Primary Source Document
with Questions (DBQs)
THE POTSDAM DECLARATION (JULY 26, 1945)
Introduction
The dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki remains among the most controversial events in
modern history. Historians have actively debated whether the bombings were necessary, what effect they had on
bringing the war in the Pacific to an expeditious end, and what other options were available to the United States.
These very same questions were also contentious at the time, as American policymakers struggled with how to use a
phenomenally powerful new technology and what the long-term impact of atomic weaponry might be, not just on
the Japanese, but on domestic politics, America’s international relations, and the budding Cold War with the Soviet
Union. In retrospect, it is clear that the reasons for dropping the atomic bombs on Japan, just like the later impact of
nuclear technology on world politics, were complex and intertwined with a variety of issues that went far beyond the
simple goal of bringing World War II to a rapid close.
The Potsdam Declaration was issued on July 26, 1945 by U.S. President Harry Truman, British Prime Minister
Winston Churchill, and President Chiang Kai-shek of the Republic of China, who were meeting in Potsdam, Germany
to consider war strategy and post-war policy. Soviet leader Joseph Stalin also attended the Potsdam Conference but
did not sign the Declaration, since the Soviet Union did not enter the war against Japan until August 8, 1945.
Document Excerpts with Questions
From Japan’s Decision to Surrender, by Robert J.C. Butow (Stanford University Press, 1954). © 1954 Stanford University Press.
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The!Potsdam!Declaration!(July!26,!1945)!
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Proclamation+Defining+the+Terms+for+the+Japanese+Surrender,+July+26,+1945+
(1)++ WE+ —+THE+PRESIDENT+of+the+United+States,+the+President+of+the+National+Government+
of+ the+ Republic+ of+ China,+ and+ the+ Prime+ Minister+ of+ Great+ Britain,+ representing+ the+
hundreds+of+millions+of+our+countrymen,+have+conferred+and+agree+that+Japan+shall+be+
given+an+opportunity+to+end+this+war.+
(2)+ +The+prodigious+land,+sea+and+air+forces+of+the+United+States,+the+British+Empire+and+of+
China,+many+times+reinforced+by+their+armies+and+air+fleets+from+the+west,+are+poised+to+
strike+the+final+blows+upon+Japan.+This+military+power+is+sustained+and+inspired+by+the+
determination+ of+ all+ the+ Allied+ Nations+ to+ prosecute+ the+ war+ against+ Japan+ until+ she+
ceases+to+resist.+
(3)++ The+result+of+the+futile+and+senseless+German+resistance+to+the+might+of+the+aroused+free+
peoples+of+the+world+stands+forth+in+awful+clarity+as+an+example+to+the+people+of+Japan.+
The+might+that+now+converges+on+Japan+is+immeasurably+greater+than+that+which,+when+
applied+to+the+resisting+Nazis,+necessarily+laid+waste+to+the+lands,+the+industry,+and+the+
