Why Is Harry Truman A Good President

Shanna Sauve
History 1302-Y005
President Harry S. Truman Continuing throughout history we observe, assess, and live through the laws and changes made by every distinct president. Unlike dictatorships we the people, are able to choose the individual indoctrinated into office. Every president is not always appreciated by everyone, but the country tries to make do with what we have and who as a consensus we are. Among the forty-five presidents the United States has had in office, the focus is shined upon Harry S. Truman the thirty-third president. Like most individuals at this time, Harry came from a humble background to which his mother and father were farmers and mule traders. Harry never went to college, he worked numerous jobs, then returning
During this time, he conducted a specific committee to oversee the National Defense Program. Ultimately, this committee was renamed the Truman Committee and it sought the success of consumer handlers to deliver their goods at fair pricing. Under the current president at the time Franklin Roosevelt, Truman became his vice president in 1945. After approximately eighty days as vice president, President Roosevelt died unexpectedly and Truman was sworn into presidency as the thirty-third president. “Truman later called his first year as President a “year of decisions.” (Graham 2017, p7) Having no prior experience, Harry was thrown into the role of commander in chief. Within the first couple of months of his presidency, Truman announced Germans’ surrender, dropped an atomic bomb ending World War II, and sanctioned the United Nations. (Palmieri 2012) With the end of World War II being a great accomplishment, the Soviets wanted to bring back their pre-Hitler governments, thus beginning the Cold War. The next presidential election was a close fifty-fifty call with Thomas Dewey. After Truman’s reelection, he announces a domestic policy “Fair Deal” applying Roosevelt’s “New Deal”. The program ideals
Truman’s preservation and elimination tactics were challenging and led to a lessened approval rate. Among all the foreign issues, the home environment was having labor issues and disputes. Steel workers were striking, and there was strife between mills and the Steel Workers of America. (Palmieri 2012) Harry thought it wise to take the mills in favor of government, but the courts ruled in favor of the union, putting more strain on his presidency. The mills were forcibly given back to their owners. By the next reelection phase, Harry gave favor to the next democratic runner as he no longer wanted to stay in presidency. Mr. Truman continued the rest of his life writing memoirs and sharing his works with scholars. He passed on December 26, 1972, and was buried next to his wife in the courtyard of the Truman Library. (Palmieri 2012 p.23) Harry S. Truman was one of few presidents that seemed to stay as honest and humble as possible. He made many advancements as well as mistakes, such as any individual. Ultimately, Harry did more positive than negative towards the country and we continue to grow from some of his examples. As long as we the people can learn and grow from our past mistakes and growth measures, the country can go nowhere but