The Man Who Saved Kyoto?
Summary
Host Bob Crawford and historian Alex Wellerstein investigate why Kyoto was spared from the atomic bomb. They confirm Secretary of War Henry Stimson removed it due to personal affection from a 1920s trip, overriding military preferences. The episode also explores Truman’s limited initial involvement and his subsequent shift toward viewing nuclear weapons as immoral tools for killing civilians.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: Whole Foods and Grow Therapy
Introduction: Did Henry Stimson save Kyoto from the atomic bomb?
The Target Committee's initial list and criteria for bombing
Truman's limited knowledge and role in the Manhattan Project
Stimson's background and his relationship with Truman
Stimson removes Kyoto from the target list
Sponsor: HomeServe
Debunking the myth of Langdon Warner saving Kyoto
Stimson's personal connection to Kyoto and cultural preservation
The Potsdam Conference and Truman's final decision on Kyoto
Truman's misunderstanding of the bomb's nature and Nagasaki
Conclusion and Sponsor: Jerry AI
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