00:23:02,781 --> 00:23:06,500 Stone: On the 24th of July, truman informed stalin 479 00:23:06,535 --> 00:23:09,036 That the United States was in possession 480 00:23:09,071 --> 00:23:12,640 Of a new weapon of unusual destructive force. 481 00:23:12,674 --> 00:23:15,876 Mr. President, I remember you told stalin at potsdam 482 00:23:15,911 --> 00:23:17,845 That we had the atomic bomb. 483 00:23:17,879 --> 00:23:19,380 - Yes. - Did he seem to be impressed 484 00:23:19,414 --> 00:23:22,249 - At that time? - No. I don't think 485 00:23:22,284 --> 00:23:24,018 He quite understood what I was talking about. 486 00:23:24,052 --> 00:23:27,822 I told him that we had discovered a tremendously powerful explosive 487 00:23:27,856 --> 00:23:31,325 And that we proposed to use it to end the war with japan. 488 00:23:31,359 --> 00:23:33,661 And he smiled and said that he was very happy to hear it, 489 00:23:33,695 --> 00:23:35,796 Then the conversation ended and I went my way 490 00:23:35,831 --> 00:23:37,098 And he went his. 491 00:23:38,567 --> 00:23:41,001 Stone: But truman was naive in this matter. 492 00:23:41,036 --> 00:23:44,405 Klaus fuchs, a man of ideological conviction 493 00:23:44,439 --> 00:23:46,740 Who was part of the british scientific mission 494 00:23:46,775 --> 00:23:48,075 At alamogordo, 495 00:23:48,110 --> 00:23:49,877 Had delivered technical information 496 00:23:49,895 --> 00:23:53,681 Relating to the bomb to his soviet handlers. 497 00:23:53,715 --> 00:23:57,284 Stalin already knew when the test had been scheduled 498 00:23:57,302 --> 00:24:00,738 And now was being told it had succeeded. 499 00:24:00,772 --> 00:24:03,491 Anthony eden, british foreign secretary, 500 00:24:03,525 --> 00:24:05,609 Noted stalin's response to truman 501 00:24:05,660 --> 00:24:08,496 Was a nod and a muttered "thank you." 502 00:24:08,530 --> 00:24:11,482 Apparently, once he stepped away from the conference, 503 00:24:11,516 --> 00:24:14,351 Stalin called his secret police chief, 504 00:24:14,386 --> 00:24:17,755 Beria, and scolded him for not having told him 505 00:24:17,789 --> 00:24:20,191 Of the success of the test before truman. 506 00:24:20,225 --> 00:24:23,027 Foreign minister andrei gromyko reported 507 00:24:23,061 --> 00:24:25,162 That when stalin returned to his villa, 508 00:24:25,197 --> 00:24:28,365 He remarked that the americans would use their atomic monopoly 509 00:24:28,400 --> 00:24:31,235 Now to dictate terms in europe. 510 00:24:31,269 --> 00:24:33,737 But that he wouldn't give in to that blackmail. 511 00:24:33,772 --> 00:24:35,573 He ordered soviet military forces 512 00:24:35,607 --> 00:24:38,175 To speed their entry into the asian war 513 00:24:38,210 --> 00:24:40,444 And he ordered soviet scientists 514 00:24:40,479 --> 00:24:42,730 To pick up the pace of their research. 515 00:24:42,764 --> 00:24:44,648 Truman's behavior at potsdam 516 00:24:44,683 --> 00:24:47,184 Reinforced stalin's belief that the u.S. 517 00:24:47,219 --> 00:24:49,119 Intended to end the war quickly, 518 00:24:49,154 --> 00:24:53,324 And renege on its promised concessions in the pacific. 519 00:24:53,358 --> 00:24:55,793 On July the 25th, truman approved 520 00:24:55,827 --> 00:24:58,462 A directive signed by stimson and marshall 521 00:24:58,497 --> 00:25:01,532 Ordering the atomic bomb to be used against japan 522 00:25:01,566 --> 00:25:03,934 As soon after August 3rd 523 00:25:03,969 --> 00:25:06,270 As the weather permitted. 524 00:25:06,304 --> 00:25:09,206 He and byrnes fully expected the japanese government 525 00:25:09,241 --> 00:25:11,775 To reject the potsdam declaration, 526 00:25:11,810 --> 00:25:15,546 Which failed to give any reassurances about the emperor. 527 00:25:15,580 --> 00:25:17,481 The u.S. Even vetoed 528 00:25:17,516 --> 00:25:20,618 Stalin's wish to sign the declaration. 529 00:25:20,652 --> 00:25:24,154 Adding stalin's signature would have signaled the japanese 530 00:25:24,189 --> 00:25:28,359 That the soviet union was about to come into the war. 531 00:25:28,393 --> 00:25:30,761 It was incredibly underhanded behavior 532 00:25:30,795 --> 00:25:33,230 By the u.S. Both towards the japanese 533 00:25:33,265 --> 00:25:35,099 And the u.S.S.R. 534 00:25:35,133 --> 00:25:36,500 While the hours were ticking off 535 00:25:36,535 --> 00:25:39,169 Until the atomic bomb was ready to use, 536 00:25:39,204 --> 00:25:41,572 The absence of a soviet signature 537 00:25:41,606 --> 00:25:43,991 Was encouraging the japanese 538 00:25:44,025 --> 00:25:46,510 To continue their futile diplomatic efforts 539 00:25:46,545 --> 00:25:50,381 Since may of that year to keep the soviets out of the war, 540 00:25:50,415 --> 00:25:52,583 Knowing that the entry of their giant army 541 00:25:52,617 --> 00:25:56,003 Would crush the japanese empire. 542 00:25:56,021 --> 00:25:58,255 Stimson, who had serious misgivings 543 00:25:58,290 --> 00:26:01,792 About using the bomb-- referring to it as "the dreadful, 544 00:26:01,826 --> 00:26:04,261 The terrible, the diabolical"-- 545 00:26:04,296 --> 00:26:06,997 Repeatedly tried to convince truman and byrnes 546 00:26:07,032 --> 00:26:10,067 To assure the japanese about the emperor, 547 00:26:10,101 --> 00:26:13,070 But it was an exercise in futility. 548 00:26:13,104 --> 00:26:16,357 When stimson complained to truman about being ignored, 549 00:26:16,391 --> 00:26:19,760 Truman told his elderly, frail secretary of war 550 00:26:19,794 --> 00:26:23,664 That if he didn't like it, he could pack his bags and go home. 551 00:26:23,698 --> 00:26:25,833 Though truman always somewhat proudly 552 00:26:25,867 --> 00:26:28,201 Accepted responsibility for his decision, 553 00:26:28,219 --> 00:26:32,506 Groves, who drafted the final order to drop the bomb, 554 00:26:32,540 --> 00:26:35,843 Contended that truman really didn't decide. 555 00:26:35,877 --> 00:26:37,244 Groves: As far as I was concerned, 556 00:26:37,279 --> 00:26:40,114 His decision was one of non-interference. 557 00:26:40,148 --> 00:26:44,952 Basically, a decision not to upset the existing plans. 558 00:26:44,986 --> 00:26:49,323 Truman did not so much say "yes," as not say "no." 559 00:26:49,357 --> 00:26:53,160 Stone: He described truman scornfully as a little boy on a toboggan. 