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Harry S. Truman
Democrat
Two Terms: 1945-1949, 1949-1953
Harry S. Truman
Democrat
Two Terms: 1945-1949, 1949-1953
Following FDR’s death in 1945, Vice President Harry Truman from Missouri took control of the country. Truman was pushed into Presidential office under severe circumstances with the fate of the world still unclear. If FDR appealed to the “common man,” Harry Truman was the common man. He was the first of many Presidents to not be college educated and prior to serving as Vice President, Truman gained notoriety from impressive military service that led to his election as a Missouri Senator. Although Truman had virtually no foreign policy experience he successfully was able to bring an end to World War II, while limiting American casualties. After victory, Truman was left with the even more daunting task of guiding the war-ravaged world through reconstruction. Truman lost national support with his early reconstruction efforts and the Republicans took both houses of congress. His re-election in 1948 looked just about impossible, but Harry Truman learned from FDR and persevered through his slim chances to win re-election over Republican Thomas Dewey. Throughout his second term, Truman worked hard to create a positive legacy for himself with international efforts like his Truman Doctrine. Additionally, he was able to sustain tension between the US and former ally the Soviet Union, while also making strives in the Civil Rights Movement. 16
The nuclear bombing of Japan has been the subject of much debate regarding morality, and necessity of War. Truman deemed that the bombing was necessary to bring an end to a War that so many were dying in, and any other forceful defeat of Japan would have come at the cost of more allied lives. For this reason, Truman’s bold step that brought an end to the most brutal War in recent history can be seen as a highlight of his career. Following the War, Truman continued to dictate international affairs. He addressed congress in 1947 and called for immediate economic aid to Greece and Turkey who were at risk of falling to Communist forces. Truman argued, “The foreign policy and the national security of this country are involved.” 17 In making such a statement, Truman helped establish the precedent for the upcoming decades that America has a responsibility to the World and should be a major force in determining international policy. The Truman Doctrine established the US as an international force who sought to establish worldwide Democracy. This sort of declaration also helped to establish the clear division between the Democratic United States, and Communist Soviet Union. The Truman doctrine’s legacy is twofold. On one hand, the doctrine was a significant effort to help make the world safe for democracy, and deter against potentially dangerous political systems. At the same time, it bounded the United States to what was happening internationally, and forced them to get involved in virtually every conflict. Truman’s leadership through the Korean War was key in establishing what America stood for at the time, and the lengths they were willing to go to enforce it. Although the War cost American lives it successfully deterred the spread of Communism, and established the United States as the world’s dominant Democratic force.
Domestically, Truman also had his fair share of highlights and low points. Labor Unions lost significant power under the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947 that passed despite Truman’s veto. The act severely limited the power of labor unions in response to a wave of strikes following the War that crippled the American economy. Although Truman claimed that the act was dangerous to United States free speech he went on to use twelve times during his Presidency. His contradiction is a low point in his career that marks some of his indecisiveness while in control. Truman was more successful domestically in Civil Rights efforts. He openly was opposed to racism in the United States and he sought to secure voting rights, and equal employment rights for blacks. More significantly, Truman integrated the United States military, which proved to be a major step toward racial equality in the United States. 18 Truman’s civil rights efforts represent the humanitarian motives that drove him throughout his career, and he undoubtedly always at the general public at the heart of all of his decisions. Harry Truman is a respectable figure that served as President sincerely, and as a result he was able to do much good for the nation.
The nuclear bombing of Japan has been the subject of much debate regarding morality, and necessity of War. Truman deemed that the bombing was necessary to bring an end to a War that so many were dying in, and any other forceful defeat of Japan would have come at the cost of more allied lives. For this reason, Truman’s bold step that brought an end to the most brutal War in recent history can be seen as a highlight of his career. Following the War, Truman continued to dictate international affairs. He addressed congress in 1947 and called for immediate economic aid to Greece and Turkey who were at risk of falling to Communist forces. Truman argued, “The foreign policy and the national security of this country are involved.” 17 In making such a statement, Truman helped establish the precedent for the upcoming decades that America has a responsibility to the World and should be a major force in determining international policy. The Truman Doctrine established the US as an international force who sought to establish worldwide Democracy. This sort of declaration also helped to establish the clear division between the Democratic United States, and Communist Soviet Union. The Truman doctrine’s legacy is twofold. On one hand, the doctrine was a significant effort to help make the world safe for democracy, and deter against potentially dangerous political systems. At the same time, it bounded the United States to what was happening internationally, and forced them to get involved in virtually every conflict. Truman’s leadership through the Korean War was key in establishing what America stood for at the time, and the lengths they were willing to go to enforce it. Although the War cost American lives it successfully deterred the spread of Communism, and established the United States as the world’s dominant Democratic force.
Domestically, Truman also had his fair share of highlights and low points. Labor Unions lost significant power under the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947 that passed despite Truman’s veto. The act severely limited the power of labor unions in response to a wave of strikes following the War that crippled the American economy. Although Truman claimed that the act was dangerous to United States free speech he went on to use twelve times during his Presidency. His contradiction is a low point in his career that marks some of his indecisiveness while in control. Truman was more successful domestically in Civil Rights efforts. He openly was opposed to racism in the United States and he sought to secure voting rights, and equal employment rights for blacks. More significantly, Truman integrated the United States military, which proved to be a major step toward racial equality in the United States. 18 Truman’s civil rights efforts represent the humanitarian motives that drove him throughout his career, and he undoubtedly always at the general public at the heart of all of his decisions. Harry Truman is a respectable figure that served as President sincerely, and as a result he was able to do much good for the nation.
Primary Sources:
On the Bombing of Hiroshima:
“We are now prepared to obliterate more rapidly and completely every productive enterprise the Japanese have above ground in any city. We shall destroy their docks, their factories, and their communications. Let there be no mistake; we shall completely destroy Japan's power to make war.” -Truman 1945 19 |
On Military Integration:
"Whereas it is essential that there be maintained in the armed services of the United States the highest standards of democracy, with equality of treatment and opportunity for all those who served in our country’s defense." -Truman 1948 20 |
Truman Doctrine White House Press Release:
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