The Order to Drop the Atomic Bomb
After Hitler's suicide in May 1945, Germany surrendered unconditionally. The scientists, who had believed that the purpose of developing the bomb was to stop Hitler, wrote the US government a petition requesting that the atomic bomb not be used, as it was no longer needed. The US government and army ignored the letter; on July 25, President Truman ordered that the atomic bomb be dropped.

The Petition from the Scientists Asking that the Atomic Bomb Not Be Used	The Order to Drop the Atomic Bomb

Click on the above photos to read the text of the letters. July 1945
Collection: US National Archives

Ignoring the scientists' petition, President Truman gave the order to drop the atomic bomb.