Before beginning his political career, Harry S. Truman served in the army. His career in politics began as a county court judge. He then became a senator and later went on to become the vice president during Roosevelt’s fourth term.
During his early days as vice president, he did not have any idea about the development of the atom bomb and the problems it was going to create. He also did not know about the unfolding difficulties with Soviet Russia. All of these later fell on his shoulder to deal with.
“I felt like the moon, the stars, and all the planets had fallen on me.” This was Truman’s response upon becoming the 33rd president of America. Things were not peaceful when Truman took office. The Second World War was not yet over; Germany was defeated but Japan was still fighting on. Perhaps, Truman made one of the toughest of America’s decisions; to use the atom bomb. The U.S bombed two Japanese cities, killing or wounding thousands of people and leaving its impact forever.
In 1947, when the Soviet Union threatened Turkey and Greece, Truman asked Congress to aid the two countries. This came to be known as the Truman Doctrine. He later came up with the Marshall Plan, a strategy for economic recovery in war-torn Western Europe. The plan was named after his Secretary of State, George Marshall. Truman’s international fame does not end here.
When the Russians blockaded the western sectors of Berlin in 1948, Truman created a massive airlift to reach supplies to Berliners until the Russians backed down. Matters on the home front too, got his attention. He continued with Roosevelt’s policies to ensure job security. He passed laws to end unfair treatment for African Americans at work and in the military. His administration successfully guided the U.S. economy through the post-war economic challenges.
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