Find Weird and Wonderful Books at AbeBooks
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
History cheat sheets


Harry S. Truman

Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953. His presidency was marked…

By Staff , in Presidents , at July 16, 2024 Tags: , ,

Find Cheap Textbooks - Save on New & Used Textbooks at AbeBooks.com

Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953. His presidency was marked by significant events and decisions that shaped the post-World War II world and the early years of the Cold War.

Early Life and Career
Birth and Early Years: Harry S. Truman was born on May 8, 1884, in Lamar, Missouri. He grew up in Independence, Missouri, where he worked on his family’s farm after high school.
Military Service: Truman served in the Missouri National Guard and later saw combat during World War I as a captain in the Field Artillery. His leadership in the war earned him respect and recognition.
Business and Political Beginnings: After the war, Truman returned to Missouri and opened a haberdashery, which eventually failed. He then entered local politics, becoming a county judge and later a U.S. Senator from Missouri in 1935. He gained a reputation for honesty and efficiency, particularly through his work on the Senate Special Committee to Investigate the National Defense Program (Truman Committee).

Vice Presidency
Vice President: Truman was selected as Franklin D. Roosevelt’s running mate in the 1944 presidential election. He served as Vice President for just 82 days before Roosevelt’s death in April 1945.

Presidency (1945-1953)
World War II: Truman assumed the presidency during the final months of World War II. One of his most significant and controversial decisions was authorizing the use of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, which led to Japan’s surrender and the end of the war.
Post-War Reconstruction: Truman oversaw the transition from wartime to peacetime economies, implementing the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe and prevent the spread of communism. He also established the United Nations in 1945 to promote international cooperation and peace.
Cold War Beginnings: Truman’s presidency saw the beginning of the Cold War. He implemented the Truman Doctrine in 1947, pledging support for countries resisting communism, and established NATO in 1949 as a military alliance against the Soviet Union.
Domestic Policies: Truman’s Fair Deal aimed to continue and expand New Deal reforms, focusing on issues such as healthcare, education, and civil rights. Although many of his proposals faced opposition in Congress, he achieved some successes, including the integration of the armed forces.
Korean War: In 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea, leading to the Korean War. Truman committed U.S. forces to the conflict under the United Nations’ banner, aiming to contain the spread of communism. The war ended in a stalemate in 1953, shortly after Truman left office.

Later Life
Post-Presidency: After leaving office, Truman retired to Independence, Missouri. He remained active in public life, writing his memoirs and supporting various Democratic candidates and causes. He was widely respected for his plain-speaking style and integrity.
Death: Harry S. Truman died on December 26, 1972, at the age of 88.

Legacy
Historical Impact: Truman’s presidency is often evaluated for his decisive leadership during a critical period in American and world history. His decisions on the use of atomic weapons, the containment of communism, and the rebuilding of post-war Europe had long-lasting impacts.
Civil Rights: Truman is also remembered for his efforts to advance civil rights, including desegregating the military and advocating for anti-lynching laws and other civil rights legislation.

Advertisement:

SaleBestseller No. 1
Truman
  • Author: McCullough, David.
  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  • Pages: 1120
SaleBestseller No. 2
The Accidental President: Harry S. Truman and the Four Months That Changed the World
  • Baime, A. J. (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 464 Pages - 10/02/2018 (Publication Date) - Mariner Books (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 3
Harry S. Truman
  • Margaret Truman (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 602 Pages - 11/13/1973 (Publication Date) - Morrow (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 4
The Trials of Harry S. Truman: The Extraordinary Presidency of an Ordinary Man, 1945-1953
  • Frank, Jeffrey (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 576 Pages - 03/14/2023 (Publication Date) - Simon & Schuster (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 5
Harry S. Truman: The American Presidents Series: The 33rd President, 1945-1953
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Dallek, Robert (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
SaleBestseller No. 6
Memoirs By Harry S. Truman: 1945 Year of Decisions
  • Used Book in Good Condition
  • Hardcover Book
  • Harry S. Truman (Author)

We get commissions for purchases made through links on this website. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Comments