Reply #16: I think that FDR would have done as Truman did.

[elperromagico]

That is, he would have weighed the options:

A. Drop the A bomb.
B. Send troops into Japan.

Now, we can argue how close the Japanese were to surrender before the A bomb was dropped. However, the general impression in the United States seemed to be that the Japanese would fight to the last man. Truman's actions certainly reflect that view and I doubt the view was his alone.

This to me feels a little bit like the "If JFK hadn't died, we would have pulled out of 'Nam" argument. Yes, JFK had agreed to begin withdrawing troops. But if anybody thinks JFK would have pulled every American troop out just as he was facing a tough reelection campaign, they don't understand the climate of the time. He would have been hammered by the GOP for being soft on Communism and that was the kind of accusation that could really stick.

I don't believe even FDR could have withstood the public reaction if he had authorized an invasion of Japan, particularly if there had been a massive loss of American lives.

Just my opinion, naturally.