Harry Truman - President of the USA. Biography, nationality, photo, years of government, foreign policy. Truman Harry - biography, facts from life, photographs, background information
Kansas City, Missouri
Western Front
Harry Truman continued social and economic reforms in the spirit of the New Deal of his predecessor Franklin Roosevelt. The beginning of the Cold War is also associated with his name. Truman advocated tough opposition to the USSR and communist forces and the establishment of sole US leadership throughout the world.
Early years
The family moved several times, and when Harry was 6 years old, they settled in Independence, Missouri. At the age of 8, he went to school and was interested in music (until the age of 15 he played the piano), reading and history. After graduating from school, Harry entered college, but after studying for only one semester, he was forced to quit his studies and look for a job. He changed many different occupations - he worked on the railroad, in an editorial office, as a bank clerk, and as an agricultural worker.
First World War
In early 1944, Hannigan took over as chairman of the Democratic National Committee, and this played a significant role in Truman's subsequent political career. At the same year presidential elections he was nominated as a vice presidential candidate against President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was running for a fourth term. Truman was nominated by the Democratic leadership to replace former Vice President Henry Wallace, who was considered too liberal. The 1944 elections ended in a landslide victory for the Roosevelt-Truman pair. However, during his 82-day vice presidency, which began on January 20, 1945, Truman met with Roosevelt only twice; he was not involved in solving key foreign policy issues. He also did not know about the project to create an atomic bomb.
On April 12, 1945, after the sudden death of Roosevelt, Truman, according to the US Constitution, assumed the presidency.
Presidency period
Almost from the very first days of his presidency, Truman began to revise one of the fundamental elements of Roosevelt's foreign policy - allied relations with the USSR. Truman tried to resolve emerging disagreements (especially on issues of the post-war system in Eastern Europe) without taking into account interests Soviet Union, from a position of strength.
End of World War II
The primary tasks facing Truman were the completion of World War II and the post-war settlement. After the surrender of Germany, Truman took part in the Potsdam Conference (July 17 - August 2, 1945), which established the basic parameters for the post-war development of Europe.
Truman believed that Roosevelt at the Yalta conference made too many concessions to Stalin. Disagreements arose regarding the liberation of Europe and especially Eastern Europe. On July 24, Truman notified Stalin that the United States had created atomic bomb without saying it directly. In his Potsdam diary, the President wrote: “We have developed the most terrible weapon in the history of mankind... These weapons will be used against Japan... so that military installations, soldiers and sailors will be the targets, not women and children. Even if the Japanese are wild - merciless, cruel and fanatical, then we, as the leaders of the world, for the common good cannot drop this terrible bomb on either the old or the new capital.” In August 1945, Truman initiated the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. After this, US troops occupied Japan.
Cold War
After the war, relations between the USSR and the USA began to deteriorate. On March 5, Winston Churchill, who was then in the United States, received an invitation from Westminster College (Missouri) in Fulton (Missouri) to give a lecture on “world affairs.” Churchill stipulated that Truman must accompany him to Fulton and be present at the speech he would give. On March 12, 1947, Truman proclaimed his doctrine, which included assistance to Turkey and Greece in order to save them from “international communism.” This was one of the key events of the beginning of the Cold War.
Marshall Plan
During Truman's time, Monroe's concept no longer satisfied the ambitions of the ruling classes, since the United States, as a result of the Second World War (1939 - 1945), gained power as an economic superpower. The essence of the concept: intervention in the internal affairs of states in order to counter the communist threat, since the interests of the United States allegedly suffered from the fall of the democratic regime.
Assassination attempt
In September 1940, during his campaign for the Senate, Truman was elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri. Truman said later, that the Masonic elections brought confidence in his victory in the general elections.
In 1945 he was elevated to the 33° (Sovereign High Inspector General) of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, and became an honorary member of the supreme council of jurisdiction in Washington under the Supreme Council of the Southern Jurisdiction.
In 1959, he was awarded an honorary award in honor of 50 years of service to the Masonic Order.
- On Harry Truman's desk there was a sign that read, "The chip goes no further." Truman made this phrase from the everyday life of poker players his motto.
- « Truman" - Finnish nickname for Soviet American-made E-series steam locomotives, some of which, for political reasons, ended up on railways Finland.
- « Truman"was called the ZIL-157 truck.
- The hero of the popular television series Twin Peaks in the 90s, Sheriff Harry Truman, is named after him.
- The US Navy aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) is named after him.
Image in cinema
- “Flags of Our Fathers” (USA) directed by Clint Eastwood, starring David Patrick Kelly as President Truman.
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- Nikolay Zlobin.. "Continent" (2001, No. 110). Retrieved September 8, 2012. .
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ECONOMIC PARALLELS
V.V. Motylev
US PRESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS. HARRY S. TRUMAN
Harry S Truman unexpectedly became President of the United States on April 12, 1945 after the sudden death of F.D. Roosevelt. Back in the summer of 1944, the leadership of the Democratic Party nominated him for the post of vice president as a reliable, experienced and authoritative statesman. By this time, Truman was a combat veteran of the First World War, an experienced lawyer, and a senator with ten years of experience. President F.D. Roosevelt supported his candidacy. On July 21, 1944, Roosevelt wrote in a letter to Truman: “I am, of course, very glad that you will be elected with me.”1 Truman cites this letter in his memoirs. It is known that Roosevelt, knowing about his serious illness, was looking for a successor and told Truman about it. In November 1944, Truman was elected to White House, becoming in January 1945 vice president - the second person in the government. But he stayed in this post for only 3.5 months. In April 1945, a hail of urgent government affairs hit him. At a meeting with reporters in mid-April, Truman admitted: he felt that the moon and stars, along with the planets, had fallen on him.
As President, he was immediately given the duties of Commander-in-Chief of the United States Armed Forces. This period marked the end of the war against German fascism and Japanese militarism. It was urgent to delve into the course of battles in Europe and the Pacific and make decisions. In addition, preparations were underway for international conferences in San Francisco and Potsdam. Most importantly, President Truman had to solve one of the most difficult problems of his life - the use of atomic weapons. US historians believe that he handled his duties with honor.