560 00:26:55,497 --> 00:26:58,782 Truman's attitude in all this was puzzling. 561 00:26:58,817 --> 00:27:00,934 Though at times treating the bomb as a poker hand 562 00:27:00,969 --> 00:27:03,337 To hold over stalin's head, 563 00:27:03,355 --> 00:27:07,007 He also understood that it was really a sword of damocles 564 00:27:07,042 --> 00:27:09,793 Hanging over all humanity. 565 00:27:09,828 --> 00:27:11,929 He wrote in his potsdam diary... 566 00:27:11,963 --> 00:27:14,264 Truman: We have discovered the most terrible bomb 567 00:27:14,299 --> 00:27:16,200 In the history of the world. 568 00:27:16,234 --> 00:27:18,202 It may be the fire destruction 569 00:27:18,236 --> 00:27:20,938 Prophesied in the euphrates valley era, 570 00:27:20,972 --> 00:27:23,674 After noah and his fabulous ark. 571 00:27:23,708 --> 00:27:26,610 Stone: Six of america's seven five-star officers 572 00:27:26,661 --> 00:27:29,296 Who received their final star in world war ii 573 00:27:29,331 --> 00:27:32,349 Declared the bomb morally reprehensible, 574 00:27:32,384 --> 00:27:34,585 Militarily unnecessary 575 00:27:34,619 --> 00:27:35,753 Or both. 576 00:27:35,787 --> 00:27:37,688 Eisenhower said... 577 00:27:37,722 --> 00:27:39,056 Eisenhower: So then stimson told me 578 00:27:39,090 --> 00:27:41,825 They were going to drop it on the japanese. 579 00:27:41,860 --> 00:27:44,628 I listened. I didn't volunteer anything 580 00:27:44,663 --> 00:27:48,048 Because after all, my war was over in europe 581 00:27:48,066 --> 00:27:50,601 And it wasn't up to me. 582 00:27:50,635 --> 00:27:53,253 But I was against it on two counts. 583 00:27:53,288 --> 00:27:56,190 First, the japanese were ready to surrender, 584 00:27:56,224 --> 00:28:00,694 And it wasn't necessary to hit them with that awful thing. 585 00:28:00,728 --> 00:28:03,230 Second, I hated to see our country 586 00:28:03,264 --> 00:28:06,884 Be the first to use such a weapon. 587 00:28:06,918 --> 00:28:11,405 Stone: General macarthur, supreme commander of allied forces in the pacific, 588 00:28:11,423 --> 00:28:13,841 Considered the bomb completely unnecessary 589 00:28:13,875 --> 00:28:16,477 From a military point of view. 590 00:28:16,511 --> 00:28:19,646 He later said that the japanese would have surrendered in may 591 00:28:19,681 --> 00:28:23,517 If the u.S. Had told them they could keep the emperor. 592 00:28:23,551 --> 00:28:25,285 Opposition was sufficiently known 593 00:28:25,320 --> 00:28:27,955 That groves imposed a requirement 594 00:28:27,989 --> 00:28:30,023 That u.S. Commanders in the field 595 00:28:30,058 --> 00:28:32,492 Clear all statements on the bombings 596 00:28:32,510 --> 00:28:33,994 With the war department. 597 00:28:34,012 --> 00:28:36,830 After three years of the highest tension-- 598 00:28:36,865 --> 00:28:38,966 Groves: We didn't want macarthur and others saying 599 00:28:39,000 --> 00:28:41,635 The war could have been won without the bomb. 600 00:28:41,669 --> 00:28:44,822 Stone: Ironically, shortly after the war was over, 601 00:28:44,856 --> 00:28:47,624 General curtis "demon" lemay said... 602 00:28:47,659 --> 00:28:49,626 Lemay: Even without the atomic bomb 603 00:28:49,661 --> 00:28:51,829 And the russian entry into the war, 604 00:28:51,863 --> 00:28:54,898 Japan would have surrendered in two weeks. 605 00:28:54,933 --> 00:28:56,567 The atomic bomb had nothing to do 606 00:28:56,601 --> 00:28:57,768 With the end of the war. 607 00:29:01,005 --> 00:29:04,374 Stone: The target committee had selected a number of sites 608 00:29:04,409 --> 00:29:07,694 On the japanese mainland. 609 00:29:07,729 --> 00:29:09,446 Stimson removed kyoto, 610 00:29:09,481 --> 00:29:12,866 The ancient cultural capital, which was spared its fate 611 00:29:12,901 --> 00:29:15,569 Over the strong opposition of groves. 612 00:29:15,603 --> 00:29:19,740 It was the city of hiroshima that was decided upon. 613 00:29:19,774 --> 00:29:21,809 It had been deliberately left undamaged 614 00:29:21,843 --> 00:29:24,144 By lemay's bombers. 615 00:29:24,179 --> 00:29:26,814 Here the u.S. Could showcase its new weapon. 616 00:29:34,055 --> 00:29:36,824 On August 6th at 2:45 a.M., 617 00:29:36,858 --> 00:29:40,227 Three b-29s took off from the island of tinian 618 00:29:40,261 --> 00:29:42,162 For japan. 619 00:29:42,197 --> 00:29:44,498 The lead plane, the enola gay, 620 00:29:44,532 --> 00:29:48,469 Carried the uranium bomb little boy. 621 00:29:48,503 --> 00:29:51,738 Pilot paul tibbets named the plane 622 00:29:51,756 --> 00:29:53,707 After his mother. 623 00:29:53,741 --> 00:29:56,610 Six and a half hours later, the enola gay 624 00:29:56,644 --> 00:29:58,479 Came into sight of its target. 625 00:29:58,513 --> 00:30:00,914 The doomed city lay quiet 626 00:30:00,949 --> 00:30:03,851 In the flooding early morning sunshine. 627 00:30:03,885 --> 00:30:06,570 Hiroshima's 300,000 civilians, 628 00:30:06,604 --> 00:30:08,305 43,000 soldiers, 629 00:30:08,339 --> 00:30:11,792 And 45,000 korean slave laborers 630 00:30:11,826 --> 00:30:15,112 Were just beginning their day. 631 00:30:15,146 --> 00:30:18,448 The target was a bridge near the center of the city. 632 00:30:20,685 --> 00:30:23,003 At 8:15, right on schedule, 633 00:30:23,037 --> 00:30:26,056 The giant plane went into its bombing run 634 00:30:26,090 --> 00:30:27,874 At 31,000 feet, 635 00:30:27,892 --> 00:30:30,344 Speed 330 miles per hour. 636 00:30:39,170 --> 00:30:42,039 As the bomb was released, the plane twisted violently 637 00:30:42,073 --> 00:30:45,242 To get as far as possible from the blast. 638 00:30:47,929 --> 00:30:50,564 At the last minute, a gust of wind blew the bomb 639 00:30:50,598 --> 00:30:52,900 Carrying it toward shima hospital 640 00:30:52,934 --> 00:30:54,551 At one end of the bridge. 641 00:30:54,586 --> 00:30:58,755 The bomb fell almost five miles to 2,000 feet 642 00:30:58,790 --> 00:31:01,592 And then the two masses of uranium 643 00:31:01,626 --> 00:31:03,710 Came together at lightning speed 644 00:31:03,745 --> 00:31:05,546 And turned to energy. 645 00:31:13,555 --> 00:31:16,056 The plane, now nine miles away 646 00:31:16,090 --> 00:31:18,191 Was battered by the shockwave. 