Why do we consider Truman one of the greatest presidents?

Question

Why was he so disliked during his presidency, and why do we consider him so great?

Answer 1

Truman was a good president because he stood his ground and held firms to his beliefs. He saw the successful conclusion of World War II in Europe and Japan. He ordered the use of the Atomic Bomb and never apologized for doing so. He pushed ahead with the establishment of the United Nations and NATO. He ordered the Berlin Airlift as a means to thwart Soviet aggression without going into armed combat. He fought a hard campaign against Tom Dewey in 1948 and even though everyone had him pinned to loose, and loose big he keep fighting and ultimately won. He stood against the North Korean invasion of South Korea, using the United Nations while all the time knowing that this was an act of aggression lead by the Soviets and the new communist Chinese regime. Although the Korean penisula remains a war zone in stalemate, the communist expansion was checked. He had the guts to fire the very popular General of the Army, Douglas MacArthur for insubordation in the face of huge popular displeasure. He brought the US out of the World War II and the country didn't fall back into depression or recession as was widely feared. He fought the unions when necessary, like during the train strikes and he fought the big companys too, when he ordered his secretary of commerce to take over the steel industry during the Korean War. Even though the Supreme Court ruled against Truman he did what he thought he had to do for the country.

Harry Truman was not a lawyer, didn't have a college degree, had failed in business but stood tough when the going was very hard. He made decisions that still influence our world today, and did so without hesitation. Yet he was a very learned man, he knew more about the history of the world than any president we have had since. He was principled, honest, tough and plain spoken.

Answer 2

During his few weeks as Vice President, Harry S Truman scarcely saw President Roosevelt, and received no briefing on the development of the atomic bomb or the unfolding difficulties with Soviet Russia. Suddenly these and a host of other wartime problems became Truman's to solve when, on April 12, 1945, he became President. He told reporters, "I felt like the moon, the stars, and all the planets had fallen on me."

Truman made some of the most crucial decisions in history. Soon after V-E Day, the war against Japan had reached its final stage. An urgent plea to Japan to surrender was rejected. Truman, after consultations with his advisers, ordered atomic bombs dropped on cities devoted to war work. Two were Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japanese surrender quickly followed.

He presented to Congress a 21-point program, proposing the expansion of Social Security, a full-employment program, a permanent Fair Employment Practices Act, and public housing and slum clearance. The program, Truman wrote, "symbolizes for me my assumption of the office of President in my own right." It became known as the Fair Deal.

In 1947 as the Soviet Union pressured Turkey and, through guerrillas, threatened to take over Greece, he asked Congress to aid the two countries, enunciating the program that bears his name--the Truman Doctrine. The Marshall Plan, named for his Secretary of State, stimulated spectacular economic recovery in war-torn western Europe.

When the Russians blockaded the western sectors of Berlin in 1948, Truman created a massive airlift to supply Berliners until the Russians backed down. Meanwhile, he was negotiating a military alliance to protect Western nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, established in 1949.

In June 1950, when the Communist government of North Korea attacked South Korea, Truman conferred promptly with his military advisers. There was, he wrote, "complete, almost unspoken acceptance on the part of everyone that whatever had to be done to meet this aggression had to be done. There was no suggestion from anyone that either the United Nations or the United States could back away from it."

A long, discouraging struggle ensued as U.N. forces held a line above the old boundary of South Korea. Truman kept the war a limited one, rather than risk a major conflict with China and perhaps Russia.

Deciding not to run again, he retired to Independence; at age 88, he died December 26, 1972, after a stubborn fight for life.

Answer 3

Truman took an aggressive approach to ending World War II by dropping atomic bombs on Japan. He caused thousands of civilian deaths in Japan, but he broke their will to continue fighting. He probably saved thousands of Allied soldiers that would have been lost if we had invaded Japan. History has judged Truman favorably. We may be in a similar situation today.

Answer 4

i don't know why he's so great but i do know that he dropped bombs on japan killing thousands if people.