As Vice President, Harry S. Truman seldom saw President Roosevelt, therefore acquiring no updates on the progress of the atomic bomb or the developing predicament with Communist Russia. After Roosevelt’s unexpected death, these dilemmas as well as an array of wartime problems became Truman’s to resolve as the new president. When he came into office on April 2nd, 1945, World War II was nearing its end, leaving Europe in absolute chaos. Truman had to search for ways to aid the country in picking up the pieces from war. Thus, in a foreign and domestic sense, he inherited a country in total turmoil and disorientation. Americans at home still could not feel the devastation caused by the war, which ultimately contributed to the failure of …show more content…
Additionally, Americans feared Soviet motives. In April 1941, the Soviet Union signed the non-aggression pact with Japan, however after Germany’s defeat, they declared war on Japan on August 9th, 1945. The increase in Soviet influence in Eastern Europe, after the surrender of Germany, and perhaps in Asia, if the declaration of war actually occurred, troubled the United States. Unease at the fact that an attack on Japan would cause extreme American military losses resulted in the atomic bomb drop. Due to this, President Truman delivered the Truman Doctrine. “The Truman Doctrine amounted to a declaration against Russian influence beyond the boundaries laid down in 1945” (73). This document showed America’s first strides towards repressing communism. Truman reacted before Russia had the chance to expand its communism across Europe.
George Marshall occupied the Secretary of State position during Truman’s presidency. He impacted Truman’s foreign policies regarding Europe. He believed that in order to halt the expansion of a communist regime, European countries needed to become stronger and autonomous. Marshall understood that limiting communism would require time and effort. He recognized that to become independent, European countries would primarily have to rely on the aid of other countries in order to regain a foothold. He did not however, want these countries to depend on Russia for assistance, as it would allow Russia
The United States decision to release the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was a way to intimidate the Soviet Union. The United States did this by revealing to the Soviet Union what they were capable of doing during war. According to Document 3, Dwight D. Eisenhower did not want the Soviet Union to enter the war. Eisenhower believed that the United States did not need aid from the Soviet Union during war. Also, according to Document
America was finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel by April of 1945. With Stalin committed to entering war with Japan in alliance with the United States, and German troops dropping like flies, the last thing America needed was for Franklin D. Roosevelt to die. Entering his fourth term, Harry S. Truman accompanied him as the Vice President. Truman’s predecessor, as it turns out, was Henry A. Wallace, “an unapologetic (somewhat over enthusiastic) liberal, that had so infuriated the conservative wing of the Democratic party, the party bosses were desperate to be rid of him.”1 The drastic contrast in political views between Wallace and Truman made it clear that if put in any of the situations Truman eventually was, Wallace would
When Harry S. Truman left the presidency in January 1953, he was one of the most unpopular politicians in the United States. However, this is unjustified as he was a real democrat for the people and was an honest president. Furthermore, he did not make many poor discussions nor was he inadequate leader, yet he got undeserved and bias criticism by the people of the United States. Truman continually faced tough challenges and had to pick up from where Franklin D. Roosevelt 's unanticipated death left the nation in a mess. He was the Commander in Chief of the United States military during the final months of World War II. Under his command, the U.S. dropped two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, effectively ending the war. For many Americans, Truman 's legacy as the nation 's leader centres on these controversial decisions. He had courage, imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand, yet he was branded as a bad president during his time. In spite of that, he has overcome his challenges and had stayed strong even after he returned to private life,
How a U.S. president utilizes communication and develops his skills is often thought of as one of the most important parts of a presidency. Communication not only allows a president to ensure that his ideas are properly heard and interpreted, but it also allows him to gain valuable support from both the public and from other entities within the government. Without proper communication, a president such as Harry S. Truman is likely to find it difficult to accomplish his goals during his time in office.
Germany surrendered on May 8, and Truman also approved of dropping the atomic bombs on Japan in August. In the book The Cold War, by John Lewis Gaddis on page 26, Lewis discusses that Truman believed it was the only way to end the war. He saw the Soviet Union as a threat because they wanted to expand communism. At first Truman thought he could work with Stalin, he wrote in his diary, “I can deal with Stalin. He is honest, but smart as hell.”
