Truman S Harry

Truman S Harry

Truman was a simple honest man. His impact on world history however was much more than
simple. In his life he would take part in both world wars and serve two terms in office as
president.
Truman was born in Lamar, Missouri, on May 8, 1884. His full name was Harry S.
Truman. The S did not stand for anything but was put there to appease his two relatives who’s
names started with s. He was the eldest of three children with a younger brother Vivian, and a
younger sister Mary Jane. His parents were not rich but his mother, Martha Ellen Young
Truman, always found that money was there for piano lessons or books. Truman moved to
Independence when he was six. He went to the Presbyterian Church and attended Sunday school
(he met his future wife Elizabeth Wallace here). Truman began school at eight years of age. His
two passions, reading and music, helped him gain a strong education and high grades. His large
glasses and vast knowledge also alienated himself from other children. After graduating in 1901,
his future was unclear. His poor eyesight barred him from military service and his families
financial situation would not allow him to go on to college.
Truman worked as a time keeper for thirty five dollars per month at Sante Fe Railroad.
He still read up on histories and encyclopedias when he could find the time. He moved to Kansas
City and worked as a clerk for the Kansas City Star, he then began work at the National Bank of
Commerce and finally the Union National Bank’s book keeper. He returned home in 1906 after
his grandfathers death. The family had inherited a farm in Grandview Missouri and for ten years
Truman worked and became quite a successful farmer. He had his first small taste of politics
when he joined the local democratic party organization, run by Mike Penergast. He was made
Grandview Postmaster. Truman invested some money in Lead mines and then oil fields. He sold
his stocks and enlisted in the United states army in 1917.
Truman trained in Oklahoma, at a military base called Fort Sill. He became a recruiter in
Missouri and the Missouri Second Field Artillery elected him first lieutenant. He sailed for
France in march 30, 1918. He was made captain of Battery D (nick named Dizzy D), tamed their
rowdy ways and lead them to glory in the battles of Saint-Miheal and Argonne. Truman finished
the war a Major and returned home in April of 1919.
Truman married Elizabeth Wallace on June 28, 1919. Truman opened a clothing store for
men with his friend Eddie Jacobson in Kansas City. The store was quite successful and many of
the veterans of the Dizzy D’s were repeat customers. The store lost money when farm prices
dropped in 1920 and finally shut down in the winter of 1922. Truman however paid his debts and
never declared bankruptcy.
Truman looked for help in his old acquaintance Pendergast. He was entered in a four way
democratic primary for a judgeship in eastern Jackson County. One of his opponents was backed
by the kkk. Truman was asked to join, however, he rejected their racial attitudes towards blacks,
and religious hatreds to the Jews and Catholics. Pendergast withdrew the entrance money.
Truman did however run, his war record and previous work and Missouri were the basis of his
campaign. He was successful in the primary and was sworn in on January 1923. This was his
first public office position. His duties as county judge left him with a one million dollar debt and
roads and buildings to be maintained. In his two year term he lowered the debt by 600,000
dollars and helped to improve the roads. In 1926 Truman was made court judge. He quickly
exposed and fired many of Pendergast’s corrupt members and cleaning the corrupt political
machine. He appointed independent commissions to look into roads and buildings, secured low
interest loans, hand picked the architect to rebuild the court house and hired respectable workers.
He received a second term as the county judge. The son of the now late Mike Pendergast, Tom,
asked Truman to run for the senate in 1935.
Truman came to power playing on the popular New Deal. He was sworn in as Junior
senator of Missouri on January 3, 1935. In the Senate, Truman was not trusted for his dealings
with Tom Pendergast. The white house was uncovering the Pendergast political movement for
what it was, Truman was assumed to be just as crooked. He managed to befriend Ganer and
Vandenberg, the two most influential men in the senate at the time. They helped put Truman in
the Appropriations committee and the Interstate commerce committee. He also created the Civil
Aeronautics Board with Senator Austin. He became involved in a subcommittee for the railroad.
He became acting chairman and his views were a major factor in the transportation act of 1940.
Truman was reelected despite the Pendergast investigation and two popular running mates. His
victory was quite unexpected and his fellow senators welcomed him back with a standing
ovation. His second term was dedicated to the Truman Committee. A committee that found
fraud and waste in the defense program. As the head of the committee Truman was put on the
national stage. His committee is estimated to of save 15 billion dollars and only cost 400,000.
Truman was appointed as vice president for his appeal to the public rather than his
political know how. He ran against William O’ Douglas, Alben W. Barkley and James F. Byrnes.
He was successful and on January 20, 1945, he took the oath for vice president. Truman rarely
saw or spoke to FDR. After the Yalta conference Truman had several brief meetings with FDR
but never discussed the plans for peace or for the current crisis. On April 12, 9145 Truman was
president, and FDR had died. On May 8, 1945 he declared V-E Day. Truman discussed his ideas
for a United nations in San Francisco. Truman was present at the Potsdam Conference where it
was agreed that Russia would invade Manchuria and the atomic bomb would be used. Japan
would surrender on the second of September 1945.
Trumans most famous foreign policy would be the Truman Doctrine. This would also
further tensions with Russia and play a major role in the cold war. The main purpose of this
policy was to send money to weaker countries under the threat of spreading communism. Along
with the Marshall Plan, these programs helped to rebuild post war Europe and prevent Stalin
from absorbing the weaker nations. Truman was instrumental in the formation of NATO in
1949. His actions of only freeing south Korea from communist china eventually led to
Macarther’s abrupt firing.
At home Truman continued new deal programs and tried to move the country ahead. He
pushed for better social programs, increasing minimum wages, rent control, old age benefits,
aiding the black community, and a nation health care program. He converted the atomic energy
program from the military and to the civilian atomic energy commission. His Taft-Hartley Act
had a great impact on limiting the powers of workers unions.
Truman retired to Independence Missouri at the end of his second term. He was 67. He
always stayed interested in politics and was a firm democratic supporter. He opened the Harry S.
Truman library, wrote a two volume set of memoirs, and was a recipient for the freedom award.
He passed away in 1972 and was buried on the grounds of the library built in his name.
Bibliography
Ms Encarta 97
Golden Home and highschool encyclopedia volume 18

American History

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