Harry S Truman

Harry S. Truman became President of the United States with the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt on April 12, 1945. During his nearly eight years in office, Truman confronted enormous challenges in both foreign and domestic affairs. Truman's policies abroad, and especially toward the Soviet Union in the emerging Cold War, would become staples of American foreign policy for generations. At home, Truman protected and reinforced the New Deal reforms of his predecessor, guided the American economy from a war-time to a peace-time footing, and advanced the cause of African-American civil rights. Historians now rank Truman among the nation's best Presidents.

No government is perfect. One of the chief virtues of a democracy, however, is that its defects are always visible and under democratic processes can be pointed out and corrected. Truman Doctrine
Truman Doctrine

Legacy

Truman had been vice president only 83 days when President Roosevelt’s untimely death thrust him into the presidency. Though World War II was in its final days, the weight of the world was laid at Truman’s feet.

In early May of 1945 the World War II Allies formally accepted the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany. However, Japan still refused to surrender. Truman consulted with his advisers and then ordered that two atomic bombs be dropped on Japan: one on Hiroshima, the other on Nagasaki. The consequences were devastating as tens of thousands were killed immediately. The Japanese surrendered quickly, bringing the war to an end.

Harry S Truman

Harry S Truman

Legacy

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