New US President
Although in 1944 F. Roosevelt persuaded G. Truman to agree to the post of vice president, Truman was not part of Roosevelt’s narrow circle of associates and advisers. He was not fully aware of government affairs. About
learned about the atomic bomb shortly before Roosevelt's death. According to G. Truman, although he was well versed in the internal problems of the United States, he did not know enough about the specifics of international relations.
As an experienced senator from Missouri, Truman had previously made no claim to a prominent role in history. He realized what qualities would be required of him new role in the White House, therefore he asked the government for help to continue the normal work of the Cabinet of Ministers. However, President Truman was soon faced with the need to reorganize the government. Roosevelt's associates and advisers began to gradually leave the government as they became accustomed to his style of work. So, within a few months, Secretary of State E. Stettinius, Minister of the Interior G. Ikes, Minister agriculture C. Anderson, member Supreme Court G. Morgenthau and others2.
The period of reorganization of the US Cabinet coincided with the end of World War II. At this time, G. Truman had to make difficult political decisions on international issues: on the final defeat of German fascism and Japanese militarism, on preparations for the Potsdam Conference of Great Powers, on the use of atomic weapons against Japan. Within a month after taking office, the new US president received reports from defeated Germany, and Generals J. Marshall and D. Eisenhower reported to him about the planned strategic operations and the unconditional surrender of Germany.
In the second half of April 1945, there was a continuous exchange of telegrams and codes between President G. Truman, Prime Minister W. Churchill and Marshal I. Stalin. They agreed on the dates of military battles. The US General Staff decided not to attack Berlin. As you know, the assault on Berlin was carried out by the Soviet army under the leadership of Marshal G. Zhukov. The American army was at that moment 100-200 km west of Berlin.
Potsdam Conference
The most difficult question Diplomacy was preparing for the Great Powers Conference in Berlin. In July 1945, President G. Truman, heading the American delegation at the international Potsdam Conference, met with I. Stalin for the first time. Historians believe that in Potsdam, as at the Yalta Conference, Marshal Stalin was in good physical shape: he often spoke without notes, recalled many figures and facts, and showed on the map the boundaries of the German occupation zones. During negotiations, disputes and disagreements, Stalin insisted on his own, but to relieve tension he smiled and even joked.
At the Potsdam Conference, the boundaries of the German occupation zones were clarified and it was determined that the border of the Soviet occupation zone would run west of Berlin. France received its zone in West Germany.
The Allies spent a lot of time discussing the issue of reparations. Stalin insisted that the USSR would export equipment from German military factories and use it to restore civilian production. A reparations formula was determined: 56% to the Soviet Union and 22% each to the USA and England. Stalin made demands for the division of the German navy. Churchill insisted that the German navy must be sunk (his old dream from the time England fought a war with Germany alone). Stalin agreed, saying that he would like to get a third of the German navy, and Churchill could sink his share of the spoils. (Truman's Memoirs. Vol. 1. P. 350)
The issue of Poland's borders occupied a large place at the conference. Stalin insisted that Silesia be given to Poland. Then the Polish border will move to the West at the expense of German territory. As a result of long debates, a decision was made that Stalin insisted on. Republican Party leaders later criticized Roosevelt and Truman for this.
At the Potsdam Conference, many military-political and diplomatic issues were successfully resolved. But Stalin managed to take advantage of the new US president's inexperience in international negotiations.
At that time, G. Truman still hoped to find mutual understanding with the Soviet leader, but he soon became convinced that he was suspicious and insidious, although he skillfully hid it. Truman still had to be with him at the conference common language. Stalin also understood the importance of friendly relations with the US President.
G. Truman was puzzled by the fact that I. Stalin did not support his proposal to make the Danube, Rhine and other rivers open international waterways. Truman then told his colleagues: “I don’t understand this man.”3
G. Truman reported to I.V. Stalin at the Potsdam Conference that the United States had created an atomic bomb, which was successfully tested at a test site in New Mexico. Stalin calmly replied, hiding the fact that he already knew about it: “I hope you will use it well against Japan?” In the same month I.V. Kurchatov received an order to speed up work on the creation of atomic weapons.
Overall, the Potsdam Conference was a success, contributing to the end of World War II. At it, the final decision was made on the USSR's entry into the war against Japan 3 months after the victory over Germany and on the transfer of Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands to Russia after the victory over Japan.
End of the war with Japan
In 1945, the American army successfully advanced in all directions of military operations in the Pacific basin, liberating one after another.
other islands Pacific Ocean. The superiority of the US Army and Navy over Japan at sea and in the air was 2-3 times. By the summer of 1945, the Philippines and the Pacific Islands were liberated from the Japanese. British troops liberated Malaya, Hong Kong and adjacent islands. The battles moved closer to Japanese territory. Minister of War General Anami urged the Japanese to fight to the last soldier. The Japanese army continued fierce resistance.
In early August, the Americans carried out a massive bombing of Japanese cities in the hope of enemy surrender. But Emperor Hirohi did not agree to this. Then the US General Staff and President Henry Truman decided to use the atomic bomb against Hiroshima and Nagasaki (Hiroshima was the second military center of Japan, and Nagasaki was a major military seaport). He thought about this for the rest of his life. In August 1945, the final decision to use atomic weapons was dictated by the following conditions. Firstly, G. Truman considered this to be retribution for Japan’s predatory attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, when thousands of sailors, pilots, soldiers and infantry officers were killed, the best ships of the US Pacific Fleet were sunk and many aircraft were destroyed at airfields.
Secondly, the president proceeded from the fact that atomic bombs would save the US Army and Navy from the inevitable huge losses in the event of an amphibious landing on the Japanese islands. These losses could amount to a million killed and several million wounded4.
In addition, the military command reported to the President that the US Navy in 1945 suffered greatly from Japanese kamikaze pilots. Japan trained almost 5 thousand suicide pilots to attack warships. There was no protection from them (anti-aircraft artillery fire did not always help). President Truman believed that two atomic bombs ended the war and saved millions human lives in the USA. At the same time there were opponents this decision and among F. Roosevelt’s employees5.
Japan's defeat was hastened by the entry of the USSR into the war on August 8, 1945, one day after the explosion of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima. On the territory of Manchuria Soviet troops defeated the selected Kwantung Army of Japan.
