Henry L. Stimson (21 Sep. 1867 - 20 Oct. 1950)
Stimson became Secretary of War for a second time when the war began in Europe. He was chosen for his experience (having served before under President Taft) and to unite both parties (Stimson being a Republican, Roosevelt being a Democrat) for the war effort. He was mainly in charge of expanding the military, as well as the military logistical operations of American industry.
Important issues which he was involved in during the war include the controversy surrounding General Patton’s slap of a soldier in 1943, his opposition to the Morgenthau Plan (the separation of Germany into several small states), his influence in laying the foundations of the Nuremberg Trials, and his direct leadership of the Manhattan Project – in which capacity he ensured funds, approval from the government and even managed to change the targets of the atomic bomb from Kyoto to Nagasaki.
His involvement with the atomic bomb and his decision to use it has been a subject of historical interest. It is believed that Stimson, a peaceful and moralist politician, may have used the bomb against civilians somewhat in order to ensure that the atomic bomb and other nuclear weaponry would not be used ever again. Tied with this was Stimson’s belief that atomic weaponry would destroy the view that wars could be advantageous.
For more information on Henry L. Stimson:
Malloy, Sean L. Atomic Tragedy: Henry L. Stimson and the Decision to Use the Bomb Against Japan (New York: Cornell University Press), 2008.
Schmitz, David F. Henry L. Stimson, The First Wise Man (Wilmington, DE.: Scholarly Resources Inc.), 2001.
Important issues which he was involved in during the war include the controversy surrounding General Patton’s slap of a soldier in 1943, his opposition to the Morgenthau Plan (the separation of Germany into several small states), his influence in laying the foundations of the Nuremberg Trials, and his direct leadership of the Manhattan Project – in which capacity he ensured funds, approval from the government and even managed to change the targets of the atomic bomb from Kyoto to Nagasaki.
His involvement with the atomic bomb and his decision to use it has been a subject of historical interest. It is believed that Stimson, a peaceful and moralist politician, may have used the bomb against civilians somewhat in order to ensure that the atomic bomb and other nuclear weaponry would not be used ever again. Tied with this was Stimson’s belief that atomic weaponry would destroy the view that wars could be advantageous.
For more information on Henry L. Stimson:
Malloy, Sean L. Atomic Tragedy: Henry L. Stimson and the Decision to Use the Bomb Against Japan (New York: Cornell University Press), 2008.
Schmitz, David F. Henry L. Stimson, The First Wise Man (Wilmington, DE.: Scholarly Resources Inc.), 2001.