HARRY S. TRUMAN

Early Years  Harry Truman was born in Lamar Missouri in 1884 and grew up in the nearby American sounding town of Independence until the age of 12. His early years were spent farming.

WAR AND WIFE As a young man Harry fought in WWI along the trenches in France as a captain of field artillery. When he returned home he married Elizabeth Wallace and moved to Kansas City.

Early Politics  Harry became very active in the Democratic Party and was elected to his first position as a judge in the Jackson County Court in 1922 at the age of 38.

The Road to the White House  In 1934 he became a united states Senator and later achieved fame by heading the Senate War investigation committee during the start of WWII.  This earned him a spot as FDR’s VP.

Greatness Thrust Upon Him  Being a VP for only a few weeks he suddenly found himself President in the throes of a World War.President  One of his first major decisions was to drop the first atomic bombs ever. SoundSound

While President  Truman saw the end of WWII. SoundSound  Truman helped to establish the United Nations.  Created social reforms known as the “Fair Deal.”  Established the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan.  Solved the Berlin Crisis.  Helped form NATO  Entered the U.S. into “War” in Korea.  Won Re-election after controversy.  Considered a Father of the Cold War with The Soviet Union.

Ever After  Truman decided not to run for another term and retired to his old home town of Independence.  Truman died the day after Christmas 1972 at the age of 88.