Japan surrendered on August 14 when Emperor Hirohito admitted defeat in the war. On September 2, 1945, Japan signed an act of surrender on the American warship Missouri in Tokyo Bay with the participation of Soviet military and diplomats. The long-awaited peace has arrived. Millions of Americans celebrated the final victory.
In September 1945, President G. Truman signed the Charter establishing the United Nations (UN) at an international conference in San Francisco.
After the end of the war, President Truman faced many problems and tasks. The most important among them:
1) demobilization of the army and employment of millions of soldiers and officers;
2) conversion of military production;
3) peaceful anti-crisis regulation of the economy;
4) overcoming war inflation.
Part of the US Army, which at the end of the war numbered 12 million troops, was about to be demobilized. A significant part of them were recalled home. They received pensions and benefits, as well as greater employment benefits. The national economy needed qualified labor and specialists. Therefore, hundreds of thousands of demobilized people began to study at universities and institutes for free. After 4-5 years, war veterans became engineers, managers, lawyers, and bankers. After the war, part of the US Army remained in West Germany, Japan, and at military bases in NATO countries.
The US war economy accounted for half of the gross national product, which in 1946 amounted to $215 billion6. With such a significant volume of military production, the need for government regulation was extremely high. G. Truman remained faithful to the doctrine of state regulation of the economy, which developed under F. Roosevelt.
The military industry conversion program provided for the sale of a significant part of state military enterprises. Their value exceeded $30 billion. The sale was carried out at reduced prices. At the same time, the contract system was developed. The conversion led to a decrease in the period 1946-1950. the number of firms supplying the federal government is approximately 3 times. It also caused an increase in unemployment. Thus, the Ford company laid off 50 thousand workers, General Motors - even more. The unemployed had to be employed or provided with unemployment benefits.
In order to combat inflation, G. Truman instructed the administration to continue working on price controls. However, despite all her efforts, prices continued to rise. In November 1946, the President accepted new program to control food prices (sugar, rice, etc.). In the next two years (1947-48), prices increased by 25%, and compared to the pre-war period they rose by 70%7. Yet government price controls in the United States prevented the huge price spikes that occurred in countries after World War II Western Europe. During the US crisis in 1949, prices began to decline.
G. Truman paid a lot of attention financial matters. He personally controlled the regulation of the US government budget. He and financial adviser Snyder, who became Secretary of the Treasury, managed to balance the federal budget and overcome the deficit in 1947
and 1948 This was very important, since the war resulted in a huge budget deficit and, accordingly, public debt.
The president also kept the housing problem in his sights. In the post-war period, the United States experienced a large housing shortage. Hundreds of thousands of demobilized war veterans were homeless, many of them essentially homeless. Truman proposed a program to build 100,000 homes annually, including some subsidized housing.
Beginning of the Cold War
Post-war Europe lay in ruins. Most people in Europe were starving. It was necessary to restore the economy of Western Europe, to comprehend a new policy towards the Soviet Union. The US Ambassador to Moscow A. Harriman wrote to Truman that I. Stalin was violating the agreements reached in Yalta. Strategy I.V. Stalin's plan consisted of abandoning accepted agreements, establishing control in the countries of Eastern Europe, and striving to seize new positions, in particular in Greece, Turkey, Iran and the Far East.
Under these conditions, the Truman Doctrine “On the Containment of Communism” was formulated, set out in the President’s speech to Congress in March 1947. In essence, it was the Truman Doctrine on international relations. The President proceeded from the emerging realities: the rejection of friendship between the USA and the USSR, the beginning of the Cold War, the need to contain the influence and expansion of communism, in particular in Greece, where the USSR supported the rebels, as well as in Turkey and Iran (the agreements provided for the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Iran , but the deadlines were greatly delayed). The Truman Doctrine led to the creation of NATO in 1949 as a military-political alliance of Western countries.
Associated with the Truman Doctrine was the plan of Secretary of State J. Marshall, which was to restore the destroyed economy of England, France and other European countries with the help of American investments. $17 billion of US investments over 5 years (1947-1952) went to restore the economy of Western Europe8.
In 1948, relations between the USA and the USSR fell apart. In early 1948, the commander of the American army in West Germany, General L. Clay, reported to Truman that “The Soviets have cut off West Berlin from sources of supply in West Germany.” Soviet diplomacy gave an opposite interpretation of the events, explaining them by the separate actions of the former allies. On April 1, 1948, I. Stalin ordered the blockade of all roads from the western zones of Germany to West Berlin (railroads, highways and waterways). It was urgently necessary to establish an air bridge to regularly supply the population of West Berlin with food. The Berlin crisis threatened in 1948 to result in an open military conflict between East and West.
In these difficult conditions, G. Truman insisted on the presence of Americans in Berlin and the use of the air bridge to supply West Berlin with food. In total, according to US estimates, 277.8 thousand sorties of American aircraft were made, which transported 2.3 million tons of cargo9. The blockade of Berlin lasted 14 months, until May 1949. In the conditions of the Berlin crisis, the president lost any illusions about the possibility of reaching an agreement with Stalin on peace and friendship between the two countries. G. Truman used all diplomatic opportunities to convey to I. Stalin information about the peaceful intentions of the US government, emphasizing that there could be no winners in a new war (Truman's Memoirs. Vol. 2. P. 215).
In 1948, the time came for G. Truman to make a decision to participate in new presidential elections. His opponent was the Republican T. Dewey, 18 years younger than G. Truman and who considered himself born for the presidency. With the support of the ruling elite in the United States, including Wall Street financiers, T. Dewey confidently campaigned against the Democrats, promising the rich to cut taxes and repeal the Democratic New Deal. G. Truman made gigantic efforts to defeat T. Dewey. Moving from state to state on the F. Magillan, he spoke to voters and argued that the Republicans, as the party of big business, listened to Wall Street, but did not hear the voices of ordinary voters about housing shortages, low incomes and high prices. G. Truman proceeded from the fact that the Democrats, as the party of the people, defend the ideas of equal civil rights and social protection poor layers. He promised to control agricultural prices to help farmers. In the deep provinces, ordinary Americans spoke out in support of Truman at rallies: “Harry, give them (the Republican leaders - V.M.) a hard time!” A ten-minute film about President Harry Truman played in cities across the country and was watched by 65 million people. During the election campaign, the next congressional elections strengthened the position of the Democrats. On November 5, 1948, G. Truman defeated T. Dewey by 2.2 million votes.
