The only president who did not have a college degree after 1897 was Harry S. Truman. Although he did not went to college, but it did not stop him from ranking in the top ten on the chart of most successful president of all time. Each President has its only legacy and Harry S. Truman is no exception. Truman served in the National Guard and the army for fifteen years. He fought in World War One as a field artillery offers working alone with the French. His outstanding works in the army gives him great politico ground, which helped him to became a U.S. Senator and then the running mate of FDR in the 1944 presidential election. After the death of FDR, Truman becomes the 33rd president of the United States. During his eight years as president, Truman accomplished many things that we can still see the affects today. Truman put an end on the war with Japan with two atomic bombs, and established two world organizations that still exist today. After World War Two he used his power as the president to rebuild Europe, unites nations under the United Nation, and stopped the expansion of communism in Europe. Through the works Truman did as president, it is clear that he holds a heart of a patriot by join the army, he also took bold actions like dropping of the atomic bomb, and unite the world through the United Nation and NATO, many of his legacy still has an effect on the world today.

Harry Truman always had a strong military career interest, this eventually lead him to serve in the Missouri National Guard and later in World War One. When Harry Truman was still in high school he dreamed of going to West Point or Annapolis after graduation, but his poor eyesight and lack of money prevented him to pursue his childhood dream. (American i)Eventually at the age of twenty-one, Truman was enlisted in the Missouri National Guard by cheating on the eye exam. This was common at the time, especially during wartime many patriotic men get in the military by memorizing the entire eye chart. (Military i) During his first six years of service, he was send to Camp Doniphan in Oklahoma for training, there he was chosen to an officer due to he’s outstanding works and participation in the training. After his first six years of service, he went back to his farm and started his own business.

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At the age of 33 Truman had perhaps made one of the most important decisions in his life, he reenlisted in the National Guard of Missouri. The decision did not come easy, he had to quit his newly opened business, leave his farm and postpone his marriage. Although farmers did not have to serve, Truman felt it is necessary to help his country in time of war. Truman was send to France as the commander of Battery D in the 35th Infantry Division. (Military i) During one of the battle against Germany, the German Army suddenly attacked his division. Truman used tactic he had learned in the military to pull everyone into safety. His unit did not lose a single man during the attack. Harry Truman’s patriotism led him to join the military, when his country is in need he put himself on the front line, his skill helped saved the life of his unit and the story lives on even to today.

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Harry Truman became the Vice President of the United States near the end of World War Two, FDR is the President at the time but his has major health problems. At the time the U.S. is developing the atomic bombs, called the “Manhattan Project”. Because FDR did not like Truman very much, this top secret was kept away from Truman instill the death of FDR on April 12, 1945. Now as the President of the United States, Truman possess the most powerful weapon in the world. After consulting with many of his advisers, President Truman decided to drop the bomb on Japan. Although his primary reason for dropping the bomb is to end the war with Japan quickly and avoid a mainland invitation that would ultimately cost many American lives. (Birth) President Truman ordered to drop two atomic bombs named “Little Boy” and “Fat Boy” on August 6th and the 9th of 1945. Truman clearly stated that this is an attack on the military and they need to avoid damages to the general population as much as possible. Truman said that “There is at least one defense against the atomic bomb. That defense lies in our mastering this science of human relationships all over the world. It is the defense of tolerance and of understanding, of intelligence and thoughtfulness.” this farther demonstrated his view on the use of the bomb is for military attack. The two atomic bombs killed nearly 200,000 people in Japan. Even years after the atomic bomb, there are babies born with deforms that are a direct result of the radiation that is left by the atomic bomb. The two atomic bombs let the world see how devastating and powerful the atomic bomb is. This informs the world and President Truman that laws and regulation is needed to prevent any full-scale nuclear war from ever happening. Today the world promotes the use of nuclear technologies for non-military use. (Jacoby) The World Nuclear Association and the United Nation regulates countries that have nuclear powers, including power plants or nuclear weapon. For countries like North Korea, the United State strongly opposes the idea of them become a nuclear powered country. North Korea would be a threat to the world if they have a nuclear weapon.

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After the end of World War II the League of Nations has failed to prevent the war for from happening, Truman created the United Nations to replace League of Nations and to preserving world peace. In the beginning of the war, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was determined that a U.S. leadership was the bottom-line for creating another international organization that aims at preserving world peace. President Truman eventually achieved this goal after many years of planning. On August 8, 1945, the United States along with twenty other countries signed the United Nations Charter. The Charter is a constituent treaty, and it states that countries who signed this charter must consults with this treaty before any other treaty obligations. (Weiss, 36) This put the UN charter in the first place, this helps to unite the countries better and give the UN more power than other treaty between countries. Another important aspect of the UN is its universal declaration of human rights, is was adopted on December 10, 1948 at Palais de chaillot, Paris. Those thirty articles document gives the people fundamental freedoms and rights. Article I is the most famous of all it states “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”, also the declaration addresses slavery and said it should not be allow in any from. Since the creation of United Nations, it has devoted itself in peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance. Throughout the would, UN sets up refuge camps and distribute food in nature disasters. As to today the United Nations is the most successful world peacekeeping organization.

