Harry S. Truman

Harry S. Truman (1884-1972), President of the United States from 1945 to 1952, came into office on the death of his predecessor, Franklin D. Roosevelt, of which he was Vice President. He had begun his political career in his midwestern home state of Missouri after failed attempts at establishing himself as a businessman. As a senator, he had made a name for himself by investigating mismanagement in the armaments industry. However, he was completely unprepared for the overwhelming tasks that would result from the end of the war - America's relations with the Soviet Union, the transition from a war economy to a peace economy (with the dangers of unemployment and inflation). Long overshadowed by the"giant"Roosevelt, he surprised those who questioned his qualifications for the presidency at this difficult time with the courage and determination with which he confronted the problems he faced. A first - and to this day highly controversial decision - was the order to drop the atomic bombs.

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