Economic policy 1949-1952
G. Truman decided to update the slogans of the new course, calling his program a “Fair Deal.” It was a progressive economic philosophy based on political liberal principles, as Truman emphasized (Memoirs. Vol. 1, pp. 481-483). He wanted to get out of the “shadow” of President F. Roosevelt, and he largely succeeded.
G. Truman considered himself a follower of the great Democratic presidents T. Jefferson, E. Jackson, A. Lincoln, F.D. Roosevelt. For him, their legacy was a pillar in the fight against conservative Republicans. He formulated the idea of the new course as follows: “Every American has the right to expect fair treatment from the government.” Continuing on
Based on the tradition of F. Roosevelt, Truman proposed raising the minimum wage for workers and employees, achieving full employment as much as possible, approved the conclusion of collective agreements between entrepreneurs and trade unions, promised to improve the situation of farmers, reduce the tax burden for the population and continue public works.
The US Democratic Party program contained important provisions for federal and state appropriations for schools and universities, and for the construction of subsidized homes for ordinary Americans. “Give decent housing to every family” was the slogan put forward by the Democrats in 1949. But Republicans in Congress opposed the Democrats in their intention to expand assistance to low-income Americans.
Presidential economic adviser Leon Keyserling was a principled supporter of Truman's New Deal and Keynesian methods of regulating the economy. He sought accelerated economic growth and a balanced budget, proposing to increase public investment to overcome the recession of 1949. Keyserling opposed tax cuts, proposing, on the contrary, to increase them to increase military spending during the Korean War (1950). L. Keyserling’s assessment of the economic competence of President G. Truman is interesting: “He understood economics no less than other presidents I knew [meaning L. Johnson, R. Nixon. - V.M] and more than J. Carter”10.
G. Truman proposed that Congress adopt a package of legislative acts to strengthen social justice and expand civil rights. However, at that time, Republicans in Congress and some Democrats from the southern states were not ready for this. As a result of the efforts of Democrats, Truman's supporters, 10 million people received additional social benefits, pensions and benefits for the elderly were increased, millions of new houses were built, and assistance to children in poor families and the disabled was increased.
In 1949, the first post-war recession began - another cyclical downturn. Fall industrial production amounted to almost 9%. The decline in investment was twice as large. At the end of 1949 and the beginning of 1950, unemployment increased to 7.6% and fell to 5.2% only 2 years later.
G. Truman, while remaining a supporter of economic regulation, had an arsenal of anti-crisis measures (public works, government orders to corporations, financial incentives, etc.). He insisted on using all methods, not considering it possible to postpone social reform projects.
G. Truman had a very cold relationship with FBI Director E. Hoover, who organized surveillance of dissidents. Truman believed that the methods of the secret police were not suitable for the United States, since the country's Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and freedom of speech: everyone has the right to express their opinion. This is what G. Truman thought.
US policy in Asia and the Korean War
During World War II, China remained an ally of the United States. General Chiang Kai-shek fought with Japan and the Chinese Red Army, led by Mao Zedong and his associates. However, every year Chiang Kai-shek's regime, experiencing a severe crisis of power, weakened due to internal corruption and numerous mistakes and miscalculations of politicians and generals. The weakness of Chiang Kai-shek's regime ultimately led to his defeat. The areas liberated by the Communists in northern China were continuously fortified. Autumn 1945 Soviet army transferred into the hands of Mao Zedong a large number of weapons remaining after the defeat and disarmament of the Kwantung Japanese Army. It was used in civil war against Chiang Kai-shek's army. In 1946-47 Negotiations were underway between Chiang Kai-shek and Mao Zedong on the creation of a unified coalition government in China, but due to fundamental differences, no agreements were signed. The Communists sought to control as much of the country as possible, not only in Manchuria, but also in Central China. In addition, the people did not support the government of Chiang Kai-shek. Despite billions of dollars in US aid to Chiang Kai-shek's regime, his army was retreating. In 1948, the Chinese Red Army won a number of decisive victories and captured important areas and centers of China, including Beijing and Shanghai. Continuous retreat led in 1949 to the flight of Chiang Kai-shek and his supporters to the island. Formosa (Taiwan).
In June 1950, the Korean War began. North Korean troops suddenly attacked South Korean territory under the pretext of provocations on the border. Armed with heavy Soviet tanks, artillery and aircraft, they began to successfully advance south and captured Seoul.
Archival materials from US historians show that Kim Il Sung sent 48 secret telegrams to Stalin, seeking agreement to attack South Korea 11. Stalin believed that the United States would not openly side with South Korea. But on June 25, US troops intervened in the hostilities. Several American divisions were urgently transferred from Japan and the Pacific Islands.
Despite the assistance of the Soviet Union with weapons and the participation of Chinese units in hostilities in Korea, South Korean and American troops managed to push the enemy back to the 38th parallel in fierce battles and advance further. On October 19, 1950, MacArthur's army took the capital of North Korea, Pyongyang. That same month, China's intervention in Korea began. China transferred several divisions to North Korea, which began a successful offensive. Pyongyang was surrendered in early December. Winter 1950/51 It turned out to be very cold and difficult for American soldiers, who suffered significant losses. Bloody battles continued throughout 1951. UN troops from England, Australia and other dominions fought on the side of South Korea. In early 1952, UN diplomats made enormous efforts to end the Korean War.
General O. Bradley, as Chief of the General Staff of the US Army, believed that General D. MacArthur made mistakes during the Korean War. He waged a war “in the wrong place and at the wrong time”12’ repeatedly demanded to go to war against China, wanted to bomb military bases on the territory of Manchuria. Truman recalled General MacArthur from Korea in April 1952, removing him from his post as commander for insubordination and abuse of authority. Congress approved this decision. Negotiations began to end the war. They were led by the new commander of American forces in South Korea, General M. Ridgway, and the commander of the North Korean Armed Forces. In July 1952, an agreement was reached on a ceasefire at the 38th parallel. The war lasted two years.
