Truman's Presidency
His first year as the President was his "year of decisions". He oversaw the two months of the ending of the war in Europe. He was in Potsdam, Germany governing the defeated Germany and making plans to win the war against Japan. He later approved the dropping of two atomic bombs on Japan on August 6th and 9th in 1945. On August 14th Japan surrendered. He later saw the founding of the United Nations and developed a rough relationship with the Soviet Union.
President Truman's goal throughout his presidency was to prevent the expansion of the Soviet Union. Truman Doctrine gave foreign countries the aid and the supplies they needed to resist the expansion of communism. Marshal plan was installed to support the economies of the European countries in hope that the communism wouldn't spread. NATO built a military barrier confronting the Soviet dominated part of Europe. Truman's recognition of Israel in May 1948 showed his support for democracy and his commitment for the homeland of the Jewish people. During his presidency only one communist country invaded a non-communist; North Korea invaded South Korea in June 1950. Truman then responded by waging an undeclared war.
In his domestic policies he was trying to accomplish the transition from a war to a peace economy without plunging the nation into recession, and he hoped to extend the New Deal social programs, to provide more government protection and services to reach more people. He achieved the peacetime economy; however, only a few of his social programs proposals became into laws. At the time the Congress was made up of mainly republicans so they did not share the same ideals on the New Deal policies.
As the president he had the power to issue executive forces to desegregate the armed forces and to forbid racial discrimination in the Federal Employment. He also established a committee on Civil Rights movement and encouraged the Justice Department to argue before the Supreme Court against segregation.
In 1948 Truman won the reelection even though many expected and some even predicted that he would lose. His energy and willingness to confront issues won him the presidency for the second term.
Truman retired in January 1953 and lived out his life as "Mr. Citizen" as he liked to call himself. He spent his days reading, writing, lecturing and taking long walks. He had the satisfaction in founding and supporting his library which came very useful to many scholars. He opened doors for anyone who wanted a glimpse of his remarkable life and career.
Harry S. Truman died on December 26 1982. His wife Bess Truman died on October 18th 1982. The are buried side by side in the Library's courtyard.
President Truman's goal throughout his presidency was to prevent the expansion of the Soviet Union. Truman Doctrine gave foreign countries the aid and the supplies they needed to resist the expansion of communism. Marshal plan was installed to support the economies of the European countries in hope that the communism wouldn't spread. NATO built a military barrier confronting the Soviet dominated part of Europe. Truman's recognition of Israel in May 1948 showed his support for democracy and his commitment for the homeland of the Jewish people. During his presidency only one communist country invaded a non-communist; North Korea invaded South Korea in June 1950. Truman then responded by waging an undeclared war.
In his domestic policies he was trying to accomplish the transition from a war to a peace economy without plunging the nation into recession, and he hoped to extend the New Deal social programs, to provide more government protection and services to reach more people. He achieved the peacetime economy; however, only a few of his social programs proposals became into laws. At the time the Congress was made up of mainly republicans so they did not share the same ideals on the New Deal policies.
As the president he had the power to issue executive forces to desegregate the armed forces and to forbid racial discrimination in the Federal Employment. He also established a committee on Civil Rights movement and encouraged the Justice Department to argue before the Supreme Court against segregation.
In 1948 Truman won the reelection even though many expected and some even predicted that he would lose. His energy and willingness to confront issues won him the presidency for the second term.
Truman retired in January 1953 and lived out his life as "Mr. Citizen" as he liked to call himself. He spent his days reading, writing, lecturing and taking long walks. He had the satisfaction in founding and supporting his library which came very useful to many scholars. He opened doors for anyone who wanted a glimpse of his remarkable life and career.
Harry S. Truman died on December 26 1982. His wife Bess Truman died on October 18th 1982. The are buried side by side in the Library's courtyard.