During his few weeks as Vice President, Harry S. Truman barely saw President Roosevelt, and received no briefing on the development of the atomic bomb or the unfolding difficulties with Soviet Russia. Suddenly these and a host of other wartime problems became Truman's to solve when, on April 12, 1945, he became President (whitehouse.gov). Truman was born in Lamar, Missouri, in 1884. He grew up in Independence, and for 12 years prospered as a Missouri farmer (Ferrell 2/3). Active in the Democratic Party, Truman was elected a judge of the Jackson County Court in 1922 and he became a Senator in 1934. During World War II he headed the Senate war investigating committee, checking into waste and corruption and saving perhaps as much as 15 billion dollars (whitehouse.gov).
As President, Truman made some of the most crucial decisions in history. Soon after V-E Day, the war against Japan had reached its final stage (millercenter.org). An urgent plea to Japan to surrender was rejected. Truman, after consultations with his advisers, ordered atomic bombs dropped on cities devoted to war work. Two were Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japanese surrender quickly followed (whitehouse.gov). .
It was possibly Truman's most controversial decision during his tenure as president. Some believed that dropping one atomic bomb was more than enough, and the second bombing was clearly superfluous (Ferrell 55). However, Truman was influenced by the behavior of Japan throughout World War II (Ferrell 55/56). The surprise attack of Pearl Harbor and the treatment of prisoners of war were the main reasons behind the bombings (Ferrell 56). To the public, Truman stuck by his actions, saying, "he had no other possible course, and the decision was easy" (Ferrell 55). He didn't regret his actions because "it saved 250,000 or half a million American lives [and] he had made the best decision he could" (Ferrell 56). Truman was smart in sticking to his guns in the public eye because he needed Americans to know that his actions were justified.
After making the decision to end World War II by dropping to atomic bombs on Japan, Truman entered a period of time that he would not even out last. ... Harry Truman perpetuated the feeling that communism was evil, and something that had to be nipped in the bud. ... This and a loyalty to war and peace time allies is the basis for the Truman Doctrine. ... So on March 12, 1947 Harry S. ... What Harry S. ...
Harry Truman Harry Truman witnessed and was part of some of the most memorable event in U.S. and world History. ... Around the same time of his marriage, Truman opened up a clothing store with an old war buddy; this didn't last to long, because of the economy of the country at the time. ... In 1934 Harry Truman was elected U.S. ... The day that changed Harry Truman's life forever was the day that FDR past away while in office. ... In 1947 Harry Truman also introduced to Marshall Plan. ...
In Truman, David McCullough asks, "Was Harry Truman an ordinary provincial American sadly miscast in the presidency? ... Born to Martha Ellen Young and John Anderson Truman in 1884, Harry came from a line of frontier settlers on both sides and they were exceptionally wealthy by the time Harry was born. ... During his time fighting in World War I, Harry discovered leadership skills he never knew he possessed. He made many lifelong connections, one of which would change his life forever. ... During his time in the Senate, Harry was also the head investigator of the "Truman Committee". ...
After the atomic bombs were dropped, Harry Truman responded to a letter from Irv Kupcinet of the Chicago Sun Times. ... Harry Truman). ... Harry Truman). ... At the time, only few knew of the development of the atomic bombs. ... Hiroshima, Kokura, Niigata, and Nagasaki were listed with the order of military importance, but a specific site might be changed depending on the weather at the time of the bombing. ...
Politics: During the fifties and what was the post WWII period in America, the face of the nation changed greatly under the presidency of Truman and Eisenhower. When WWII ended, Americans were left in the hands of Harry Truman. ... During Truman's time in office the United States would join South Korea in the war against North Korea. Truman would also order the Atomic Energy Committee to develop the hydrogen bomb. ... Culture: It was a wonderful time to be alive. ...
Politics: During the fifties and what was the post WWII period in America, the face of the nation changed greatly under the presidency of Truman and Eisenhower. When WWII ended, Americans were left in the hands of Harry Truman. ... During Truman's time in office the United States would join South Korea in the war against North Korea. Truman would also order the Atomic Energy Committee to develop the hydrogen bomb. ... Culture: It was a wonderful time to be alive. ...
Harry Truman was born in a small town in Missouri, and he grew up on a farm with his family. ... " At the time, going to war with Korea was a popular agreement, but Harry Truman was having second guesses. ... " (Harry Truman). ... Truman came from a time and place where you did not talk about your distress. Still to this day, many wonder if there was anything that made Truman changed his mind about the atomic bomb. ...
Harry Truman and "The Bomb" The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki marked the end to the world's largest armed conflict. ... President Harry S. ... During the change they chose to rename the project. The name was changed to the "Manhattan Project." ... This was the first time that a weapon of this magnitude had ever been used in a war. ...
It seemed everywhere the Truman's stopped the reporters were there to ask questions and Harry could rarely if ever say no. ... Truman if he would take the time to visit his 92 yr old, lifelong Democrat mother who was very ill. ... At the Gulf station in Frederick, Maryland, Harry even took time to have Coke with a staunch Democrat and devout Republican. ... He also loved seeing how technology changed over time, things like the addition of gauges that showed speed, temp direction and communication with the "grounded " world, always seemed to be something that Truman would enjoy. ... Good...
