Research Paper of History on

President Harry S. Truman

Submitted To – Dr. Rayees Bhat Submitted By – Rishabh Mallick

Asst. Professor 2nd year, B.A.LLB(Hons)
Sap id - 81012100609
 TABLE OF CONTENT
S.no. Particulars Page no.

1) Introduction 01

2) Truman Doctrine 02

3) The Fair Deal Policy 02 - 03

4) Conclusion 04
Introduction
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953. He was
a man of humble beginnings who rose to become one of the most important leaders of the 20th
century. Truman's life was characterized by his integrity, his strong sense of duty, and his
commitment to doing what he believed was right, even when it was unpopular.
Early Life and Career
Harry Truman was born on May 8, 1884, in Lamar, Missouri. He was the oldest of three
children, and his family was of modest means. Truman's father, John Anderson Truman, was a
farmer and livestock trader, and his mother, Martha Ellen Truman, was a homemaker. Truman
attended local schools and briefly enrolled in college, but left before completing his degree.
In 1905, Truman joined the Missouri National Guard and later served in France during World
War I. After the war, he returned to Missouri and became involved in Democratic politics. He
was elected a county judge in 1922 and served two terms in the U.S. Senate from 1935 to 1945.
Vice Presidency and Presidency
In 1944, Truman was selected as Franklin D. Roosevelt's running mate for the presidential
election. Roosevelt won the election, but died on April 12, 1945, just a few months into his
fourth term. Truman was sworn in as President, facing the enormous challenges of the end of
World War II and the post-war world.
Truman's first major decision as President was to approve the use of atomic bombs on Hiroshima
and Nagasaki in August 1945, which is one of the most controversial decisions in U.S. history.
While some argue that the bombings were necessary to end the war and save lives, others argue
that they were unnecessary and unjustified.
After the war, Truman was faced with the challenge of rebuilding Europe and preventing the
spread of communism. He implemented the Marshall Plan, which provided aid to Western
European countries to help them rebuild after the devastation of World War II. The plan was
named after Secretary of State George Marshall and was a major success in fostering economic
recovery and political stability in Europe.
Truman also supported the creation of the United Nations and the formation of NATO, the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization. He was a strong advocate for civil rights and desegregation, and he
issued an executive order in 1948 banning discrimination in the armed forces.
In 1948, Truman ran for re-election against Republican Thomas Dewey, who was widely
expected to win. Truman conducted a vigorous campaign, traveling thousands of miles and
delivering more than 300 speeches. He won the election in a surprising upset, and his victory has
become one of the most famous political upsets in U.S. history.
1) Truman History, National Archives, https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/education/trivia/biographical-sketch-
harry-truman
2) Miller Center of Public Affairs, University of Virginia. “Harry S. Truman.” Accessed February 14,
2023. https://millercenter.org/president/truman
Truman Doctrine
The Truman Doctrine was a foreign policy doctrine announced by U.S. President Harry S.
Truman in a speech to Congress on March 12, 1947. The doctrine was a response to the growing
threat of Soviet expansionism in the aftermath of World War II and the beginning of the Cold
War.
In his speech, Truman declared that the United States would provide military and economic
assistance to any nation threatened by communism or Soviet aggression. The Truman Doctrine
represented a significant departure from previous U.S. foreign policy, which had largely focused
on isolationism and avoiding involvement in European conflicts.
The Truman Doctrine was motivated by the belief that communism represented a threat to
American security and the democratic way of life. The doctrine was also seen as a way of
countering Soviet influence and expanding American power and influence around the world.
The Truman Doctrine was followed by the implementation of the Marshall Plan, which provided
economic aid to Europe to help rebuild after World War II. The Marshall Plan was seen as a way
of preventing the spread of communism in Europe by fostering economic recovery and stability.
The Truman Doctrine had a significant impact on U.S. foreign policy, shaping American actions
in the Cold War and beyond. The doctrine was used to justify American involvement in conflicts
in Korea and Vietnam, and it set the stage for American interventionism in the Middle East and
other parts of the world.
In summary, the Truman Doctrine was a foreign policy doctrine that represented a significant
shift in U.S. foreign policy in the aftermath of World War II. The doctrine was motivated by the
growing threat of communism and Soviet expansionism, and it set the stage for American
interventionism around the world. The Truman Doctrine remains an important part of American
foreign policy history and has had a lasting impact on U.S. foreign policy to this day.

The Fair Deal

After his re-election, Truman proposed a series of domestic programs that he called the Fair
Deal. The program was designed to extend New Deal policies and provide social welfare
legislation and civil rights protections. The Fair Deal included proposals for national health
insurance, a higher minimum wage, and the creation of public housing. Although many of the
Fair Deal proposals were never enacted into law, they set the stage for the social welfare
programs of the 1960s and beyond.

