1. Todd Hearns <br />Gabriel Ashman<br />WORLD WAR 2<br />May,15,2011<br />Harry Truman:<br />A true American Hero<br /> Harry Truman, the iconic president of World War 2 had possibly the largest influence on World War 2 for the American People. The American people needed a hero at this time of struggle. The American War was coming to an end and the Pacific front was losing steam. Harry Truman was vice president for only Eighty- Two days in Franklin Delenor Roosevelt’s third term before The great president passed away. He was immediately thrust into the presidency and had taken on a plethora of very serious responsibilities. While His presidency was a very short span over World War Two, he was a very extreme factor on World War Two. Harry Truman, A Ten year senator from Missouri, made decisions in World War Two that would completely change the landscape of Military, Economy, and Politics. While only having a short presidency during the War, his vice presidency during the war was important and helped FDR win his third term. He made the Crucial decision to continue with the Manhattan Project, and helped the American economy become the strongest economy of the 1950s. While this man did not have much of a term during world war 2. His time during the war and shortly after changed the World immensely for the next fifty years.<br />Harry Truman, a World War One veteran, a ten year United States of America Senator, was chosen as the Vice president for Franklin Delanor Rosevelt in his 3rd term. Henry Wallace was considred for the job, but he was considered too liberal for the seat. The Democratic Party Understood that the man who would be chosen for the Democratic Vice presidency would most likely become the next president of the United States. Franklin Deleanor Roosevelt’s health was deteriorating in the middle on 1944. He had been the president that had propelled the country out of the Great Depression and solidified our involvement in World War Two after Pearl Harbor. One of the most influential presidents in the United States of America’s history and most certainly the most influential president of World War Two would need a successor that would be able to handle the role of being the next president of the United States of America. <br />Harry Truman reportedly said “Boys, if you ever pray, pray for me now. I don't know if you fellas ever had a load of hay fall on you, but when they told me what happened yesterday, I felt like the moon, the stars, and all the planets had fallen on me.” This quote is a strong example for the great responsibility that had been passed onto him. While World War Two was almost at an end, Victory over Europe Day would come on May 8, 1945 and Victory over Japan day would come on August 14th 1945, Truman Still had a intense amount of Work that needed to be done. The Pacific Front was coming down to its last battles. Okinawa would be wrapping up in June 22nd 1945. Even though the United States of America had pushed to the Japanese Mainland, the Japanese army was unwilling to surrender. The United States Army had planned an Operation in which they would attack the Japanese mainland named Operation Olympic. They expected that this operation would be able to take the southern part of Japan but they knew they would face strong opposition. The United States Military had made the Assumption that not only would there be faced by strong military opposition but there would be strong resistance from a fanatic and hostile Japanese population. They expected eight to ten divisions on the island Kyushu. While General Douglas MacAuthur agreed with proceeding with the plan, Admiral Earnest King opposed the operation. It was estimated that a ninety day campaign would consist of 456,000 casualties that would include 109,000 dead or missing in action. Operation Coronet would take another ninety days and that there would be a combined cost of 1,200,000 casualties , with a total of 267,000 fatalities. President Harriet Truman would have to make a choice in this serious time. <br />Harriet Truman’s Decision to unleash the nuclear bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki changed the landscape of the world forever. He was notified of the Manhattan project after Franklin Dealenor Roosevelt’s death. During the Potsdam Conference Truman had been briefed that the Trinity test involving the atomic bomb had been successful. Japan was unwilling to accept the Potsdam Declaration and for this reason President Harry Truman decided to authorize the use of the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. On August 6th 1945 and on August 8th 1945 the Enola Gay dropped the little boy on Hiroshima and the B-29 bomber Bockscar dropped the Fat Man on Nagasaki. The world was changed forever by this choice. Harry Truman argued that this bombing was necessary to save American lives that would have been lost in the mainland invasion of Japan. By dropping the atomic bombs on Japan, it was a swift victory without many United Sates of America casualties. This decision would not only have a serious impact on World War Two immediately but would have a profound effect on the world afterwards. The atomic bomb changed the entire scheme of government and military for the world powers.<br />After World War Two Europe was left in despair just as in World War One. The war had taken its toll on the lives of Europeans just as it had taken its toll on the economy of the European countries. These nations were in debt and suffering as they rebuilt their country. The United States took this opportunity to not only to aid the global economy but also to boost the American economy. Harry Truman used the Marshall Plan to help rebuild the European economy to prevent the spread of communism. The goals of this plan were to rebuild a war-devastated region, remove trade barriers , modernize industry, and make Europe prosperous again. This plan aided Europe and also propelled the American economy of the 1950’s to the top. <br />Harry Truman did not have a very lengthy term in World War two, he was a small contributor as the Vice President of the country under Franklin Deleanor Roosevelt. What he did with his short time in power is the most important aspect of his presidency. His influence at the end of World War Two changed the world forever. His impact after World War Two would change the American economy forever. His dabbling in foreign policy would turn The United States of America into a world power. Harry Truman was one of the most influential players in the War. <br />Works Cited<br />quot;
Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives Art & History - Historical Highlights.quot;
Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives Art & History - Art & History Home. Web. 24 May 2011. <http://artandhistory.house.gov/highlights.aspx?action=view>.<br />quot;
Truman Library - June 14, 1905: Truman Joins Battery B of the Missouri National Guard.quot;
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum. Web. 24 May 2011. <http://www.trumanlibrary.org/anniversaries/nationalguard.htm>.<br />quot;
TRUMAN'S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH.quot;
PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 24 May 2011. http://www.pbs.org/newshour/character/links/truman_speech.html><br />quot;
Truman Library - Desegregation of the Armed Forces Subject Guide.quot;
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum. Web. 24 May 2011. <http://www.trumanlibrary.org/deseg.htm>.<br />