Newswise — Many historians now agree that the United States could have ended World War II without dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki 60 years ago (August 6 and 9, 1945), says University of Maryland historian and professor of political economy Gar Alperovitz, author of the 1995 book, "The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb."

Based on a careful review of the latest research, including Japanese documents now available, Alperovitz notes that Japan was very close to surrender when the bombs were used. He adds that recent research shows the entry of Russia into the war on August 8, 1945 likely carried more weight in Japan's decision than the use of atomic weapons on August 6 and August 9, 1945.

Almost every major U.S. military figure criticized the bombing as unnecessary after the war—including General (later President) Dwight D. Eisenhower, General Douglas MacArthur, General "Hap" Arnold, General Curtis LeMay, Admiral William D. Leahy, Admiral Nimitz, Admiral Halsey and many more, Alperovitz says. On many occasions Eisenhower stated his view that "it wasn't necessary to hit them with that awful thing."

"All the major issues involved in the decision are still very much a matter of dispute among experts," Alperovitz notes. One reason may be key gaps in the record. "First, very little was recorded at the time about the top secret effort. Also President Truman's daughter Margaret has written some things that suggest she may be holding back some of her father's private papers on the subject," he says.

GAR ALPEROVITZ " Lionel R. Bauman professor of political economy, founding member of the Democracy Collaborative, University of Maryland

EXPERTISE: history and future of nuclear weapons, arms control and disarmament strategies; political-economic issues including state/local responses to globalization, the national fiscal crisis, wealth inequality, innovative ownership strategies and community economic responses to job outsourcing, populist tax strategies, social security reform, progressive trade policy

CREDENTIALS: author, "The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb," subject of BBC and German-TV documentaries, and served as consultant for U.S. TV documentary on the bomb; former Fellow of King's College at Cambridge University, Harvard's Institute of Politics, guest scholar, Brookings Institution; books include "Atomic Diplomacy," "America Beyond Capitalism: Reclaiming Our Wealth, Our Liberty, and Our Democracy," "Rebuilding America" (co-author), "Making a Place for Community" (co-author); media appearances include "Meet the Press," "Larry King Live," "The Charlie Rose Show," "Cross Fire," and "O'Reilly Factor."

WEB SITES: http://www.garalperovitz.com/; http://www.bsos.umd.edu/gvpt/alperovitz/

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