647 00:31:18,226 --> 00:31:20,060 The fireball expanded outward 648 00:31:20,094 --> 00:31:23,447 Enveloping the densely populated center of the city. 649 00:31:23,481 --> 00:31:25,649 Its intense heat and blast 650 00:31:25,700 --> 00:31:27,534 Driving outward to shatter buildings 651 00:31:27,569 --> 00:31:29,669 And ignite all debris. 652 00:31:29,687 --> 00:31:32,406 The bomb totally destroyed an area 653 00:31:32,440 --> 00:31:37,094 Extending approximately 1.2 miles in all directions. 654 00:31:40,114 --> 00:31:41,665 An hour and a half later, 655 00:31:41,716 --> 00:31:44,201 From almost 400 miles away, 656 00:31:44,235 --> 00:31:48,138 The crew could look back and still see the mushroom cloud 657 00:31:48,172 --> 00:31:52,743 Rearing up to 40,000 feet or more. 658 00:31:52,777 --> 00:31:57,948 At the hypocenter where temperatures reached 5,400° fahrenheit, 659 00:31:57,982 --> 00:32:01,818 The fireball roasted people to bundles of smoking black char 660 00:32:01,853 --> 00:32:06,390 In a fraction of a second as their internal organs boiled away. 661 00:32:06,424 --> 00:32:08,725 Tens of thousands were killed instantly. 662 00:32:08,760 --> 00:32:13,363 An estimated 140,000 were dead by the end of the year 663 00:32:13,398 --> 00:32:17,367 And 200,000 by 1950. 664 00:32:17,402 --> 00:32:22,306 The u.S. Officially reported only 3,243 665 00:32:22,340 --> 00:32:25,075 Japanese troops killed. 666 00:32:25,109 --> 00:32:28,578 Among the casualties were 23 american prisoners of war. 667 00:32:28,613 --> 00:32:31,315 Some of whom survived the blast 668 00:32:31,349 --> 00:32:34,785 Only to be beaten to death by bomb survivors. 669 00:32:34,836 --> 00:32:38,071 When the bomb had exploded at hiroshima, 670 00:32:38,106 --> 00:32:42,409 Truman, aboard the augusta, had gone from one crew member to another 671 00:32:42,427 --> 00:32:45,478 Telling them the great news like a town crier. 672 00:32:45,496 --> 00:32:48,448 Truman: This is the greatest thing in history. 673 00:32:48,482 --> 00:32:50,534 Stone: Responding to this, 674 00:32:50,568 --> 00:32:54,154 Catholic layworker and pacifist dorothy day wrote... 675 00:32:54,188 --> 00:32:58,492 Day: We have killed 318,000 japanese. 676 00:32:58,526 --> 00:33:01,028 Mr. Truman was jubilant. 677 00:33:01,062 --> 00:33:04,164 President truman-- true man. 678 00:33:04,198 --> 00:33:07,167 What a strange name, come to think of it. 679 00:33:07,201 --> 00:33:10,404 We refer to jesus christ as true god 680 00:33:10,438 --> 00:33:11,738 And true man. 681 00:33:11,772 --> 00:33:14,758 Truman is a true man of his time 682 00:33:14,792 --> 00:33:17,928 In that he was jubilant. 683 00:33:17,962 --> 00:33:21,848 Stone: But the japanese did not surrender. 684 00:33:21,866 --> 00:33:25,185 Stalin, honoring his pledge to roosevelt 685 00:33:25,219 --> 00:33:27,754 And having now moved one and a half million men 686 00:33:27,789 --> 00:33:31,658 To the eastern front, attacked japan on August 9th 687 00:33:31,693 --> 00:33:34,561 On three fronts in manchuria. 688 00:33:34,595 --> 00:33:36,263 The fighting was bloody. 689 00:33:42,754 --> 00:33:45,856 The kwantung army was practically obliterated. 690 00:33:45,890 --> 00:33:51,161 Estimates range up to 700,000 japanese killed, wounded and captured. 691 00:33:51,195 --> 00:33:53,814 Stalin also attacked in korea 692 00:33:53,848 --> 00:33:56,616 And in the kuril islands and sakhalin island. 693 00:34:00,054 --> 00:34:03,824 This enormous event has been mostly forgotten to history, 694 00:34:03,858 --> 00:34:06,827 Because later that morning on August 9, 695 00:34:06,861 --> 00:34:08,995 Before japan had time to react 696 00:34:09,030 --> 00:34:10,814 To the soviet invasion, 697 00:34:10,848 --> 00:34:13,083 The United States dropped its second bomb, 698 00:34:13,117 --> 00:34:18,021 An implosive plutonium bomb nicknamed "fat man," 699 00:34:18,056 --> 00:34:19,356 On the city of nagasaki. 700 00:34:25,747 --> 00:34:29,182 Exploding ironically over the largest catholic cathedral 701 00:34:29,217 --> 00:34:32,986 In asia, with a force of 22 kilotons, 702 00:34:33,020 --> 00:34:36,173 40,000 died immediately. 703 00:34:36,207 --> 00:34:38,909 Of them, 250 soldiers. 704 00:34:42,130 --> 00:34:44,197 Henry wallace wrote of truman and byrnes 705 00:34:44,232 --> 00:34:46,133 In his diary on August 10th, 706 00:34:46,167 --> 00:34:48,735 One day after nagasaki... 707 00:34:48,770 --> 00:34:51,938 Wallace: It is obvious that the attitude of truman, byrnes, 708 00:34:51,973 --> 00:34:54,341 And both the war and navy departments 709 00:34:54,375 --> 00:34:57,160 Will make for war eventually. 710 00:34:57,211 --> 00:34:59,596 Stone: Yet neither the announcement of nagasaki 711 00:34:59,630 --> 00:35:02,666 Or army minister anami's fallacious report 712 00:35:02,700 --> 00:35:06,136 That the u.S. Had 100 more atomic bombs 713 00:35:06,170 --> 00:35:10,941 Moved tokyo any closer to surrendering unconditionally. 714 00:35:10,975 --> 00:35:12,759 After all, japanese cities 715 00:35:12,794 --> 00:35:16,062 Were being wiped out all through 1945. 716 00:35:16,097 --> 00:35:18,632 200 planes and thousands of bombs 717 00:35:18,666 --> 00:35:20,167 Or one plane and one bomb-- 718 00:35:20,201 --> 00:35:22,502 It didn't seem to make a noticeable difference. 719 00:35:22,537 --> 00:35:25,772 For japanese leaders, the devastating news on August 9 720 00:35:25,807 --> 00:35:29,643 Was the soviet invasion. 721 00:35:29,677 --> 00:35:32,662 Nagasaki was just one more city that was destroyed. 722 00:35:34,215 --> 00:35:37,384 But the red army easily overwhelming japanese forces 723 00:35:37,418 --> 00:35:39,452 In their richest colony, 724 00:35:39,487 --> 00:35:41,721 The puppet state of manchukuo, 725 00:35:41,756 --> 00:35:43,290 Was cause for alarm. 726 00:35:48,896 --> 00:35:52,265 General kawabe, the army deputy chief of staff 727 00:35:52,300 --> 00:35:54,067 Explained... 728 00:35:54,101 --> 00:35:57,003 Kawabe: It was only in a gradual manner 729 00:35:57,038 --> 00:35:59,472 That the horrible wreckage which had been made 730 00:35:59,507 --> 00:36:02,075 Of hiroshima became known. 