The Korean War confronted the US Army General Staff with the need to reconsider military doctrine and the tasks facing the army. Firstly, it was decided to significantly strengthen the Air Force, since modern warfare bombing the enemy is more important than infantry actions. Allocations were made for aviation from the military budget. President Truman personally reviewed the Secretary of the Treasury's reports on budget expenditures for the Army, Air Force, and Navy. In particular, the President decided and approved by Congress that spending on aviation and the Navy would not be inferior to appropriations for the US ground army. In 1950, it was decided to speed up work on creating a hydrogen bomb.
The military budget and budget deficit caused President Truman a lot of trouble. For 1951, a military budget of $55 billion was finally approved13. The President was in the know on all military-political issues. Even during the period of aggravation of the situation at the front in Korea, Truman strictly monitored the storage of atomic bombs and the arms race. He gave great value the fact that in August 1949 the USSR successfully tested an atomic bomb. The US monopoly on atomic weapons is over. Even earlier, Academician A.D. Sakharov began work on creating a hydrogen bomb.
The last year, 1952, was a difficult period in the life of President G. Truman. The Korean War was very unpopular among Americans. Losses and sacrifices caused frustration and anger. Members of Congress constantly reminded the President that he had taken military action in Korea without their approval.
The Republicans launched a presidential election campaign in 1952, having received consent to nominate General D. Eisenhower, who was elected president in November 1952. Truman transferred power to the new president, leaving for his native Missouri. He was an honorary citizen of Independence. In 1972, Harry S Truman died at the age of 88. For Americans, he is one of the most respected Democratic presidents of the 20th century.
1 Memories by Harry S. Truman. Vol. 1. Year Of Decisions. N.Y. 1955. P. 193.
2 FerrelR. Harry S. Truman. A Life. London, 1994. Pp.10-20, 175-176.
3 Ibid., p. 207.
4 Ibid., p. 213.
5 TugwellR. Off Course. From Truman to Nixon. N.Y., 1971. Pp.181-183.
6 Ferrel R. Op. cit. P. 228.
7 Ibid., p. 230.
8 The President and Council of Economic Advisers. 1984. pp. 51-57, 254-255.
9 Memoirs of Harry S. Truman. Vol. 2. Years of Trial and Hope. Pp.118-119.
10 FerrelR. Op.cit. Pp.258-259.
11 The President and the Council of Economic Advisers. pp. 51, 57.
12 FerrelR. Op.cit. pp. 305, 313.
13 Ibid., p. 335.
After the death of F. Roosevelt on April 12. 1945 The United States was led by the former Vice President, Harry Truman. Roosevelt's departure—decline in the influence of the Democrats (+ fatigue of the population from their 12-year rule, military regulations, government control). Thanks to this, in 1946 the Republicans regained their majority in both houses of Congress. During the war, the position of big capital strengthened, demanding a departure not only from government regulation, but also from many of Roosevelt’s reforms. On the other hand, opponents of extreme individualism have great influence - the slave. movements (the number of trade unions in 1939-1945 increased from 9 to 14.3 million people; + the abolition of the wartime ban on strikes (in 1946 the strike movement covered 4.6 million people) - the apogee of the influence of trade unions in the country).
Sep. 1945 Truman, in his message to Congress, outlined an extensive program of liberal reforms, which later became known as "fair course". It was stated that there was a need to adopt a law on full employment (adopted in February 1946: the head of state’s responsibility for the state of the economy was declared, a Committee of Economic Advisers was created), and an increase in the minimum salary (increased in 1948, i.e. just in time for the elections) , on the introduction of health insurance, on the expansion of the social system. provision (the so-called “Soldier’s Bill of Rights” - a law on benefits for demobilized people, since the army was reduced from 12 to 1.5 million people by 1947), on limiting racial discrimination, as well as on the implementation of a construction program cheap housing (also since 1948). But Truman could not achieve more from the conservative Congress. ÜÛÞ The formation of a “welfare state” in the USA.
The omnipotence of trade unions, the strike movement® serious economics. losses®republican dissatisfaction>passed by Congress in June 1947 despite the president's veto Taft-Hartley law, who contributed it means. changes to the Wagner Labor Law. relationships. Strikes by civil servants, as well as forcing workers to join a trade union, were prohibited and compulsory measures were introduced. fate arbitration in especially dangerous work. conflicts. Workers were required to notify the employer of any strike in the private sector 60 days before it began (+ the president could postpone it for another 80 days).
In March 1947, Truman issued an order to verify the loyalty of government officials. employees. Individuals accused of having links with communists were fired from their jobs and subjected to persecution.
Elections 1948 There is an intense struggle between both reps. and dem. parties, and within each of them. The confrontation between the moderate conservative group (Thomas Dewey) and the group of right-wing Republicans (Robert Taft) ended with Dewey's nomination. The left wing (Henry Wallace) broke away from the Democrats and became independent. Progressive Party. After inclusion in the preselect. platform dem. party demands the repeal of the Taft-Hartley Act, the clause on the protection of civil rights of blacks and the prohibition in 1948 of discrimination against blacks in hiring at the federal. Southern Democrats also nominated their own candidate for civil service (States' Rights Democrats, Strom Thurmond). ÜÛÞ Dem. the party found itself in a state of deep split. But Truman was still re-elected (with a significant advantage), and the Democrats regained their majority in both houses of Congress. Lieber. The Democratic platform, based on the “Fair Deal” program, turned out to be preferable to most voters than the Republican platform. party, which promised to carry out only some modest measures in social services. areas.
In 1949-50, Truman's administration managed to get some legislation passed through Congress. important reforms: the minimum hourly salary was increased from 40 to 75 cents, the circle of persons covered by the social insurance law was expanded, funds were allocated for the construction of apartments for poor families. But the rest of the program is “fair.” course" was rejected by Congress by the votes of the conservative bloc of Republicans and Southern Democrats due to a strong shift to the right and reaction within the gender. life in the USA at the turn of the 40s and 50s. Ü exacerbation of international confrontation (in 1949 - the creation of nuclear weapons in the USSR, the formation of the PRC, NATO and CMEA, the coming of the Communist Party to power in Czechoslovakia, the blockade of West Berlin, the final division of Germany; in July 1950 - the beginning of the Korean War).
