Chapters 11-12 Summary and Analysis

The atomic bomb was dropped August 6, 1945 on Hiroshima. Three days later, a second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. Japan surrendered the next day. Acheson resigned since he was anxious to return to private life, but his resignation was not accepted. He became Under Secretary of State.

Meetings and discussions took place regarding the domestic and international control of atomic energy. The initial thinking was that the United States could share control of nuclear weapons with the Soviets, even though they did not yet have the bomb. Kennan recommended the formation of an agency to gather intelligence on the Soviets. He did not favor sharing atomic control with the Soviets.

Harriman met with Stalin at his Black Sea dacha. He wanted to learn Stalin's post-war intentions and found that Stalin favored the Soviets following their own unilateral policies. The United...