1) Truman Doctrine, National Archive, Last viewed on 15/02/2023, https://www.archives.gov/milestone-

documents/truman-doctrine
2) Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Truman Doctrine." Encyclopedia Britannica, February 11, 2023.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Truman-Doctrine.
The Fair Deal was a domestic policy agenda announced by U.S. President Harry S. Truman in a
speech to Congress on January 5, 1949. The Fair Deal was an extension of the New Deal policies
of Truman's predecessor, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and it aimed to address many of the social and
economic issues facing the United States in the post-World War II era.
The Fair Deal included a wide range of policy proposals, including measures to promote civil
rights, increase social welfare programs, expand education, and stimulate economic growth. The
policy proposals were designed to address a range of issues, including poverty, unemployment,
and inequality.
Some of the key components of the Fair Deal included proposals to increase the minimum wage,
expand social security benefits, provide public housing, and fund urban renewal projects.
Truman also proposed an ambitious national health insurance program, but the proposal faced
significant opposition from the medical establishment and was never implemented.
Truman's Fair Deal policy also included measures to promote civil rights and combat
discrimination. He called for the end of segregation in the armed forces and proposed anti-
lynching legislation, although these proposals faced significant opposition in Congress.
Overall, the Fair Deal represented a significant expansion of the federal government's role in
promoting social welfare and economic growth. However, many of the proposals faced
significant opposition in Congress and were never fully implemented.
Truman's Fair Deal policy was also significant because it set the stage for the social welfare
policies of the 1960s and beyond. The Fair Deal represented a shift towards a more progressive
and activist role for the federal government in addressing social and economic issues, and it laid
the groundwork for many of the programs and policies of the Great Society era under President
Lyndon B. Johnson.
In summary, the Fair Deal was a domestic policy agenda announced by U.S. President Harry S.
Truman in 1949. The policy proposals aimed to address a range of social and economic issues
facing the United States in the post-World War II era, including poverty, unemployment, and
discrimination. The Fair Deal represented a significant expansion of the federal government's
role in promoting social welfare and economic growth, and it set the stage for the social welfare
policies of the 1960s and beyond.

1) Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Fair Deal." Encyclopedia Britannica, June 13, 2017.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Fair-Deal.
2) "A Fair Deal ." Social Policy: Essential Primary Sources. . Encyclopedia.com. (February 14,
2023). https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences/applied-and-social-sciences-magazines/fair-deal
Legacy and Final Years
After leaving office in 1953, Truman returned to Missouri, where he spent his final years writing
his memoirs and engaging in public speaking. He remained active in politics and public life until
his death in 1972. Truman's legacy is marked by his strong leadership during the end of World
War II, his commitment to social welfare programs, and his advocacy for civil rights. He is
remembered as a key figure in American history for his integrity, his sense of duty, and his
commitment to doing what he

Conclusion
In conclusion, Harry S. Truman was a significant figure in American history, who rose from
humble beginnings to become the 33rd President of the United States. Truman's life was marked
by his integrity, sense of duty, and his commitment to doing what he believed was right, even
when it was unpopular. Truman's presidency was characterized by several important policies and
decisions that shaped American history.
One of Truman's most controversial decisions was his approval of the use of atomic bombs on
Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The decision has been debated and analyzed by historians and scholars
for decades. While some argue that the bombings were necessary to end the war and save lives,
others argue that they were unnecessary and unjustified.
Truman's leadership in the post-war era was crucial in rebuilding Europe and preventing the
spread of communism. His implementation of the Marshall Plan and his support of the United
Nations and NATO were critical in fostering economic recovery and political stability in Europe.
Truman was also a strong advocate for civil rights and desegregation. His executive order in
1948 banning discrimination in the armed forces was a significant step in the fight for civil
rights. Truman's commitment to social welfare programs and civil rights protections set the stage
for the social welfare programs of the 1960s and beyond.
Truman's political career was characterized by his sense of duty to his country and his
commitment to doing what he believed was right. Truman's unexpected victory in the 1948
presidential election is a testament to his political skills and his ability to connect with the
American people.
Truman's legacy as a key figure in American history is marked by his leadership during the end
of World War II, his commitment to social welfare programs, and his advocacy for civil rights.
Truman's life and presidency are an example of the American dream, and his legacy continues to
inspire generations of Americans.
In conclusion, Harry S. Truman was a man of integrity, who rose to become one of the most
important leaders of the 20th century. His presidency was marked by significant policies and
decisions that shaped American history. Truman's commitment to doing what he believed was
right, even when it was unpopular, serves as an example of leadership and moral courage.
Truman's legacy continues to inspire generations of Americans, and his life and presidency will
be remembered for many years to come.