From Obscurity to Fame- President Harry S. Truman

A man of humble beginnings with a Scotch-Irish heritage born in the town of Lamar in Missouri in 1884, Harry S Truman moved several times during his childhood. His parents were Martha Ellen and John Anderson Truman. He had a brother and sister as well. He began his life as a farmer in the town of Independence. He served in the Field Artillery in France during World War I. Upon his return, he married Elizabeth Virginia Wallace. He became the running mate of Franklin D. Roosevelt after serving as a Senator for some years. President Harry S. Truman took charge of the White House on April 12,1945 upon the untimely death of President Roosevelt. Roosevelt had died only 82 days after he took office as the President, having spent little time discussing the war or anything else with Truman. He became the 33rd President of the United States of America. Suddenly, a man whom many knew little about was suddenly in the spotlight.

His Leadership

On April 16th, President Harry S. Truman gave a speech in which he gave the promise that he would continue his predecessor's policies Truman later called this first year of his presidential term a "year of decisions" The first few weeks of his term went well considering that Germany surrendered only weeks later after Hitler's suicide. V-E Day or Victory in Europe Day was declared on May 8,1945, which also happened to be Truman's 61st birthday. Victories had been declared in both Italy and Germany. Then, in the summer of 1945, Truman met with several Soviet and British leaders in Potsdam, Germany to discuss the future. Plans were put together to rebuild Europe and transform it from the ruins it had become during World War II. They also discussed plans to end the war with Japan as well as hopes for the peace that was sure to follow.

Crucial Decisions
In August of 1945, President Harry S. Truman made the decision to drop both "Fat Man" and "Little Boy," on an unsuspecting Japan. His decision to drop these two atomic bombs on August 6th and 9th was based upon the premise that the total number of lives lost would be fewer than the body count should a full-fledged invasion of Japan take place. Japan had been offered the chance for a peaceful surrender but had refused. Therefore, Truman decided to have the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, two Japanese cities that were devoted to work for the war. His hope was a speedy end to the battle, but the result to human life was devastating nonetheless. To this day, his decision is still questioned despite the fact that Japan surrendered immediately thereafter on August 14th. The surrender agreement was formally signed on September 2nd. American troops entered Japan by the end of August.