Truman's Use of the Atomic Bomb
President Truman approved MacArthur’s use of the atomic bomb, but only at key locations within northern Korea.
In the website "American Experience" it is noted that Truman's comments regarding the use of the atomic bomb provoked worldwide reaction and British Prime Minister Clement Attlee rushed to Washington to express his concern. Truman reluctantly reassured him that the U.S. had "no intention" of using atomic weapons in Korea except to prevent a "major military disaster." While Truman never actually uses the atomic superiority of the United States in North Korea, there was concern that the bomb would be seen as ineffective in future global conflicts against China.