731 00:36:02,109 --> 00:36:05,345 In comparison, the soviet entry 732 00:36:05,379 --> 00:36:08,014 Into the war was a great shock, 733 00:36:08,049 --> 00:36:11,084 Because we had been in constant fear of it 734 00:36:11,118 --> 00:36:13,753 With a vivid imagination that the vast 735 00:36:13,788 --> 00:36:16,256 Red army forces in europe 736 00:36:16,290 --> 00:36:18,859 Were now being turned against us. 737 00:36:21,195 --> 00:36:23,163 Stone: Prime minister suzuki said... 738 00:36:23,197 --> 00:36:26,099 Suzuki: Japan must surrender immediately 739 00:36:26,133 --> 00:36:30,220 Or the soviet union will take not only manchuria, 740 00:36:30,254 --> 00:36:34,424 Korea, karafuto, but also hokkaido. 741 00:36:34,475 --> 00:36:38,395 This would destroy the foundation of japan. 742 00:36:38,429 --> 00:36:40,914 We must end the war 743 00:36:40,948 --> 00:36:44,434 When we can deal with the u.S. 744 00:36:44,468 --> 00:36:48,321 Stone: A top secret study done in January 1946 745 00:36:48,356 --> 00:36:50,807 By the intelligence staff of the war department's 746 00:36:50,858 --> 00:36:53,777 Operations division concludes... 747 00:37:13,164 --> 00:37:15,999 Not only would the soviets destroy their empire, 748 00:37:16,033 --> 00:37:17,884 But they would have no qualms 749 00:37:17,919 --> 00:37:20,570 About destroying the emperor himself. 750 00:37:20,605 --> 00:37:23,623 After all, they murdered their own emperor in 1918. 751 00:37:41,976 --> 00:37:44,294 On August 14th, five days after 752 00:37:44,328 --> 00:37:47,497 The second bomb was dropped at nagasaki, 753 00:37:47,531 --> 00:37:49,933 And with desperate fighting still raging 754 00:37:49,967 --> 00:37:52,902 Against the soviets, emperor hirohito 755 00:37:52,937 --> 00:37:55,238 Now exerted his personal power. 756 00:37:55,273 --> 00:37:57,841 For centuries, the japanese emperors 757 00:37:57,875 --> 00:37:59,976 Had lived without contact with their people, 758 00:38:00,011 --> 00:38:02,145 Revered as divine beings. 759 00:38:02,179 --> 00:38:04,364 But now, hirohito, 760 00:38:04,398 --> 00:38:07,801 Speaking to the japanese people directly, 761 00:38:07,835 --> 00:38:09,936 Ordered surrender over the radio. 762 00:38:09,971 --> 00:38:12,172 ( hirohito speaking japanese ) 763 00:38:14,041 --> 00:38:15,241 Stone: It was the first time 764 00:38:15,276 --> 00:38:17,711 Most of them had heard the voice of god. 765 00:38:26,286 --> 00:38:28,371 Macarthur: Let us pray that peace 766 00:38:28,406 --> 00:38:31,975 Be now restored to the world 767 00:38:32,009 --> 00:38:35,228 And that god will preserve it 768 00:38:35,262 --> 00:38:37,480 Always. 769 00:38:37,515 --> 00:38:42,152 These proceedings are closed. 770 00:38:42,186 --> 00:38:44,621 Stone: The horrors and bloodshed of world war ii 771 00:38:44,655 --> 00:38:48,158 Coarsened a lot of people to the suffering of others. 772 00:38:48,209 --> 00:38:51,294 Freeman dyson, the renowned future physicist 773 00:38:51,329 --> 00:38:53,229 Who was part of the tiger force fleet 774 00:38:53,264 --> 00:38:57,067 Of 300 british bombers explained... 775 00:38:57,101 --> 00:38:58,935 Dyson: I found this continuing slaughter 776 00:38:58,969 --> 00:39:00,303 Of defenseless japanese 777 00:39:00,338 --> 00:39:04,174 Even more sickening than the slaughter of germans, 778 00:39:04,208 --> 00:39:06,309 But still I did not quit. 779 00:39:06,344 --> 00:39:09,112 By that time, I had been at war so long 780 00:39:09,146 --> 00:39:12,449 That I could hardly remember peace. 781 00:39:12,500 --> 00:39:14,334 No living poet had words 782 00:39:14,368 --> 00:39:16,803 To describe that emptiness of the soul 783 00:39:16,837 --> 00:39:19,789 Which allowed me to go on killing without hatred 784 00:39:19,840 --> 00:39:22,008 And without remorse. 785 00:39:22,043 --> 00:39:24,127 But shakespeare understood it. 786 00:39:24,178 --> 00:39:26,179 And he gave macbeth the words... 787 00:39:41,295 --> 00:39:45,281 Stone: In that spirit, 85% of the american public, 788 00:39:45,316 --> 00:39:47,667 Convinced that the bombs had ended the war, 789 00:39:47,701 --> 00:39:50,103 Applauded their use. 790 00:39:50,121 --> 00:39:52,105 Murrow: When the bomb was dropped, 791 00:39:52,139 --> 00:39:56,326 The war was near to ending anyway. 792 00:39:56,360 --> 00:39:58,111 Was this the result of a miscalculation 793 00:39:58,145 --> 00:40:01,848 Of the japanese potential? Was our intelligence faulty in this area? 794 00:40:01,882 --> 00:40:06,453 It was done on the theory that the-- 795 00:40:06,487 --> 00:40:10,190 Our troops were expecting to invade japan 796 00:40:10,224 --> 00:40:11,775 In a very short time, 797 00:40:11,826 --> 00:40:13,326 And it was estimated that it would take 798 00:40:13,360 --> 00:40:16,112 About a million and a half men to make that invasion, 799 00:40:16,163 --> 00:40:19,082 And in all probability there'd be a half a million of them of casualties 800 00:40:19,116 --> 00:40:21,885 And 250,000 of them killed. 801 00:40:21,919 --> 00:40:24,187 And we had this powerful new weapon. 802 00:40:24,221 --> 00:40:26,856 I had no qualms about using it, 803 00:40:26,891 --> 00:40:29,959 Because a weapon of war 804 00:40:29,994 --> 00:40:31,861 Is a destructive weapon. 805 00:40:31,896 --> 00:40:33,396 That's the reason none of us want war 806 00:40:33,431 --> 00:40:35,131 And all of us are against war. 807 00:40:35,166 --> 00:40:37,534 But when you have the weapon that will win the war, 808 00:40:37,568 --> 00:40:39,669 You'd be foolish if you didn't use it. 809 00:40:41,305 --> 00:40:43,873 Stone: Truman's estimates of american casualties 810 00:40:43,924 --> 00:40:46,242 Kept climbing as the years went by. 811 00:41:07,198 --> 00:41:10,200 Almost 50 years later, in 1991, 812 00:41:10,234 --> 00:41:13,236 President george bush praised truman's 813 00:41:13,270 --> 00:41:15,071 "tough calculating decision 814 00:41:15,105 --> 00:41:18,074 Which spared millions of american lives." 815 00:41:20,678 --> 00:41:22,712 Controversy over the atomic bombings 816 00:41:22,746 --> 00:41:25,114 Continued to roil american society. 817 00:41:25,149 --> 00:41:26,783 Protests by the american legion, 818 00:41:26,817 --> 00:41:28,718 The air force association 819 00:41:28,752 --> 00:41:30,587 And congressional conservatives 820 00:41:30,621 --> 00:41:33,857 Forced the smithsonian air and space museum 821 00:41:33,891 --> 00:41:37,227 To cancel a 1995 exhibit on the bombings. 822 00:41:40,297 --> 00:41:42,532 Young second lieutenant paul fussell, 823 00:41:42,566 --> 00:41:44,667 Who was in the pacific at the time of the bombing, 824 00:41:44,702 --> 00:41:49,189 Published "thank god for the atom bomb" in 1988 825 00:41:49,223 --> 00:41:50,757 In which he wrote... 