External Truman politics A. After WWII, the USA finally became the leaders. country capital world (in 1948 their share in the world industry was 55%)®In a message to Congress in December. 1945 Truman announced his intention to “maintain his role as the leader of all nations” and the need to counteract the “owls. expansion" + bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in September. 1945ÞInevitable conflict with the USSR. If Roosevelt assumed that he would be able to come to an agreement with Stalin, then Truman from March. 1946 (Churchill's speech in Fulton) finally passed to the antis. course.® Truman Doctrine(“containment”, March 12, 1947): assistance to Greece and Turkey in the fight against “com. threat", ch. American task ext. Pol-ki - protection of demos. free institutions peace."
June 1947 – Marshall Plan(US Secretary of State) Econ. European assistance countries (in 1948-52 - $17 billion) - US hegemony, strengthened. the foundations of capital, undermining the influence of the left in these countries. Sep. 1947 – “Rio de Janeiro Pact”/Inter-Memory. mutual security treaty Û US influence in the West. hemispheres.
Since 1948, a 324-day blockade of the West. Berlin - 1st opening confrontation between the USSR and its former allies need to strengthen. military power of the West®4 Apr. 1949 – agreement on the creation NATO for "joint" defense free world" from "com. aggression.”®Comb. armed forces (Eisenhower).
Sep. 1951 – San Francisco Conference: peace conditions. agreement with Japan. troops could remain there indefinitely. term.
April 12, 1945 Vice President Harry Truman urgently summoned to the White House. He was met by Mrs. Roosevelt, who, putting her hand on his shoulder, said: “Harry, the President is dead.” Truman was speechless for a moment, then said, “How can I help you?” What for? Eleanor Roosevelt replied: “How can I help you, Harry? Now all the problems are on your shoulders.”
An hour later, in the presence of administration staff, members of the government and his family, Truman took the oath of office as president of the country. “I, Harry S. Truman,” he said, holding right hand on the Bible, “I solemnly swear to faithfully discharge the duties of President of the United States and will do everything to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States,” and unexpectedly for everyone, he kissed the Bible. The ceremony lasted one minute. America received a new, 33rd president.
Returning home, Truman's first call was to his 92-year-old mother, who told her 60-year-old son, "Harry, try your best, but play by your own rules."
A bespectacled guy with a girl's mouth...
Harry Truman was born on May 8, 1884 in a remote village in a farmer's house, from an early age he looked after cattle and helped his father plow the land. He studied at a public school in the small provincial town of Independence, Missouri, and only at the age of 39 he entered the city university of Kansas, but was forced to leave after a year because he did not have money to pay for his studies.
Lieutenant Harry Truman. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org
Much later, Truman admitted: “I was never popular. The popular guys were the ones who won games and had big, strong fists. I've never been like this. Without my glasses I was blind as a bat, and to tell the truth, I was a bit of a mama's boy. If there was a fight, I always ran away...” Unable to participate in active games, Harry devoted a lot of time to reading the Bible, history books, biographies, and learned to play the piano. “Bespectacled guy with a girly mouth,” he will say one day, “I’ve always been afraid of girls my age and older.”
Your future wife Elizabeth Wallace I first saw Harry in Sunday school when he was five years old and she was four. As Truman recalled, he fell in love at first sight. They graduated from school in the same year, and no matter what Harry did next, his heart was given to Bess.
Having unexpectedly become president, Harry Truman admitted: “I’m too petty for this job.” He often called his residence “White Prison,” emphasized that the job of the president is “a terrible job,” because he is forced to listen to insults “from all sorts of liars and demagogues,” and called on parents “not to raise their children with the desire to become president.” On the 26th day of his presidency, the war in Europe ended. Truman proclaimed May 8, 1945, his 61st birthday, as Victory Day.
Dual relationships
In June 1941, answering a question about his attitude to Germany's attack on the USSR, Truman said: “If we see that Germany is winning, we must help Russia, and if Russia is winning, we must help Germany. We must give them the opportunity to kill each other as much as possible, although under any circumstances I do not want to see Hitler’s victory.”
In the early summer of 1945, the president wrote in his diary: “Every time we are in good relations with the Russians, some idiotic smart guy suddenly attacks them halfway... I'm not afraid of Russia. They have always been our friends, and I see no reason why they should not always be. The only problem is the crazy American communists. We have only one million of them, but they are loyal to Stalin, but not to the US President. I would love to send them to Russia. I'm sure Uncle Joe will immediately send them to Siberia or concentration camp. But I cannot do this and would not do it if I could... There is no socialism in Russia. This is a hotbed of special privileges...”
At that time, Truman was very irritated that Moscow had violated almost all the treaties concluded at Yalta. The first time this irritation spilled out openly was when Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov On the way to a conference in San Francisco, he stopped in Washington and paid a visit to Truman. Truman told the Soviet guest that the United States was ready to fulfill all the agreements concluded, and sharply expressed his bewilderment that the USSR was violating them one after another. The US President spoke especially harshly about Soviet policy in Poland and its attitude towards the UN. The United States will do what is necessary to create the UN, the president said, and if the USSR does not want to do it, then “it can get the hell out.” Molotov was shocked. “Nobody in my life has ever talked to me like that,” he said. “Follow treaties, and they won’t talk to you like that,” Truman countered.
A little later in his diary, Truman would write: “I have no faith in any totalitarian states, be it Russia, Germany, Spain, Argentina, Dago or Japan. They are all based on the false premise that lies are just and that the old, debunked Jesuit formula that the end justifies the means, rights and that it is necessary to maintain the power of government. I do not agree and do not believe that this formula will help humanity achieve its hopes."
"Blood on my hands"
The US President immediately ordered the use of the atomic bomb against Japan by August 10. "I said Secretary of War Stimson, Truman wrote in his diary on July 25, “use the bomb to hit military installations, soldiers and sailors, but not children and women. Even if the Japanese are savages and barbarians, merciless and fanatical, we as leaders of the world cannot drop this terrible bomb on the old capital (Kyoto) or the new one (Tokyo)... We both agreed on this. The goal will be purely military, and we will warn the Japanese and offer to surrender to save lives. I'm sure they won't do it, but we'll give them the opportunity. It is no doubt remarkable that Hitler's or Stalin's men did not develop this atomic bomb. It is the most terrible discovery ever made, but it may be the most useful."
