Welcome to Part Thirty-Two. It’s time for the president who dropped the first nuclear weapons, the one who fired General MacArthur. Let’s dive into the administration of Harry S. Truman:
Extraordinary inauguration- 12th April 1945
Harry S. Truman was unexpectedly inaugurated on this day. He hadn’t known that he had been picked for this very reason. Franklin D. Roosevelt had been very ill and those closest to him knew that it was only a matter of time. They got rid of his previous VP, Henry A. Wallace, and made way for the loyal and uncontroversial Truman. Truman was finishing up his Senate duties when a messenger told him he needed to get to the White House immediately. When he arrived, Eleanor Roosevelt broke the news. When he asked if she needed anything, Eleanor replied ‘Is there anything we can do for you? For you are the one in trouble now!’ In front of Mrs. Roosevelt, Mrs. Truman, Margaret Truman and many others, Truman was sworn in by Chief Justice Harlan F. Stone in the White House Cabinet Room.
Death of Adolf Hitler- 30th April 1945
Adolf Hitler died on this day. After marrying his longtime paramour Eva Braun and learning that Benito Mussolini had just been killed and that the Soviets were getting ever closer, Hitler shot himself in the head. Thus, one of the most hated men in the world met his end. When the Soviets came upon the site days later, they burned the bodies, leading to conspiracy theories.
Germany surrenders- 8th May 1945
Germany surrendered on this day. Hitler’s suicide, along with Allied advanced and a weakened Germany led to the decision being made. They surrendered a day before, but the Soviet Union didn’t accept it, so they had to do it again. The date is remembered as VE Day (Victory in Europe).
Potsdam Declaration- 26th July 1945
The Potsdam Declaration happened on this day. The United States, United Kingdom and China outlined surrender terms for the Japanese, following the Potsdam Conference. The Japanese ignored it.
Bombing of Hiroshima- 6th August 1945
The bombing of Hiroshima, the first use of nuclear weapons, happened on this day. Truman had been unaware of the Manhattan Project upon his ascension to the presidency, but was soon brought up to speed. In early August, after the Japanese ignored the Potsdam Declaration, Truman approved the use of the weapons. Hiroshima was chosen because it had military importance and its previous lack of bombing meant the effects could be clearly seen. At 08:15, the Enola Gay dropped ‘Little Boy’ on the city. The number of deaths varies by source, with the range about 100-150K.
Bombing of Nagasaki- 9th August 1945
The bombing of Nagasaki, the last use of nuclear weapons in warfare, happened on this day. Nagasaki was the second choice, as Kokura was too cloudy. Like Hiroshima, it was of significant military importance and had not been bombed, it was also a port city. Despite much of the run going wrong, the Bockscar dropped ‘Fat Man’ on the city at 11:02. Between 60 and 80K were killed.
Japan formally surrenders- 2nd September 1945
Japan formally surrendered on this day, the bombings having pushed their hand. Hirohito announced the surrender after Nagasaki, but it didn’t come into existence until this day. The Japanese Foreign Minister Momoru Shigemistu signed it on behalf of his nation on the USS Missouri. The war was over.
The United Nations comes into existence- 24th October 1945
The United Nations came into existence on this day. The organisation had been the brainchild of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill during WW2, and replaced the League of Nations. The UN Charter was signed in June, but didn’t come into force until this day.
Nuremberg Trials begin- 14th November 1945
The Nuremberg Trials began on this day. Twenty-four leading Nazis, including ones whose whereabouts were unknown, were put in front of an international judiciary. Defendants included Herman Göring, Albert Speer and Rudolf Hess, and they all pleaded not guilty. The trial lasted for nearly a year, and sentences included acquittals and the death penalty.
Iron Curtain speech- 5th May 1946
Churchill delivered his famous ‘Iron Curtain’ speech on this day. He was speaking at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, with Truman present. In it, he warned of a divide between Western Europe and communist Eastern Europe-‘ an iron curtain has descended across the Continent.’ This popularised the term, which remains in use.
Truman Doctrine announced- 12th March 1947
The Truman Doctrine was announced on this day. In front of Congress, Truman announced a plan to deliver aid to European countries to prevent them from falling in the communist sphere by force. The first countries in his sights were Greece and Turkey. From the Truman Doctrine, NATO and a worsening relationship with the USSR evolved.
First televised presidential address- 5th October 1947
Truman delivered the first televised presidential address on this day. He requested Americans help starving Europeans by cutting their own consumption and sending food abroad. Only about forty thousand televisions were owned by Americans at this time, but the number jumped to twelve million in 1952.
Signs the Foreign Assistance Act- 3rd April 1948
Truman signed the Foreign Assistance Act on this day. This essentially implemented the Marshall Plan, providing aid to Europe in order to rebuild the continent after the war. It was a diplomatic version of the Truman Doctrine.
US recognises the State of Israel- 14th May 1948
The United States recognised the State of Israel on this day. It had been immediate, as this was the day of Israel’s independence. Truman announced it as thus: ‘THIS GOVERNMENT has been informed that a Jewish state has been proclaimed in Palestine, and recognition has been requested by the provisional government thereof. The United States recognizes the provisional government as the de facto authority of the new State of Israel.’ The United States has remained Israel’s closest ally ever since, though not without controversy.
