Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the United States, was born in Missouri, near where I grew up, and presided over some incredible times in our history, which he handled very well in retrospect.
Sworn in Suddenly Upon FDR’s Death
“I was sworn in one night, and the next morning I had to dig into the job,” Truman told a biographer. “I was plenty scared, of course, but I didn’t let anybody see it. And I knew I wouldn’t be called on to do anything that I wasn’t capable of doing. That’s another thing you learn from history. People in the past have had much bigger burdens than you’ve ever been asked to assume. “And, somehow, the best of them just went ahead and did what they had to do.
Not So Different From Other Jobs
“That job in the White House—it wasn’t so different from other jobs. And I didn’t let it worry me. I’ve always tried to do my best and to some extent have succeeded in doing the job as well as it was done before me.”
Roots Deep in Missouri Soil
Mr. Truman was born to a farm family. And he never forgot the folks back home. With only a few college classes under his belt, he made up for this with extensive reading. This gave his a historical perspective of democratic principles and of the ideas of basic right and wrong. This allowed him to rise above his modest background.
Grandson of Slave Owners
Mr. Truman was born the grandson of slave owners, the son of a woman whose home had been destroyed and who had been forced to relocate during the Civil War. When Mrs. Truman visited her son in the White House, she threatened to sleep on the floor rather than in the Lincoln bedroom!
Integrated the Armed Forces
But, as president, Harry Truman defied his military and civilian advisers and in 1945 ordered the integration of the Armed Forces. Not only that, but he pushed for civil rights and saw to it that his program was included in the platform of the Democratic Party. His was not a popular decision. No president since Lincoln had tried to do so much for black Americans.
Visitor From Alabama
The story goes that the Democratic National Committeewoman from Alabama came to see him in the White House, seeking assurances that Mr. Truman hadn’t meant what he said in his civil rights message to Congress.
“Well, the first thing I did,” he recalled, “I read her the Bill of Rights. I doubt she’d ever read it, probably hadn’t ever heard of it. Anyway, I read it to her and I said to her, ‘I said what I said because I meant it, and I have no intention of taking back one word. You can go back to Alabama and tell them what I said. The Bill of Rights applies to every person in this country, and don’t you ever forget it.’”
Decision About the Bomb
President Truman did not wish to harm Japanese nationals or culture. But he made the decisions to drop the two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 to help end the war. He was not apologetic. Ever.
President Truman said the US used the bombs “against those who attacked us without warning at Pearl Harbor.” In the president’s estimation, the Japanese got what they deserved. I’m not sure the damage he caused was fair payback, but those were his words. I hope no one, ever, anywhere, uses such a weapon again. And I think all nations should disarm.
Aftermath of the War
His second term began in controversy, when it was felt he would lose to Republican Thomas Dewey. In fact, the photo above shows the Chicago Daily Tribune heralding the Dewey victory. Truman is credited with implementing the Marshall Plan that helped rebuild Western Europe. He also is credited with the founding of NATO. He also is credited with the Truman Doctrine that offered to defend democratic countries from Communist aggression. Many believe this heralded the start of the Cold War.
Retired to Independence, MO
After retiring from public office in 1952, Mr. Truman and his wife, Bess, moved to their home in Independence, MO, where they lived out their lives, often seen on walks around the neighborhood.