826 00:41:50,791 --> 00:41:53,826 Fussell: For all the fake manliness of our facades, 827 00:41:53,861 --> 00:41:56,246 We cried with relief and joy. 828 00:41:56,280 --> 00:41:58,147 We were going to live. 829 00:41:58,182 --> 00:42:02,352 We were going to grow up to adulthood after all. 830 00:42:02,386 --> 00:42:05,171 Stone: Like millions of others of his generation, 831 00:42:05,206 --> 00:42:06,906 And millions since, 832 00:42:06,940 --> 00:42:09,576 Fussell was convinced that truman and the bomb 833 00:42:09,610 --> 00:42:12,829 Saved them from invading japan. 834 00:42:12,880 --> 00:42:14,580 But attributing victory to the bomb 835 00:42:14,598 --> 00:42:16,566 In a sense insults the memory 836 00:42:16,617 --> 00:42:19,836 Of the many men and women who gave their lives 837 00:42:19,870 --> 00:42:23,172 To defeat the japanese year by grinding year. 838 00:42:25,993 --> 00:42:28,311 Robert oppenheimer met with henry wallace 839 00:42:28,345 --> 00:42:30,179 Shortly after the war, 840 00:42:30,214 --> 00:42:32,315 Deeply worried at the eventual slaughter 841 00:42:32,349 --> 00:42:34,450 Of tens of millions. 842 00:42:34,485 --> 00:42:36,686 Earlier that year, he informed 843 00:42:36,720 --> 00:42:38,655 Top military and civilian leaders 844 00:42:38,689 --> 00:42:40,323 That within three years, 845 00:42:40,357 --> 00:42:41,858 The u.S. Would likely have weapons 846 00:42:41,892 --> 00:42:45,562 Up to 7,000 times as powerful as the bomb 847 00:42:45,613 --> 00:42:47,363 That would destroy hiroshima. 848 00:42:48,566 --> 00:42:50,516 He proposed international control 849 00:42:50,534 --> 00:42:53,953 Of the atomic technology to assuage soviet fears 850 00:42:53,988 --> 00:42:56,155 Over u.S. Intentions. 851 00:42:56,189 --> 00:42:58,341 Wallace wrote in his diary... 852 00:42:58,375 --> 00:43:01,144 Wallace: The guilt consciousness of atomic scientists 853 00:43:01,178 --> 00:43:05,014 Is one of the most astounding things I have ever seen. 854 00:43:05,049 --> 00:43:06,616 Stone: He agreed with oppenheimer. 855 00:43:06,650 --> 00:43:09,018 What was needed was an olive branch. 856 00:43:09,053 --> 00:43:11,955 And it came from the most unexpected quarter. 857 00:43:12,006 --> 00:43:14,240 Henry stimson, "the colonel," 858 00:43:14,275 --> 00:43:16,376 Was a true old soldier, 859 00:43:16,410 --> 00:43:20,296 But he was terrified by the forces he'd helped unleash, 860 00:43:20,331 --> 00:43:23,049 And now wanted to put the genie back in the bottle. 861 00:43:23,083 --> 00:43:25,718 In early September, stimson sent a memo 862 00:43:25,753 --> 00:43:27,920 To truman saying that the soviets 863 00:43:27,955 --> 00:43:29,856 Should be treated as allies. 864 00:43:29,890 --> 00:43:32,592 Stimson: If we have this weapon rather ostentatiously 865 00:43:32,626 --> 00:43:34,844 On our hip, their suspicions 866 00:43:34,895 --> 00:43:37,513 And their distrust of our purposes and motives 867 00:43:37,564 --> 00:43:39,649 Will increase. The chief lesson 868 00:43:39,683 --> 00:43:41,851 That I have learned in a long life 869 00:43:41,902 --> 00:43:44,737 Is that the only way you can make a man trustworthy 870 00:43:44,772 --> 00:43:46,189 Is to trust him. 871 00:43:46,240 --> 00:43:48,992 And the surest way to make him untrustworthy 872 00:43:49,026 --> 00:43:52,311 Is to distrust him and show your distrust. 873 00:43:52,329 --> 00:43:55,281 Stone: He proposed that the u.S. Dismantle its atomic bombs 874 00:43:55,316 --> 00:43:58,818 If the soviets agreed that both countries would ban 875 00:43:58,852 --> 00:44:00,153 Atomic weapons research. 876 00:44:00,187 --> 00:44:02,488 And thus submit to an international 877 00:44:02,523 --> 00:44:04,807 System of control. 878 00:44:04,842 --> 00:44:08,828 Truman devoted the historic September 21, 1945, 879 00:44:08,846 --> 00:44:11,814 Cabinet meeting-- stimson's last-- 880 00:44:11,865 --> 00:44:13,816 To discuss his proposal. 881 00:44:13,867 --> 00:44:16,152 Wallace allied himself with stimson, 882 00:44:16,203 --> 00:44:18,705 Indicating the absurdity of trying to keep 883 00:44:18,739 --> 00:44:21,791 - An atomic monopoly. - Wallace: I then went at some length 884 00:44:21,842 --> 00:44:24,394 Into the whole scientific background, 885 00:44:24,428 --> 00:44:27,330 Describing how foreign jewish scientists 886 00:44:27,364 --> 00:44:28,965 Had in the first place 887 00:44:28,999 --> 00:44:32,435 Sold the president in the fall of 1939. 888 00:44:32,469 --> 00:44:34,837 I indicated the degree to which the whole approach 889 00:44:34,872 --> 00:44:36,506 Had originated in europe, 890 00:44:36,540 --> 00:44:39,625 And that it was impossible to bottle the thing up, 891 00:44:39,660 --> 00:44:41,928 No matter how much we tried. 892 00:44:41,962 --> 00:44:45,531 Stone: With byrnes away in london, navy secretary james forrestal 893 00:44:45,565 --> 00:44:48,251 Argued that the soviets could not be trusted. 894 00:44:48,285 --> 00:44:50,403 "the russians," he said, "like the japanese, 895 00:44:50,421 --> 00:44:53,456 Are essentially oriental in their thinking." 896 00:44:53,490 --> 00:44:56,659 The cabinet split sharply over stimson's proposal 897 00:44:56,710 --> 00:44:58,461 Which would have put the United States 898 00:44:58,495 --> 00:45:02,065 Squarely on the side of wanting world peace. 899 00:45:02,099 --> 00:45:04,801 But truman vacillated and ultimately yielded 900 00:45:04,835 --> 00:45:08,671 To the byrnes-forrestal hardline faction. 901 00:45:08,706 --> 00:45:12,658 The feared, and potentially suicidal arms race, 902 00:45:12,693 --> 00:45:14,160 Would continue. 903 00:45:14,194 --> 00:45:16,629 When truman finally met with robert oppenheimer 904 00:45:16,663 --> 00:45:18,331 In October 1945, 905 00:45:18,365 --> 00:45:20,633 He asked him to guess when the russians 906 00:45:20,667 --> 00:45:22,635 Would develop their own atomic bomb. 907 00:45:22,669 --> 00:45:24,971 Oppenheimer did not know. 908 00:45:25,005 --> 00:45:28,708 Truman responded that he knew the answer: "never." 