Which declaration called for Japan's surrender and referenced a weapon of mass destruction?

Prepare for the AMSCO AP United States History Exam's Period 7. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get exam-ready!

The Potsdam Declaration, issued on July 26, 1945, was a statement from the leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom, and China that outlined the terms for Japan's surrender during World War II. It explicitly called for Japan to surrender unconditionally and stated that any failure to do so would lead to "the utter destruction" of Japan. This declaration is significant because it also referenced the use of a new and powerful weapon that was capable of causing massive destruction, which alluded to the atomic bomb that had been developed during the Manhattan Project.

In contrast, the Atlantic Charter was focused on the principles of post-war peace and did not specifically address Japan or mention any weapons. The Washington Accords were agreements related to the naval disarmament and did not pertain to Japan's surrender. The Truman Doctrine, established later in 1947, set forth a policy to contain communism but was unrelated to World War II's conclusion or Japan's surrender. The specificity of the Potsdam Declaration in calling for Japan's surrender while referencing the implication of a weapon of mass destruction makes it the correct response to this question.

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