Buschistory Presents – The Presidents www.buschistory.net 33rd President of the US 1945-1953 HARRY S. TRUMAN The Election • 1.President: Harry Truman Number 34 Vice president: Alben Barkley (1947-53) • 2. Political Party - Democrat • 3. Term of Office 1945-1953 • 4. Who came before and after him, and what were their Political parties? • Franklin Roosevelt (Democrat) preceded him and Dwight Eisenhower (Republican) followed him • 5. Were there any unusual circumstances surrounding his ascent to the presidency? If so, describe the situation in specific detail. • The death of Franklin Roosevelt in 1945 elevated him to the presidency The Office • 6. Are there any catch phrases or terms specifically associated with this president? If so, list and explain them. “The Buck Stops here” “Give em hell Harry” • 7. When he left office, was it by: choice, defeat, natural death, assassination, or resignation. Explain your answer. • He served two terms and retired in 1953 Domestic Issues and Events • 1945-46 Returning veterans, demobilizing the • • • • • • military, labor issues and farmers wanting higher prices for crops, Baby Boom begins ( through 1964) 1947 – Taft Hartley (passed over Truman’s veto) restricted the activities of Labor Unions, Presidential Succession Act, Fair Deal announced, National Security Act 1948 – Executive Order 9980, 9981 (integration of the Fed gov’t and the armed forces) 1949 – first televised Inauguration 1950- Alger Hiss, Red Scare, McCarthyism, McCarran Security Act (Communists must register) 1951 – Rosenbergs convicted, 22nd Amendment (Term Limits) 1953 – First Hydrogen Bomb Foreign Policy and Events • 1945 – Germany surrenders, Potsdam • • • • • • • Conference, Atomic Bomb, Japan Surrenders, UN Forms, Cold War begins?? 1946 – Nuremberg Trials 1947 –Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan 1948 – Berlin Airlift begins, US recognizes Israel 1949 – Soviet Atomic Bomb, NATO formed, China becomes Communist 1950 – Korean War begins, NSC 68 1951 – Truman fires General MacArthur Hear Truman speak about Asia