How true is it that the atomic bomb was not needed to force the Japanese surrender in WWII? | AskHistorians Archive Observer

How true is it that the atomic bomb was not needed to force the Japanese surrender in WWII?

by Paranoid_and_Proud

And if it is true that the bomb was not needed, why isn't Truman looked upon more harshly?

Eiltharnakrin

u/restricteddata has almost an entire section in the FAQ dedicated to this and other equally interesting questions regarding the Atomic Bombs. https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/wiki/faq/militaryhistory/wwii/usa#wiki_the_atomic_bombs.2C_aka_questions_.2Fu.2Frestricteddata_has_answered