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President Harry Truman himself proposed the Truman Doctrine in 1947; it is the United State’s first attempt to stop the spread of Communism in Europe after World War Two. When the British government said that it could no longer support Greece government fight its civil war against the Greek Communist Party. President Truman step up and went to Congress on March 12, asking for a 400 million droller aid to both Greece and Turkey alone with military and economic support to the region. Truman said “Our allies are the millions who hunger and thirst after righteousness” in his speech to Congress. One reason Truman give to the Congress is that if Greek and Turkey falls for communism, it would endanger country like Iran and India. Fearing the spread of Communism in Eastern Europe and a stronger Soviet Union, Congress passed the bill. United State became the only country that is willing to help Greece and Turkey. (With) The economic and military support help Greece national army won the war thus overcome the danger of becoming a communist country. Although the country was left in ruin after the war, it stays as a parliamentary republic. Because of this agreement Greece, Turkey, and other European country did not fall into the hand of communism. This bond established with countries in European still can be seen in today’s foreign policies. Thanks to the Truman Doctrine the bond grow stronger and later help founded the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

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After World War Two much of Europe was in ruin, the Marshall Plan, one of the keystone of U.S. foreign policy, was signed by President Harry Truman on April 3rd 1948 helped European to recover. Marshall Plan is also known as the European Recovery Program, first proposed by Secretary of State George C. Marshall, it changed the face of Europe after the war. Congress overwhelmingly passed the massive thirteen billion dollar bill, without the 13 billion dollar in aid to lay the groundwork and foundation for Europe; Europe would not have been what we see today. The money was used to distribute food, medical supply and other necessities. The program also helped American factories to export their goods and open a new market in Europe. (Wall, 167) The money did more than just an economy boost and rebuild of Europe, it also helped in bring political stability that ensured post war peace. Without a stable economy and the wellbeing of the people, it is hard for any country after WWII to hold a staidly ground. The Marshall Plan also help united Europe, it contributed to the founding to the European Union and NATO, Now Europe is much stronger and act together to protect themselves. Truman’s decision to pass this important plan is part of why the United States has such a good relationship with Europe today.

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The establishment of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) helped make a stronger bond and a healthy relation between the United States and the rest of Eastern Europe, it also fight off the expansion of communism throughout Europe. After the U.S.S.R. formed, its communist influence quickly spread in both Europe and Asia. Containment was formed and tries to block communism form growing. On April 4, 1949, the U.S. and twelve other democratic European nations signed the treaty in Washington, DC. This peacetime military alliance agrees to deafen each other incase being attacked by a country such as the Soviet Union. NATO is made up of two different branches, the civilian branch and a military branch. NATO helps put country in Europe and the United State on the same level in terms of military power as the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union did not want a war with countries in Europe, because it would drug the nuclear powerhouse, the United States, in to war. During Truman’s presidency, NATO also participated in the Korean War; they help to fight the communism country North Korean from tacking over South Korean. Today the NATO had grown to twenty-eight independent member countries. Many works of the NATO can be seen today even though the U.S.S.R. had dissolved. NATO’s main goal now is peacekeeping within those nations and to fight international terrorism, they help bring stability to Afghanistan, Iraq and Darfur. Truman founded NATO to help save democratic countries from communism, but it still has a lasting effect in peacekeeping today.

During Harry S. Truman’s life, he made many significant decisions that changed the world and the people around him. During World War One, Truman joined the military so the could help his country is this special time, he used the skills he learn to safely evacuated his division from enemy fire. Once becoming the President of the United States near the end of the World War Two, Truman dropped tow atomic bombs on Japan to end the war on the Pacific and saved the lives of many American soldiers. After the war is over, Truman saw the need to keep world peace and established the United Nation. Truman also given support to European countries to rebuild after the war by signed the Marshal Plan, money rushed to Europe and even helped to build a better relationship with the United States. The Truman Doctrine gives military and economic support to Greece and Turkey, this helped them to won the fight against communism. Truman also established the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to protect Western Europe from the emerging communistic country U.S.S.R. Throughout the eight years that Truman was the President, his accomplishment demonstrated that he is a patriotic person, someone who took bold actions and unite the world at the same time. As one of greatest President of all times, Truman’s accomplishments and legacies will live on and to be heard for many generations to come.

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