On August 6, an American B-29 aircraft dropped an atomic bomb, nicknamed the Baby, on Hiroshima. Although Hiroshima, the city where the Japanese army was headquartered, and Nagasaki, the center of military and naval industry, were in fact chosen for their strategic importance, the Japanese were still not warned of the attack. Truman's advisers feared that, having received such information, the Japanese would transfer prisoners of war from the armies of the anti-Hitler coalition countries to places of possible atomic strikes. At one point, more than 75 thousand city residents were killed, tens of thousands would soon die from radiation. Never before in human history have there been so many victims from one explosion. The news reached the ship on which the president was returning home from Europe only 12 hours later. Secretary of War Stimson wrote in a telegram: “The big bomb was dropped on Hiroshima at 7:15 p.m. Washington time. Early reports indicate complete success, more impressive than the recent test." Truman exclaimed: “This is the most remarkable event in history!”
Truman's opponents still recall this remark and talk about his insensitivity. Truman's supporters defend him by saying that the bomb was essentially the end of the war for him. This meant that the lives of 250 thousand American soldiers, who, according to the calculations of the American command, would have died during the invasion of Japan, were saved. To this can also be added at least a quarter of a million Japanese who would have died in the event of an Allied military invasion. And, of course, we must not forget about the colossal losses that the Soviet troops would have suffered. On August 8, the USSR declared war on Japan. This happened six days earlier than the date agreed upon in Potsdam with the allies, because the Kremlin, not without reason, believed that the war could end without the USSR and that it would not have the opportunity to take part in disposing of the results of the victory in the East.
However, even after the destruction of Hiroshima and the entry of the USSR into the war, the Japanese authorities did not announce surrender. On August 9, Truman decides to drop another bomb. The initial targets were Kokura and Nogata, but due to bad weather it was decided to send the bomb plane to Nagasaki. At 11 am, a bomb nicknamed Fat Man killed 70 thousand people.
Bomb co-creator Robert Oppenheimer in the fall of 1945, he asked for a meeting with the president and told him that he was in terrible condition and felt blood on his hands. Truman was very angry at the sight of the “whining” scientist. “Blood is on my hands,” he said. “These are all my problems,” and told his assistants that he hoped to never see this man again.
Harry Truman. Photo: www.globallookpress.com
Truman did not run for a third term (although he had such an opportunity). Speaking in Washington in March 1951, he said: “I am not going to be a candidate for re-election. I have served my country for a long time and, I believe, effectively and honestly. I will not accept the new nomination. I don't feel like I should spend another four years in the White House."
Truman called his most important decision as president the decision to participate in repelling the communist attack on South Korea and noted that radical changes in the Soviet Union would be caused by problems in the satellite countries. The Soviet bloc is strong and has large resources, Truman said, but the communists have one thing weak point“In the long term, the strength of our free society, its ideas, will prevail over a system that has no respect for either God or man... The free world is strengthening, becoming more united and attractive to people on both sides of the Iron Curtain. Soviet hopes for easy expansion are dashed. The time will come for changes in the Soviet world. No one can say for sure when and how this will happen: through revolution, conflicts in the satellites, or through changes within the Kremlin. Whether the communist leaders themselves will change the course of their policies or it will happen in another way, I have no doubt that these changes will occur.”
Truman remained harsh in his judgment until the end of his life. So, on one of his trips to New York, when asked how he assessed the award Nobel Prize peace Martin Luther King, Truman responded, “I wouldn’t give it to him,” while declaring that equality is the inalienable right of all Americans. But, the former president added, he personally would not want to be associated with blacks. During a trip to Europe in 1956, he met with Pablo Picasso, which made an unpleasant impression on Truman. After the trip, he received a letter from Roosevelt University, which talked about the possibility of providing financial assistance to the artist. “It seems to me,” Truman replied, “that a university named after Roosevelt should support one of our able artists rather than this French Communist cartoonist.”
At the beginning of December 1972, Truman was forced to go to the hospital, from where he never returned home. His hospital room cost $60 a day, but was paid for by the health insurance program he pushed through Congress as part of the Fair Deal. Health Insurance Card, which was presented to Truman in 1965 at a special ceremony President Lyndon Johnson, had N 1. December 26, 1972 personal Truman's physician Wallace Gram announced the death of the former president at 7:50 a.m. as a result of “failure of internal organs, resulting in collapse of the cardiovascular system.” He was 88 years, 7 months and 18 days old.
US statesman, 33rd US President in 1945-1953, from the Democratic Party. Truman made anti-Sovietism the official US policy in relations with the socialist camp. Author of the concept of containing communism through the Cold War.
Early years
Truman was born on May 8, 1884, in Lamar, the second child of John Anderson Truman and Martha Ellen Truman. He had a brother, John Vivian (1886-1965), and a sister, Mary Jane Truman (1889-1978).
His father worked as a farmer. 10 months after the birth of G. Truman, the family moved to Harronsville. When he was 6 years old, everyone moved to Independence. At the age of 8, G. Truman went to school; his hobbies were music, reading and history. His father went bankrupt at the grain exchange, and G. Truman was unable to go to college and worked at an elevator.
First World War
In 1905, Truman was drafted into the Missouri National Guard and served there until 1911. Before leaving for France, he worked in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. During World War I, he commanded Artillery Battery D, 129th Field Artillery Regiment, 60th Brigade, 35th Infantry Division. During a surprise attack by German troops in the Vosges, the battery began to dissipate; Truman ordered to return to the opposite position. While Truman commanded the battery, not a single soldier was killed.
Policy
After 1914, Truman developed an interest in politics. He welcomed the election of Woodrow Wilson to the presidency.
Jackson County Judge
In 1922, thanks to Kansas City Mayor Tom Pendergast, Truman became a district court judge in eastern Jackson County. Although he was unsuccessful in his re-election bid for district judge in 1924, he was elected as a circuit judge in 1926 and 1930.
