Harry S. TrumanPPT
Background and Early LifeHarry S. Truman was born on May 8, 1884 in** Lamar, ...
Background and Early LifeHarry S. Truman was born on May 8, 1884 in** Lamar, Missouri**. He was the youngest child of three born to John and Martha Truman. His father was a farmer and unsuccessful landlord, and his mother was a homemaker who also owned and operated a small farm.After graduating from high school in** Grandview, Missouri** in 1901, Truman worked as a teller and bookkeeper for a local bank. He later joined the** Missouri National Guard** as a private and was promoted to captain in 1911. Truman married** Bess Wallace** on July 6, 1919, with whom he had three children.Political CareerSenatorTruman's political career began when he was elected assistant secretary of the navy in 1919. He left the navy department in 1922 to run for and win a seat in the U.S. Senate from Missouri, where he served for two terms until 1935. As a senator, Truman supported many of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal policies and opposed isolationism.Vice PresidentIn 1944, Roosevelt selected Truman as his running mate for the presidential election that year. The duo won re-election easily, with Truman taking over as vice president when Roosevelt died in office in April 1945. As vice president, Truman supported the Potsdam Declaration and Yalta Conference , which helped to end World War II.PresidencyWorld War II and the Atomic BombAs president, Truman immediately had to grapple with the aftermath of World War II, including the rebuilding of Europe and Asia and the refugee crisis. He also inherited Roosevelt's plan to end the war with a "united nations" that would promote global cooperation and prevent future conflicts.One of Truman's most important decisions as president was whether or not to use the atomic bomb against Japan. After learning of Roosevelt's decision to build the bomb and receiving updated reports on its potential use, Truman authorized their deployment against Japan, leading to Japan's surrender in 1945.Cold War and Korean WarImmediately after the war, Truman found himself engaged in a new conflict—the Cold War with the Soviet Union. He authorized aid to NATO , established the Truman Doctrine to provide military assistance to Greece and Turkey, and oversaw the creation of McCarthyism , a fervent anticommunist sentiment in America that often targeted American citizens and allies alike for loyalty oaths and surveillance.In 1950, Truman also became embroiled in the Korean War , which saw Communist North Korea invade the capitalist South Korea. Truman sent troops to support South Korea and authorized the use of napalm and other firearms that were criticized by some as inhumane. The war dragged on for three more years before an armistice was signed in 1953.Post-PresidencyAfter leaving office, Truman toured the country giving speeches and writing his memoirs, which were published in 1956 as Years of Trial and Hope. He died of a stroke on December 26, 1972 at the age of 88 in** Kansas City, Missouri**.
