900+ Words Article on Harry Truman
Early Life
Harry S. Truman was born on May 8,
1884, in Lamar, Missouri, to the family of John Anderson Truman, who was a
middle-class farmer and livestock dealer. Harry was first of the three children
and preceded his brother, John Vivian, and sister, Mary Jane. Harry did not
stay in Lamar for long, as the family moved to a nearby farm in Harrisonville,
Missouri, when Harry was 10 months old.
The early life of Harry appears to
be dull and uninspired. Being , he did not undergo traditional schooling until
he was eight. After spending his early childhood in various locations, Harry
had to move to Independence along with his family, in 1890, for the sake of his
education.
By the time Harry reached the age of
15, he had developed a strong affection with books and music. He fell in love
with music to such an extent, that he would wake up at five in the morning to practice
piano. This deep love of history and music was instilled in Harry by his
mother, Martha Ellen Truman, who was much adored by his son.
While living in Independence, Harry
attended the local public school and got his graduation from Independence High
School, in 1901. After graduating from high school, Harry attended the business
college for a year, but due to the lack of fund he decided to move to the
Kansas City to obtain employment, in an effort to support his family. Harry
also considered joining the U.S. Military Academy but was rejected due to poor eyesight. By 1905, he had worked on several jobs that included, timekeeping,
bookkeeping and clerical jobs. In 1906, he was called back by his father and he
reluctantly returned to his grand-parents farm in Grandview, and spent his time
working at fields till 1917.
During this period, in 1910, he fell
in love with a girl named Bess Wallace, who resided in Kansas City and was
Harry’s former classmate. Whenever Truman went to Kansas for farming business,
together they both would attend theatre and road shows. In 1911, Truman finally
proposed Wallace, but she turned the proposal down. By 1914, he had purchased a
used Stafford vehicle as he used to travel a lot. But soon he realized that the
roads in Missouri were way too poor and would often bring about significant
repair expenses for the auto.
Military Career
Truman’s military career begun with
the outbreak of World War I in 1914. Though he was eligible for overage
exemption, still he volunteered for enlistment in U.S. army, in 1917. He was
then called into service in 129th Field Artillery, an army unit which was to be
deployed in France. In 1918, while being in France, he was promoted to the rank
of captain due to his successful combats. As Capitan, He was assigned the most
chaotic and undisciplined Battery of the Artillery. Unexpectedly, despite of
his shy nature and mild temperament, he managed to restore the order of the
battery and led it very well. Truman’s actions and leadership skills were
credited several times for successful combats in heavy fighting. Upon the
conclusion of war he was presented with a large-sized loving cup of
appreciation. Truman was awarded a World War I Victory Medal with two battle
clasps (for St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne) and a Defensive Sector Clasp. He was
also the recipient of two Armed Forces Reserve Medals. (Harry S.
Truman Presidential Library & Museum)
On his return to Missouri, Harry had
been promoted to the rank of major, and thus the World War turned out to be
game changer for him. It enhanced his leadership qualities and brought him a
lot of experience that greatly supported him in his political career. By 1918,
Harry had tied the knot of marriage with Bess Wallace, and without any delay he
moved into Wallace’s house in Independence, Missouri.
Political Career
Truman’s Political career began in
1924, after a failed attempt to run a tailoring business which led him to a
loss of $20,000. He refused to file bankruptcy and returned the loan to the
creditors over a course of 15 years. In 1924, Truman ran the election for
judgeship and lost it to Henry Rummeil. Then in 1926, he was elected to serve
as County Judge for eastern Jackson County, Missouri. This was his first
political position, and from there he was elected Presiding Judge of Jackson
County in 1926 where he presided until 1934. During his term, he had a major
role in developing the modern road system. As he recalls afterwards: "The most distressing thing in the county
at the time was its road system”.(Harry S. Truman (6-2-5 Upheaval))
After he completed his second term
as judge, he was elected in U.S. Senate in 1934 with very strong backing up
from the Boss of Democracy, Thomas Prendergast, whose nephew served with Truman
during war. After assuming the office, he had a chance to work closely with
President Franklin Delano. Truman’s loyalty with the president, Roosevelt
selected as his Vice president, and this enabled him to get elected in 1944
Elections.
After assuming office for just
eighty-two days as Vice-president, Truman became the President, due to the
sudden death of President Roosevelt on April 12th, 1945.
As president, Truman took over in an
extremely difficult situation, right after a renowned president passed away,
with no prior knowledge in foreign policy. By all measures, he proved himself
as an excellent decision maker, by announcing the surrender of the Germans and
authorization of dropping two atomic bombs on Japan during mid-1945. His prompt
decision makings compelled Japan to surrender, thus ending the World War II and
saving thousands of lives in America.
Under his Presidency, U.S. played an
important international role; assisting United Nations to establish in its
early days and through introducing Marshall Plan & Truman Doctrine U.S
helped Japan & Europe to redevelop after dropping of atomic bombs in
Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The period of peace was
unfortunately short-lived; it ended in June 1950, with the outbreak of Korean
War and this brought about difficulties for Harry S., both on International
Level and home-ground.
Although he was eligible for third
term, he decided not to run for the Elections. Truman's administration ended on
January 20, 1953. After attending Eisenhower's inauguration, he left Washington
by train and headed back to his hometown, Independence, Missouri. Even after
his retirement from the White House, Harry Truman would continue to be
recognized for his contributions to postwar stability. He died on December 26,
1972, at the age of 88. (Biograhies: Harry Truman)
Historians regard him as an
excellent decision maker and a decent president, who helped lift Great
Depression from the nation. He ended the World War II, helped the U.S. Economy
to recover, Established UN and entered United States into UN, helped prevent
war in China, helped rebuild and redevelop Japan after World War II. He left
the office without using it to enrich himself.
On the Negative aspect, he was the
one to recognize Israel which led to large-scale violence in the region. He was
the one to create CIA and support France in occupying Vietnam.
He was an exceptional personality
and a significant figure in the history of U.S, because he had the ability to
make the best out of the worst circumstances.
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