US Senator
In 1934, Truman was elected US Senator in Franklin Roosevelt's cabinet. He was a supporter of the New Deal proposed by Roosevelt. In 1940, he chaired an emergency committee to study the federal government's weapons program.
If we see that Germany is winning, then we should help Russia, and if Russia is winning, then we should help Germany, and thus let them kill as many as possible, although I do not want to see Hitler as the winner under any circumstances .
Vice President
In November 1944, Franklin Roosevelt, before the presidential election, settled on Truman's candidacy for vice president. The Democratic Party leadership strongly opposed the re-election of Vice President Henry Wallace. On January 20, 1945, Roosevelt's fourth term began. Truman assumed the powers of vice president, and on April 12, 1945, when Roosevelt died, Truman became president of the United States.
Presidency period
When Truman became President of the United States, he faced difficult situation- the defeat was ending in Europe fascist Germany, and relations with the USSR worsened.
End of World War II
Truman believed that Roosevelt at the Yalta conference made too many concessions to Stalin. There was disagreement over the liberation of Europe and especially Eastern Europe. On July 24, Truman notified Stalin that he had created the atomic bomb, without directly saying so. He hoped that the war with Japan would be over before the USSR declared war on it. In his Potsdam diary, the President wrote: “We have developed the most terrible weapon in the history of mankind... These weapons will be used against Japan... so that military installations, soldiers and sailors will be the targets, not women and children. Even if the Japanese are wild - merciless, cruel and fanatical, then we, as the leaders of the world, for the common good cannot drop this terrible bomb on either the old or the new capital.” In August 1945, Truman initiated the atomic attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. After this, US troops occupied Japan.
Cold War
After the war, relations between the USSR and the USA began to deteriorate. On March 5, 1946, Winston Churchill, who was then in the United States, received an invitation from Westminster College in Fulton to give a lecture on “world affairs.” Churchill stipulated that Truman must accompany him to Fulton and be present at the speech he would give. On March 12, 1947, Truman proclaimed his doctrine, which included assistance to Turkey and Greece in order to save them from “international communism.” This was one of the key events of the beginning of the Cold War.
Marshall Plan
In 1947, the Marshall Plan was developed, which envisaged the restoration of the economies of European countries under certain conditions. The United States provided assistance to those who accepted the program, and those countries in return had to break with the socialist countries and expel the communists from the government. 17 countries participated in the program.
NATO
Truman was a supporter of the creation of the NATO military bloc. He proposed to do this in order to stop the expansion of the Soviet Union in Europe. On April 4, 1949, the United States, Canada, a number of European countries and Turkey signed an agreement to create a new military alliance.
China
On October 1, 1949, Mao Zedong proclaimed the People's Republic of China. The overthrown Chiang Kai-shek fled to the island of Taiwan under the cover of US troops. With their knowledge, Taiwan launched military raids on Chinese cities until a Soviet Air Force group was stationed in the Shanghai area.
Vietnam
In 1945, Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam proclaimed the independent Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) on the liberated territory. However, France began a colonial war against Vietnam. After the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was officially recognized by the USSR and China in 1950, the United States began to provide significant military and economic assistance to France. In 1950, France was allocated $10 million, and in 1951 another $150 million.
Korean War
On June 25, 1950, the North Korean army launched an offensive against South Korea. Almost immediately, the United States intervened in the war, managing to enlist the support of the UN. Having suffered heavy defeats in the first month, American troops later managed to stop the advance of the North Koreans, and in September they launched a successful counter-offensive. The DPRK was saved from complete destruction by China, which sent significant military forces to its aid. After a new series of defeats for UN troops, the front line stabilized, and trench warfare began in Korea.
The Korean War was one of major events in US foreign policy in the first half of the 1950s. Its delay and the futility that became obvious by 1952 had the most negative impact on the political rating of Truman, who did not run in the next presidential election. The victory of the Republican candidate Dwight Eisenhower was largely due to his promises to stop fighting in Korea.
Mainly due to the Korean War, Truman remains in US history as the lowest-rated president while in office.
Domestic policy
Relations with labor unions remained tense during Truman's presidency. In 1948, the famous Taft-Hartley Act was adopted, significantly limiting the right to strike. That same year, Truman makes the first attempts at desegregation, which causes a split in the Democratic Party and the emergence of a group of Dixiecrats. A program to ensure the country's security was adopted; Joseph McCarthy, who believed that communists had infiltrated the government, was influential in the Senate, which led to a significant infringement of civil rights and freedoms and persecution of communists (McCarthyism). In 1948, Truman introduced the Fair Deal program, which included controls on prices, credit, industrial products, exports, wages and rents. However, Congress was controlled by Republicans who were against it. Throughout his term, he stood up to Congress and vetoed anything he thought was wrong.
Assassination attempt
On November 1, 1950, two Puerto Ricans, Griselio Torresola and Oscar Colazzo, attempted to assassinate Truman in his own home. However, they were unable to enter his house - Torresola was killed, and Colazzo was wounded and arrested. The latter was sentenced to death penalty on electric chair, however, at the last moment Truman commuted his execution to life imprisonment.
After the presidency
In 1952, Truman did not run for office in the 1952 election. Dwight Eisenhower became the country's president. In 1957, Truman opened his library in Independence. In 1964, Lyndon Johnson became president and implemented many of Truman's plans.
Truman died at 7:50 a.m. on December 26, 1972, of pneumonia in Kansas City. He was buried in the Truman Library yard. 34 years later, on the same day, another US president, Gerald Ford, died.
Outside the United States, many aspects of Truman's policies (especially foreign) are often criticized, but American historians consider him one of the most outstanding presidents.
In 1995, the film “Truman” was made about him.
Statements
Regarding Churchill’s proposal to help the USSR in the outbreak of war with Germany: “If we see that Germany is winning the war, we should help Russia, if Russia wins, we should help Germany, and let them kill each other as much as possible, although I I don’t want to see Hitler as the winner under any circumstances.” (eng. “If we see that Germany is winning we ought to help Russia and if Russia is winning we ought to help Germany, and that way let them kill as many as possible, although I don't want to see Hitler victorious under any circumstances.") New York Times, 06/24/1941
There was a sign on Harry Truman's desk that read, "The Trick Goes No Further." Truman made this phrase from the everyday life of poker players his motto.
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