909 00:45:28,742 --> 00:45:31,844 Clearly surprised by the president's truculent ignorance 910 00:45:31,879 --> 00:45:34,180 And frustrated that he did not understand 911 00:45:34,214 --> 00:45:37,183 The seriousness of the evolving crisis, 912 00:45:37,217 --> 00:45:39,519 Oppenheimer blurted out, "mr. President, 913 00:45:39,553 --> 00:45:41,854 I feel I have blood on my hands." 914 00:45:41,889 --> 00:45:43,723 Truman responded with anger. 915 00:45:43,757 --> 00:45:45,858 Truman: I told him the blood was on my hands 916 00:45:45,893 --> 00:45:48,127 And to let me worry about that. 917 00:45:48,162 --> 00:45:50,863 Stone: Afterwards, truman told dean acheson... 918 00:45:50,898 --> 00:45:52,398 Truman: I don't want to see that son of a bitch 919 00:45:52,433 --> 00:45:55,668 In this office ever again. 920 00:45:55,702 --> 00:45:58,938 Stone: Oppenheimer was later attacked by right-wing conservatives 921 00:45:58,972 --> 00:46:01,007 As an agent of the soviet union, 922 00:46:01,041 --> 00:46:03,276 And subjected to numerous investigations 923 00:46:03,310 --> 00:46:05,011 By the f.B.I. 924 00:46:05,045 --> 00:46:09,215 In 1954, his security clearance was revoked. 925 00:46:09,249 --> 00:46:12,285 His real crime in the eyes of american authorities 926 00:46:12,319 --> 00:46:15,288 Was opposing building the new hydrogen bomb, 927 00:46:15,322 --> 00:46:18,191 Which he considered a weapon of genocide. 928 00:46:20,561 --> 00:46:24,147 Contrary to the belief of truman's inner circle, 929 00:46:24,198 --> 00:46:26,165 The dropping of the atomic bombs 930 00:46:26,183 --> 00:46:28,301 On hiroshima and nagasaki 931 00:46:28,335 --> 00:46:30,636 Did not make the soviet union 932 00:46:30,654 --> 00:46:31,637 Any more pliable. 933 00:46:34,525 --> 00:46:37,243 Soviet forces occupied the northern half 934 00:46:37,277 --> 00:46:38,828 Of the korean peninsula, 935 00:46:38,862 --> 00:46:41,964 Left face to face with u.S. Forces in the south. 936 00:46:41,999 --> 00:46:44,717 Korea would later become a major flash point 937 00:46:44,735 --> 00:46:47,453 In the cold war that would engulf the world 938 00:46:47,488 --> 00:46:49,755 For another 50 years. 939 00:46:51,108 --> 00:46:53,025 But on a far larger scale, 940 00:46:53,043 --> 00:46:56,662 The bombing haunted the soviet imagination. 941 00:46:56,696 --> 00:46:59,465 Future foreign minister andrei gromyko's son 942 00:46:59,500 --> 00:47:02,602 Anatoly recalled his father telling him that 943 00:47:02,636 --> 00:47:06,722 Hiroshima set the heads of the soviet military spinning. 944 00:47:06,757 --> 00:47:09,141 The mood in the kremlin was neurotic. 945 00:47:09,176 --> 00:47:11,978 The mistrust towards the allies grew quickly. 946 00:47:12,012 --> 00:47:14,213 Opinions floated around to preserve 947 00:47:14,231 --> 00:47:17,350 A large land army to establish control 948 00:47:17,384 --> 00:47:19,485 Over extended territories 949 00:47:19,520 --> 00:47:23,306 To lessen potential losses from another atomic bombing. 950 00:47:23,340 --> 00:47:27,009 And in what many consider a cruel irony, 951 00:47:27,044 --> 00:47:30,496 The japanese were allowed after all to keep the emperor, 952 00:47:30,531 --> 00:47:33,966 Whose retention most experts believed essential 953 00:47:34,001 --> 00:47:37,570 To postwar stability in japan. 954 00:47:37,604 --> 00:47:40,306 Truman suffered no political repercussions 955 00:47:40,340 --> 00:47:42,041 From this decision. 956 00:47:42,075 --> 00:47:43,442 Murrow: How did you manage it? How did you keep 957 00:47:43,477 --> 00:47:46,779 Your equilibrium? How did you sleep at night? 958 00:47:46,813 --> 00:47:49,081 No trouble sleeping at night. 959 00:47:49,116 --> 00:47:50,850 All my life, whenever it comes time 960 00:47:50,884 --> 00:47:52,585 To make a decision, I make it. 961 00:47:52,619 --> 00:47:55,521 And forget about it and go to work on something else. 962 00:47:55,556 --> 00:47:57,790 Murrow: Do you have any reason to think, in historical terms, 963 00:47:57,824 --> 00:47:59,659 That this new and terrible hydrogen weapon 964 00:47:59,693 --> 00:48:01,260 Will not be used? 965 00:48:01,295 --> 00:48:02,995 I hope it'll never have to be used, 966 00:48:03,030 --> 00:48:04,797 Because I hope we'll keep the peace in the world 967 00:48:04,831 --> 00:48:06,465 And it won't be necessary. 968 00:48:06,500 --> 00:48:09,068 If the world ever gets into turmoil, however, 969 00:48:09,102 --> 00:48:11,604 It will be used. You can be sure of that. 970 00:48:11,638 --> 00:48:13,589 Stone: As truman anticipated, 971 00:48:13,624 --> 00:48:17,326 The process he unleashed did indeed threaten 972 00:48:17,361 --> 00:48:20,396 The future existence of life on this planet. 973 00:48:20,430 --> 00:48:22,348 Even pugnacious winston churchill 974 00:48:22,382 --> 00:48:24,283 Had moral qualms. 975 00:48:24,318 --> 00:48:27,136 When he visited truman towards the end of his presidency, 976 00:48:27,170 --> 00:48:29,272 Margaret, the president's daughter, 977 00:48:29,306 --> 00:48:31,274 Described the scene. 978 00:48:31,308 --> 00:48:33,409 Margaret: Everyone was in an ebullient mood, 979 00:48:33,443 --> 00:48:34,944 Especially dad. 980 00:48:34,978 --> 00:48:37,747 Without warning, mr. Churchill turned to him and said... 981 00:48:37,781 --> 00:48:41,217 Churchill: Mr. President, I hope you have your answer ready 982 00:48:41,251 --> 00:48:44,954 For that hour when you and I stand before st. Peter 983 00:48:44,988 --> 00:48:48,491 And he says, "I understand you two 984 00:48:48,525 --> 00:48:52,361 Are responsible for putting off those atomic bombs. 985 00:48:52,396 --> 00:48:55,598 What have you got to say for yourselves?" 986 00:48:57,050 --> 00:48:59,051 Stone: Although harry truman left office 987 00:48:59,086 --> 00:49:02,655 With approval ratings so low that only george w. Bush 988 00:49:02,689 --> 00:49:04,923 Has come close since, 989 00:49:04,942 --> 00:49:07,860 He is now widely viewed as a near-great president 990 00:49:07,894 --> 00:49:09,928 And routinely showered with praise 991 00:49:09,947 --> 00:49:13,232 By republicans and democrats alike. 992 00:49:13,266 --> 00:49:15,468 Former national security advisor 993 00:49:15,502 --> 00:49:18,804 And secretary of state condoleeza rice, 994 00:49:18,839 --> 00:49:20,473 Who george bush credited with 995 00:49:20,507 --> 00:49:23,926 "telling me everything I know about the soviet union," 996 00:49:23,977 --> 00:49:26,028 Named truman her "man of the century" 997 00:49:26,079 --> 00:49:29,815 To "time" magazine. 