The United States (and the Cold War’s) intent not to directly engage the Soviets with direct conflict let to the political positon of containment by the United States following the end of World War II. The use of two atomic bombs, the defeat of Germany, and the Soviets declaring war on the Japanese was enough to convince Japan to surrender, which they did at the end of August in 1945. The actions that the United States and the Soviets took after the Japanese surrender were still in their own best interest but were intended to be indirect and not create a direct conflict between the new superpowers. The spread of communism or what was coined “The Red scare” in the United States, was a real probability based on the number of Asian, African, Middle Eastern, Latin, and European countries that were on the cusp of political change and or influence at the end of World War II. When the Soviets went back on their word of allowing free elections in countries like Poland, it was deemed by the U.S. that a position of containment needed to be taken to stop the spread of communism that could eventually lead to the fall or
Truman’s time as president came at a point full of conflict and social changes that affected the world. Only a month after being sworn into office the Germans surrendered, putting a halt
Prior to watching the film series on President Truman I knew primarily that he had succeeded FDR, had made the decision to drop the Atomic bombs, and the iconic photo of the headline Dewey beats Truman. During his time as president, President Truman was roundly criticize by the American Public. Not only did he have the misfortune of assuming office from FDR one of the most popular American presidents but he also had to deal with the rebuilding of Europe, Tensions with the Soviet Union and a post war American Economy. However, with the passage of time history has been kind to Truman, and he, and the policies he implemented, and decisions he made are viewed more favorable. A primary reason for this is that many of the unpopular policies he implemented took time to be fully realized.
Japans assault on Pearl Harbor was what pushed the United Staes to end up in WWII. After numerous fights and losses against the Japanese, Truman knew the time had come to make a move to end this war. Variables that legitimize the dropping of the nuclear bombs are to anticipate any longer setbacks, reason impact on the soviet union, local legislative issues, and the come up short of the Potsdam Declaration. Contentions made against utilizing the bombs are the setbacks of guiltless lives, and Japans armed force at the purpose of falling. Truman 's choice to drop the bombs was a helpful decision. The utilizing of the nuclear bombs likewise had its post-war clashes; radiation in Japan, and struggle between United States and Soviet Union.
Throughout history there have been many important decisions made by our presidents that have affected our country for the better and for the worse. Even though people claim that they could have made better judgement calls than what have been decided, no one knows exactly what circumstances the president is under when the decisions have to be made. In the case of President Harry Truman and the dropping of the atomic bomb, many speculators say that it was a great way to resolve the war with Japan while others contradict the action. Through time and preparation, President Truman’s courageous decision was an answer to end a crisis and by far one of the best problem solving solutions in American history.
Harry S. Truman became commander in chief of the United States after the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt on April 12, 1945. In the course of Truman’s eight years in office he came across with massive challenges in both foreign and domestic affairs. Truman’s approaches toward the Soviet Union in the Cold War, and overseas became a major way of leading foreign policy in America 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.
Introduction After the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the new president Harry Truman became president and was faced with crucial decisions which would steer the future of the war. Harry Truman was alerted about the very confidential Manhattan Project to build a working atomic bomb. Just as soon as the Japanese Islands of Iwo Jima and Okinawa were taken from them, the time to attack Japan was soon arising. Japanese soldiers deployed in those two Islands killed or wounded over 89 thousand Americans(PBS.org). Harry Truman was right to drop the Atomic Bombs because it saved considerable American and Japanese lives, ender WW2 faster, and turned the USA into a global superpower.
When Harry Truman was elected in 1945, he was very unaware of the extreme war-like conditions and decisions that he would have to make during his term as president. When World War II had started, it became his mission to defeat the great world powers of Germany, Italy and most importantly, Japan in order to put the war to an end. Nearing the end of the war, when the United States and their allies had almost put an end on the fighting, all Truman for victory was Japan to surrender. Japan at the time, however, was not willing to surrender, willing to fight until every last man was dead. Since their army was north of two million strong, the United States needed to take drastic measures to end the war and save U.S. soldiers’ lives. Harry Truman’s
A multitude of influential presidents have come and gone in America, although none like Harry S. Truman. This above average president is one to be recognized for his unbelievable achievements within political foreign policies and governing here in the states. Although first struggling to gain his balance after the sudden death of his predecessor, Truman remained loyal to the Unites States and proved to be one of the most charismatic, and beneficial presidents that the nation has ever seen. The influences of Truman’s early life and introduction to politics, as well as the unexpected win of presidency and constant failures and triumphs shaped this man’s life as well as those of the American people.
In the 1948 presidential election, the expectations of Harry Truman and Thomas Dewey drastically reversed. In the beginning of his presidency, Truman was unpopular compared to the beloved Franklin D Roosevelt who died before completing his fourth term. While Americans mourned, they wondered how the vice president would lead the country after WWII. Unfortunately Truman’s speeches were choppy and stiff, and Americans felt estranged from him, blaming him for economic troubles of inflation and shortages of oil and rubber. In contrast, the Republican candidate Dewey was eloquent and confident, attracting many and boosting his rating in polls.