Harry Truman
During his presidential terms Harry Truman showed resilience when faced with the many foreign affairs he faced. Events that would highlight Truman’s characteristics as an admirable leader include the hardships he faced during World War II, and his efforts for the containment of communism during the Cold War tensions.
Truman fell into office after Franklin Delano Roosevelt passed away from a cerebral hemorrhage, he was sworn into office on April 12, 1845 therefore becoming the 33rd president of the United States. Within a month of Truman’s position in office, World War II in Europe had nearly concluded, within a month Hitler had committed suicide and Germany were throwing up the white flag, however the war in the Pacific with Japan had escalated. Military planners advocated an Allied invasion of Japan, which Truman contradicted that this strategy would prolong the war another year and result in many American soldier casualties. Truman knew a second option existed through the Manhattan Project that developed the atomic bomb, while attending the Potsdam Conference, which discussed on how to make Japan surrender, Truman was informed that a test of the atomic bomb had been successful, his efforts for an earlier conclusion of the war were in action. Truman approved to drop the atomic bomb on Japan; then on August 6, 1945 the B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped the first bomb on Hiroshima. Estimates of the casualties are severe but upwards of 100,000 civilians perished instantly. Japan had not surrendered yet and then the second bomb was dropped on August 9th on Nagasaki, five days later the Japanese surrendered thus on September 2nd 1945, World War II had finally concluded.
` Although this war was over, the Cold War was just b...
... middle of paper ...
...the controversy of the dropping of the atomic bomb being considered inhumane and racist by the American public. In addition, his handling of the early Cold War tension would be considered impressive by a president who claimed he was not very experienced in foreign affairs; he still pulled through with the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan which contributed towards future containment policies during the Cold War. A leader is someone who takes initiative no matter how inexperienced or unsophisticated they may be, this is noticeable in Truman because he did not ask to be President of the United States, the title was just bestowed on him and he took action. Handling every situation to the best of his abilities despite the hardships and circumstances. Truman was a great leader in a time where his country needed him the most, and he planned to serve his county well.
Both Truman’s and Eisenhower’s governments were engaged in the Cold War, and contributed to increased tensions with Russia. Truman was the initiator of the containment policy, which was implemented throughout the duration of the Cold War. This policy was put into effect in order to prevent the spread of communism.
Truman had thought through the possibilities and had decided that using the bomb would be the most effective and quickest tactic. As a president Truman had a responsibility to protect his country, citizens, and foreign affairs, so deciding on the best method to establish everybody’s needs was difficult. There were many things to worry about: fighting on Iwo Jima and Okinawa, bombing Japan, and building the bomb. His decision was mainly based on how the US citizens felt and the following actions of japan. Japan refused to accept an unconditional surrender, which was demanded by the allied powers in order to stop the war against them. On August 6, 1945 Truman allowed Enola Gay to drop the atomic bomb on top of Hiroshima and later Nagasaki to end the war.
Truman’s accomplishments in his domestic policy were impressive, considering the hardships the nation was experiencing as World War II came to an end, and the resistance of Congress (which was greatly made up of Republicans and conservatives) to liberalism. The president was able to pas...
The United States entered WW II immediately following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The U.S. entry was a major turning point in the war because it brought the strongest industrial strength to the Allied side. The Americans helped the Allies to win the war in Europe with the surrender of Germany on May 7, 1945. However, the war in the Pacific continued. The war with Japan at this point consisted primarily of strategic bombings. America had recently completed an atomic bomb and was considering using this weapon of mass destruction for the first time. The goal was to force the “unconditional surrender” of the Japanese. Roosevelt had used the term “unconditional surrender” in a press conference in 1943 and it had since become a central war aim. Truman and his staff (still feeling bound by FDR’s words) demanded unconditional surrender from the Japanese. Consequently on July 26, 1945 Truman issued an ultimatum to Japan. This ultimatum stated that Japan must accept “unconditional surrender” or suffer “utter devastation of the Japanese Homeland”. This surrender included abdication of the throne by their emperor. Japan was not willing to surrender their dynasty and ignored the ultimatum. On August 6th and August 9th, atomic bombs were dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki respectively.
When WWII ended, Americans were left in the hands of Harry Truman. Known as an aggressive Cold War fighter, he led Americans against...
President Harry Truman came into office right at the end of World War II, after the death of President Franklin Roosevelt. Almost immediately after becoming president, Truman learned of the Manhattan Project, and had to decide whether or not to use the atomic bomb. With the advice of James Byrnes, Secretary of State, Truman decided to drop two atomic bombs on Japan, in part to demonstrate America’s power to the world and gain a political advantage in Europe (Offner 294). After World War II ended, there were negotiations about Germany, and it was decided that Germany would be split into two halves; the western half would be controlled by the United States and its allies, while the eastern half would be controlled by the Soviet Union. This situation led to increased tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union because of the two nations’ different political and economic systems.
President Harry Truman had many big decisions to make. Those decisions would greatly affect Americans and people around the world. In one of the most important of Truman’s decisions, he persuaded the American people to act generously to the defeated nations. What he had in mind had never been done before in the history of t...
Under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration, the atomic bomb was being developed. After Roosevelt died, his vice president Harry Truman was appointed President of the United States. Truman was never informed about the bombs development until an emergency cabinet meeting (Kuznick 9). Truman had to make the fatal decision on whether the bomb was to be dropped on Japan. With the idea of going to war, Truman had to think about the lives of the thousand American soldiers.
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.
There probably is not a leader who would not go to any length to protect his or her country. Truman did what he believed he had to make his country move on and to end World War II. There has not been a downward spiral with weapon usage since then either. No country has used a more destructive weapon on another country since the two bombings so the United States has not caused an even more violent Earth. President Harry S. Truman made the right call and ended the war.
Throughout the history of the United States there has been extraordinary individuals both in business and government that have demonstrated their abilities to be affective leaders among the people in which they are in charge of. There are many definitions of what a leader is and what characteristics a leader should have. One man that demonstrates all aspects of a leader and that has been deemed on the list of one of the greatest presidents who has ever served respectfully belongs to Franklin D. Roosevelt.
war he showed to be a great leader during it. He never gave up on anything he
Harry Truman (1884-1972) was the most influential person in the race for the super bomb. As President Roosevelt’s Vice President, he knew nothing about the development of the atomic bomb. But within months of assuming the office of President of the United States on April 12, 1945, he became the first and only American leader to authorize the use of atomic weapons against an enemy target. Truman’s era only marked the beginning of the race for nuclear weapons. The development of nuclear weapons is still an issue today, decades after Truman left office.
Harry Truman was the united states president that took over after president roosevelt . died at the beginning of his fourth term. As well as in the middle of the war against japan and towards the end of the war on germany and fashisom.but even tho he took charge in the middle of two wars and had to make many important decisions regarding the lives of his people as well as the lives of his enemy and their people.but in the midst of these decisions there is one that stood out. With the completion and success of the manhattan project. Came an opportunity to win the war in the pacific.but i would change the way war is fought forever.the decision which brought the united states into the atomic era. The decision he made was to use the hydrogen bomb
For decades, Harry Truman, the 33rd President of the United States of America, will always be remembered as the man who took the decision to launch the atomic bomb in two cities of Japan, Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. The president takes measure, which was a very important decision and any President would ever have to make. Harry Truman, the 33rd President of the United States, is known for the decision to drop the bomb in Japan in August 1945.