998 00:49:29,850 --> 00:49:33,219 David mccullough's 1993 biography of truman 999 00:49:33,253 --> 00:49:36,389 Won him a wide readership and a pulitzer prize, 1000 00:49:36,423 --> 00:49:39,425 Followed by an emmy-awarded best tv movie 1001 00:49:39,459 --> 00:49:43,162 On the cable network h.B.O. In 1995, 1002 00:49:43,196 --> 00:49:46,132 Seen by millions. 1003 00:49:46,166 --> 00:49:47,483 The first bomb will be ready 1004 00:49:47,517 --> 00:49:49,268 By the end of the first week in August. 1005 00:49:49,302 --> 00:49:51,620 The japs know they're licked. 1006 00:49:51,672 --> 00:49:52,955 Why won't they quit? 1007 00:49:53,006 --> 00:49:55,041 Their strategy is to prolong the war, 1008 00:49:55,075 --> 00:49:56,759 No matter what the cost, 1009 00:49:56,793 --> 00:49:59,712 Until we agree to let the emperor stay on the throne. 1010 00:49:59,746 --> 00:50:02,181 They'll prolong it by any means necessary. 1011 00:50:02,215 --> 00:50:04,249 They just will not surrender. 1012 00:50:04,267 --> 00:50:06,385 Some of the scientists 1013 00:50:06,419 --> 00:50:07,586 Who developed the bomb 1014 00:50:07,604 --> 00:50:09,188 Believe that it should never be used. 1015 00:50:09,222 --> 00:50:11,924 Is that so? 1016 00:50:11,942 --> 00:50:14,860 Well, what the hell do they think we built it for? 1017 00:50:14,895 --> 00:50:17,530 We can't uninvent it, henry. 1018 00:50:17,564 --> 00:50:20,733 What about the idea of setting one off for the japs to see? 1019 00:50:20,767 --> 00:50:22,201 What happened to that idea? 1020 00:50:22,235 --> 00:50:23,869 Mr. President, 1021 00:50:23,904 --> 00:50:25,738 I can only speak to the military questions. 1022 00:50:27,107 --> 00:50:28,657 We must use overwhelming force 1023 00:50:28,709 --> 00:50:31,210 To crush the japanese army, 1024 00:50:31,244 --> 00:50:34,613 Destroy their will to make war. 1025 00:50:34,631 --> 00:50:36,949 Stone: In the myth the film creates, 1026 00:50:36,967 --> 00:50:39,535 Henry stimson and general george marshall 1027 00:50:39,569 --> 00:50:42,338 Are portrayed as looking down on the underdog, 1028 00:50:42,389 --> 00:50:43,622 Little man truman, 1029 00:50:43,657 --> 00:50:46,625 Who is following his moral conscience. 1030 00:50:46,660 --> 00:50:49,211 But their real positions on the bomb and japan 1031 00:50:49,246 --> 00:50:50,946 Are misrepresented. 1032 00:50:50,981 --> 00:50:53,165 With regular weapons, the firebombing of dresden 1033 00:50:53,200 --> 00:50:55,000 Killed 30,000 in one night. 1034 00:50:55,035 --> 00:50:57,169 Tokyo is utterly gone 1035 00:50:57,204 --> 00:50:59,088 With almost everyone in it. 1036 00:50:59,122 --> 00:51:00,639 They figure 100,000 dead there. 1037 00:51:00,674 --> 00:51:02,508 Seems to me, if there is 1038 00:51:02,542 --> 00:51:04,376 A moral point of no return, 1039 00:51:04,410 --> 00:51:06,479 You've long since passed it. 1040 00:51:09,549 --> 00:51:10,916 If I don't drop the bomb, 1041 00:51:10,934 --> 00:51:12,435 So many more of our young men 1042 00:51:12,469 --> 00:51:14,553 Will die in the invasion of japan. 1043 00:51:16,473 --> 00:51:20,659 Their men too, and women and children. 1044 00:51:20,694 --> 00:51:22,194 How could I face the people 1045 00:51:22,229 --> 00:51:23,262 When it's finally over 1046 00:51:23,296 --> 00:51:24,780 And say that I had the power 1047 00:51:24,815 --> 00:51:28,534 To possibly end the war long ago, 1048 00:51:28,568 --> 00:51:31,203 Spare the lives of their loved ones 1049 00:51:31,238 --> 00:51:34,006 And I chose not to use it? 1050 00:51:34,040 --> 00:51:36,008 Stone: In the film, the soviet point of view 1051 00:51:36,042 --> 00:51:37,943 Is entirely ignored 1052 00:51:37,978 --> 00:51:40,079 And the characters of henry wallace and jimmy byrnes 1053 00:51:40,113 --> 00:51:42,531 Are not included. 1054 00:51:42,566 --> 00:51:45,734 But the real harry truman is far darker 1055 00:51:45,769 --> 00:51:48,554 Than mccullough's heroic underdog. 1056 00:51:48,588 --> 00:51:51,891 Despite his denials, his flawed and tragic 1057 00:51:51,925 --> 00:51:54,693 Decision to use the bomb against japan 1058 00:51:54,728 --> 00:51:57,229 Was meant instead as a ruthless 1059 00:51:57,264 --> 00:51:59,364 And deeply unnecessary warning 1060 00:51:59,382 --> 00:52:02,284 That the United States could be unrestrained 1061 00:52:02,319 --> 00:52:05,154 By humanitarian considerations 1062 00:52:05,188 --> 00:52:08,173 In using these same bombs against the soviet union 1063 00:52:08,191 --> 00:52:12,511 If they continued to interfere in europe or asia. 1064 00:52:12,546 --> 00:52:15,347 However, on a larger moral scale, 1065 00:52:15,382 --> 00:52:18,717 Truman knew he was beginning a process 1066 00:52:18,751 --> 00:52:21,504 That could end life on the planet, 1067 00:52:21,538 --> 00:52:24,190 As he said explicitly on at least three occasions. 1068 00:52:24,224 --> 00:52:28,377 Yet he forged ahead recklessly. 1069 00:52:28,411 --> 00:52:31,380 Unnecessarily killing people is a war crime. 1070 00:52:31,414 --> 00:52:36,051 Threatening human extinction goes far far beyond that. 1071 00:52:37,487 --> 00:52:39,522 This is what henry wallace understood more deeply 1072 00:52:39,556 --> 00:52:42,191 Than any other government official. 1073 00:52:42,225 --> 00:52:44,593 The man who did his utmost to end 1074 00:52:44,628 --> 00:52:47,730 The u.S. Monopoly of the atomic bomb 1075 00:52:47,764 --> 00:52:51,000 Has been largely lost to history. 1076 00:52:51,034 --> 00:52:53,135 Newsreel voice: Henry wallace, u.S. Secretary of commerce, 1077 00:52:53,170 --> 00:52:55,804 Is called to the white house by president truman. 1078 00:52:55,839 --> 00:52:59,141 He had advocated publically a more conciliatory attitude 1079 00:52:59,192 --> 00:53:02,144 Towards russia. Faced with public criticism 1080 00:53:02,179 --> 00:53:04,296 Of american official policy on world affairs 1081 00:53:04,331 --> 00:53:06,148 By a member of his own cabinet, 1082 00:53:06,183 --> 00:53:09,101 The president asked for and accepted wallace's resignation. 1083 00:53:09,135 --> 00:53:10,819 "dear harry, 1084 00:53:10,854 --> 00:53:12,955 As you requested, 1085 00:53:12,989 --> 00:53:15,291 Here is my resignation. 