Signs Executive Order 9981-26th July 1948
Truman signed Executive Order 9981 on this day, officially desegregating the US military. This was a major step in the US Civil Rights Movement.
Wins reelection- 2nd November 1948
Truman won reelection on this day. This was a shock victory, as he had been widely predicted to lose. His opponent was Thomas Dewey, Governor of New York and Republican candidate in 1944. Truman faced challenges from several factions of his own party and was generally unpopular. He nevertheless ran an energetic campaign, whilst Dewey remained lowkey. Both men went to bed expecting that Dewey would win, and would be surprised when Truman quickly gained an insurmountable lead. The expectation that Truman would win was so great that the Chicago Daily Tribune published a headline that said ‘DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN.’ It resulted in the famous photo of a beaming Truman holding the paper aloft. Truman won 28 states, Dewey 16 and Dixiecrat Strom Thurmond four.
Second inauguration- 20th January 1949
Truman was inaugurated for the second time, and off his own back for the first, on this day. He was sworn in Chief Justice Fred M. Vinson on the East Portico of the US Capitol. It was a sunny, windy day with a temperature of 38F/3C at noon. Truman’s inaugural speech clocked in at 2,273 words, and he spoke of a new era: ‘In the coming years, our program for peace and freedom will emphasize four major courses of action.’ Truman also revived the inaugural ball after thirty years without it. The inauguration was the first to be televised.
Signs the North Atlantic Treaty- 4th April 1949
Truman signed the North Atlantic Treaty on this day. This meant the formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Made up of thirty-two members, NATO is a military alliance that relies on collective security. As stated in Article 5, an attack on one NATO member is an attack on all of them, though the only time this has been used thus far is after 9/11. It remains a powerful geopolitical force.
Creation of the People’s Republic of China- 1st October 1949
The People’s Republic of China was created on this day. China would become communist under the infamous Mao Zedong, whilst its previous leadership fled to Taiwan. The nation has become an economic and geopolitical powerhouse, becoming wealthy and populous, with over one billion citizens. Its relationship with America is one of mutual cooperation and enmity.
North Korea invades South Korea- 25th May 1950
North Korea invaded South Korea on this day. This kicked off the Korean War. The invasion was undeclared and sudden, and the North Koreans were assisted by the Soviet Union. The UN sent a multinational force that was almost entirely American to defend South Korea, whilst the Chinese jumped in on North Korea’s side. Whilst an armistice was signed in 1953, the war has never officially ended, and both sides remained locked in a serious conflict.
Minnesota ratifies the 22nd Amendment- 27th February 1951
Minnesota ratified the 22nd Amendment on this day, making it law. This banned any president from serving more than two full terms, whether consecutive or non-consecutive. Presidents like Lyndon B. Johnson, who took over from Kennedy mid-term, are generally exempt. The amendment came from FDR’s four election victories and was an attempt to curb executive power. As Truman was covered by the grandfather clause, he could have run in 1952 had he so desired.
Fires General MacArthur- 11th April 1951
Truman fired General Douglas MacArthur on this day. This was one of the most controversial decisions of his presidency, as MacArthur was extremely popular. MacArthur had been widely critical of Truman and even ignored his commands. Following the publication of anti-Truman comments, the president finally grew tired of MacArthur and relieved him of his command. Americans were horrified and were largely on MacArthur’s side. MacArthur left active military service after nearly fifty years, before dying in 1964. Truman’s popularity dropped so badly that it was clear he couldn’t run in 1952.
Treaty of San Francisco is signed- 8th September 1951
The Treaty of San Francisco was signed on this day. This reestablished ties between Japan and the Allies. It ended the occupation of Japan and provided compensation among other things. America and Japan have enjoyed a generally strong relationship since.
Government seizes steel mills- 8th April 1952
The federal government seized the steel mills on this day. In another one of the most controversial decisions of his presidency, Truman seized steel mills to prevent a strike that would have been devastating to the industry. The owners sued for control and on the 2nd June 1952, Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co v. Sawyer saw the Supreme Court rule that Truman’s actions were unconstitutional. The strike ended in July.
Leaves office- 20th January 1953
Truman handed the keys to the White House over to Dwight D. Eisenhower on this day. He could have run again in 1952, but didn’t due to his record unpopularity. Truman had an active post-presidency, lobbying for a presidential pension (which succeeded), helping to build his presidential library, writing memoirs and supporting Democratic candidates. He had a particularly strong dislike for Richard Nixon, who on one occasion played a song Truman disliked, knowing that he did not care for it. In 1965, Truman and Bess were the first two people to receive Medicare. Harry S. Truman died on the 26th December 1972 of multiple organ failure. He was 88. He is buried at his presidential library in Independence, Missouri. His wife Bess died in 1982 aged ninety-seven, the longest-lived First Lady. Unpopular when he left office, Truman nevertheless is nevertheless generally regarded as a high-placing president by historians and the public alike. Whilst he is often overshadowed by Roosevelt, the consensus is that he was a fine president in his own right. When talking about the best ‘accidental president,’ it’s usually a toss-up between him and Theodore Roosevelt.
That’s it for Harry S. Truman. Tune in next week for Dwight D. Eisenhower, in which we’ll see him deal with Civil Rights, new states and the Red Scare.
