Spring Break
Historian shows World War II in three different perspectives at lecture
Jessica Leggin / Activities Editor
Issue date: 10/31/08 Section: News
Tsuyoshi Hasegawa, a specialist in modern Russian/Soviet history and the Cold War, wants Americans to reconsider their decision about the drop of two atomic bombs on the Japanese during World War II at 7 tonight in the Doudna Fine Arts Center Lecture Hall.
Hasegawa, author of the 1995 book "Racing the Enemy: Stalin, Truman and the Atomic Bomb" will give students and faculty a modified version of the end of World War II in the Pacific.
This is the third annual lecture that is co-sponsored by the James Jones Society, the College of Arts and Humanities, the history department and the English department.
Anita Shelton, chair of the history department said the James Jones society has agreed to raise the funding for an endowed chair in World War II that would reside in both English and history departments.
"Until we raise the funds we agreed to have an annual lecture," she said. "These lectures are a way of showing interest in the war and bringing a scholar here."
Shelton said Hasegawa's lecture will also be on the basis of his book.
"While his lecture is about the end of the war, he will also give an expanded and modified version of the book," she said. "Some of his arguments he made in the book have been updated and he will share that also."
Shelton said Hasegawa will present three different perspectives about War World II by presenting the Americans, Japanese and the Russian/Soviet sides of the story.
Shelton said he will bring these three stories together.
"He will talk about the messages sent back and forth between the countries and the decisions leaders in each country had in mind," she said.
Shelton said Hasegawa will talk about the impact of the atomic bombs during the war but also will argue that the Russian/Soviet entry was also a significant factor also.
"Ultimately he is asking to reconsider if dropping the bomb was necessary and how (Americans) reached the decision to do so," she said.
Shelton said it is important for people to receive an angle from all sides of the war.
"It's important because every country continues to encounter challenges," she said.
Shelton said World War II should be studied and preserved.
"This war is the biggest in scale and is exceptional," she said. "People perceive this war as being just."
Shelton said World War II veterans are passing from our midst.
"It is imperative that we record everything that they knew, saw and experienced before it's gone," she said.
Shelton said she wants students to come out to this event despite it being on Halloween night.
"Please don't be discouraged that it is on Halloween," she said. "This is an excellent lecture."
Shelton said she knows there is still interest in the history of World War II.
"It is pertinent to our age because we are facing a war today," she said. "They always say it's harder to get out of a war then to get in and that is what we are facing today."
Jessica Leggin can be reached at 581-7942 or at jmleggin@eiu.edu.
Hasegawa, author of the 1995 book "Racing the Enemy: Stalin, Truman and the Atomic Bomb" will give students and faculty a modified version of the end of World War II in the Pacific.
This is the third annual lecture that is co-sponsored by the James Jones Society, the College of Arts and Humanities, the history department and the English department.
Anita Shelton, chair of the history department said the James Jones society has agreed to raise the funding for an endowed chair in World War II that would reside in both English and history departments.
"Until we raise the funds we agreed to have an annual lecture," she said. "These lectures are a way of showing interest in the war and bringing a scholar here."
Shelton said Hasegawa's lecture will also be on the basis of his book.
"While his lecture is about the end of the war, he will also give an expanded and modified version of the book," she said. "Some of his arguments he made in the book have been updated and he will share that also."
Shelton said Hasegawa will present three different perspectives about War World II by presenting the Americans, Japanese and the Russian/Soviet sides of the story.
Shelton said he will bring these three stories together.
"He will talk about the messages sent back and forth between the countries and the decisions leaders in each country had in mind," she said.
Shelton said Hasegawa will talk about the impact of the atomic bombs during the war but also will argue that the Russian/Soviet entry was also a significant factor also.
"Ultimately he is asking to reconsider if dropping the bomb was necessary and how (Americans) reached the decision to do so," she said.
Shelton said it is important for people to receive an angle from all sides of the war.
"It's important because every country continues to encounter challenges," she said.
Shelton said World War II should be studied and preserved.
"This war is the biggest in scale and is exceptional," she said. "People perceive this war as being just."
Shelton said World War II veterans are passing from our midst.
"It is imperative that we record everything that they knew, saw and experienced before it's gone," she said.
Shelton said she wants students to come out to this event despite it being on Halloween night.
"Please don't be discouraged that it is on Halloween," she said. "This is an excellent lecture."
Shelton said she knows there is still interest in the history of World War II.
"It is pertinent to our age because we are facing a war today," she said. "They always say it's harder to get out of a war then to get in and that is what we are facing today."
Jessica Leggin can be reached at 581-7942 or at jmleggin@eiu.edu.
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