1086 00:53:15,325 --> 00:53:18,310 I shall continue to fight for peace. 1087 00:53:18,345 --> 00:53:21,313 I am sure that you approve 1088 00:53:21,348 --> 00:53:23,566 And will join me 1089 00:53:23,600 --> 00:53:25,834 In that great endeavor." 1090 00:53:25,869 --> 00:53:28,587 Newsreel voice: His walking papers in the outgoing mail, 1091 00:53:28,605 --> 00:53:31,840 Last official act of the one remaining cabinet member 1092 00:53:31,875 --> 00:53:34,510 Appointed in roosevelt's first administration. 1093 00:53:34,544 --> 00:53:35,878 That's that. 1094 00:53:38,548 --> 00:53:40,716 And so mr. Wallace takes a walk 1095 00:53:40,750 --> 00:53:43,068 After 13 years in government posts. 1096 00:53:43,086 --> 00:53:46,071 From cabinet seat to park bench, 1097 00:53:46,089 --> 00:53:47,456 He's going to renew those attacks 1098 00:53:47,507 --> 00:53:49,875 On secretary byrnes' policies at paris. 1099 00:53:49,909 --> 00:53:51,860 But right now, the man who predicted 1100 00:53:51,895 --> 00:53:53,879 60 million jobs in america 1101 00:53:53,913 --> 00:53:57,499 Seems to be busy reading the help-wanted ads. 1102 00:53:57,534 --> 00:54:00,636 Stone: After leaving government in 1946, 1103 00:54:00,670 --> 00:54:03,489 He ran for president in 1948 1104 00:54:03,523 --> 00:54:05,207 As a candidate for the newly formed 1105 00:54:05,242 --> 00:54:07,009 Progressive party. 1106 00:54:07,043 --> 00:54:10,362 Their message of peace in a time of rising tensions 1107 00:54:10,397 --> 00:54:12,164 Was not heard. 1108 00:54:12,198 --> 00:54:14,833 Repeatedly attacked by truman and the press 1109 00:54:14,868 --> 00:54:17,503 As a communist sympathizer, 1110 00:54:17,537 --> 00:54:21,223 Wallace garnered less than 3% of the vote. 1111 00:54:21,274 --> 00:54:24,476 Following the election, he retired from politics. 1112 00:54:24,510 --> 00:54:27,663 Increasingly accused of sheltering communists 1113 00:54:27,697 --> 00:54:30,165 During his campaign, he compromised himself 1114 00:54:30,200 --> 00:54:32,835 During the pressures of the korean war 1115 00:54:32,869 --> 00:54:34,570 And the mccarthy period, 1116 00:54:34,604 --> 00:54:36,705 Loudly condemning the soviets. 1117 00:54:36,740 --> 00:54:39,441 But he clung to his progressive ideals 1118 00:54:39,476 --> 00:54:43,529 And decried later u.S. Involvement in vietnam. 1119 00:54:43,563 --> 00:54:46,598 He lived quietly on his farm in upstate new york 1120 00:54:46,633 --> 00:54:49,118 Where he died in 1965. 1121 00:54:51,104 --> 00:54:54,523 In an irony that only an american capitalism can embrace, 1122 00:54:54,557 --> 00:54:59,461 The hi-bred corn company, which wallace founded in 1926, 1123 00:54:59,496 --> 00:55:04,133 Was sold in the late 1990s to the dupont corporation 1124 00:55:04,167 --> 00:55:07,336 For more than $9 billion. 1125 00:55:07,370 --> 00:55:10,072 A bittersweet reminder to those who repeatedly 1126 00:55:10,123 --> 00:55:12,958 Denigrated "mr. Smith goes to washington" 1127 00:55:12,992 --> 00:55:16,962 As naive and communist. 1128 00:55:16,997 --> 00:55:20,833 He remains one of the unsung heroes of the second world war, 1129 00:55:20,867 --> 00:55:24,486 Showing the world a kinder vision of america. 1130 00:55:24,537 --> 00:55:26,605 Though his vision was opposed at every step, 1131 00:55:26,639 --> 00:55:28,640 It did not die. 1132 00:55:28,675 --> 00:55:31,760 Following in the footsteps of others before him, 1133 00:55:31,795 --> 00:55:35,180 Henry wallace continued to lay the foundations, 1134 00:55:35,215 --> 00:55:36,882 And others followed. 1135 00:55:39,085 --> 00:55:40,703 Franklin roosevelt said... 1136 00:55:40,737 --> 00:55:44,790 Roosevelt: No man was more of the american soil than wallace. 1137 00:55:46,292 --> 00:55:49,194 Stone: But few now remember how close wallace came 1138 00:55:49,229 --> 00:55:50,863 To getting the vice presidential 1139 00:55:50,897 --> 00:55:53,515 Nomination on that steamy chicago night 1140 00:55:53,550 --> 00:55:56,135 In July 1944. 1141 00:55:57,887 --> 00:56:01,140 It was here that roosevelt committed the greatest blunder 1142 00:56:01,174 --> 00:56:03,192 Of his splendid career-- 1143 00:56:03,226 --> 00:56:07,029 Acceding to the party bosses' choice of harry truman. 1144 00:56:07,063 --> 00:56:10,215 He could have resisted and, with the people's backing, 1145 00:56:10,249 --> 00:56:12,935 Had wallace as his vice president. 1146 00:56:12,969 --> 00:56:16,288 But he was tired of defending his vision 1147 00:56:16,322 --> 00:56:17,890 For world peace. 1148 00:56:17,924 --> 00:56:21,043 Very tired and near death. 1149 00:56:21,077 --> 00:56:23,495 This sad moment points most clearly 1150 00:56:23,530 --> 00:56:27,216 To the fallibility of all human history-- 1151 00:56:27,250 --> 00:56:29,551 "to fail is not tragic, 1152 00:56:29,586 --> 00:56:31,153 To be human is." 1153 00:56:35,191 --> 00:56:36,909 What might this country have become 1154 00:56:36,943 --> 00:56:40,162 Had wallace succeeded roosevelt in April '45 1155 00:56:40,196 --> 00:56:42,698 Instead of truman? 1156 00:56:42,732 --> 00:56:46,502 Would no atomic bombs have been used in world war ii? 1157 00:56:46,536 --> 00:56:51,190 Could we have avoided the nuclear arms race and the cold war? 1158 00:56:51,224 --> 00:56:54,376 Would civil rights and women's rights have triumphed 1159 00:56:54,427 --> 00:56:56,428 In the immediate postwar years? 1160 00:56:58,431 --> 00:57:01,533 Might colonialism have ended decades earlier 1161 00:57:01,551 --> 00:57:04,736 And the fruits of science and industry been spread 1162 00:57:04,754 --> 00:57:07,456 More equitably around the globe? 1163 00:57:07,507 --> 00:57:09,475 We'll never know. 1164 00:57:09,509 --> 00:57:12,461 Some have spoken of the american century. 1165 00:57:12,495 --> 00:57:15,798 I say that the century on which we are entering, 1166 00:57:15,832 --> 00:57:18,467 A century which will come out of this war, 1167 00:57:18,501 --> 00:57:20,869 Can be and must be 1168 00:57:20,904 --> 00:57:22,905 The century of the common man. 1169 00:57:24,174 --> 00:57:26,358 If we really believe we are fighting 1170 00:57:26,392 --> 00:57:28,827 For a people's peace, 1171 00:57:28,862 --> 00:57:32,264 All the rest becomes easy. 1172 00:57:32,282 --> 00:57:34,249 ( dramatic music playing )