4. Harry S. Truman

Very confident in his own judgement

which led him to act largely as his own chief of staff

WWI Veteran

meant he had great personal and political courage and this dictated his foreign policy

Anti-Communist

his perception impacted upon relations with Russia

Believed federal government had a role to play

which led to his domestic policy of the Fair Deal

Distrust

led to programmes like Truman Doctrine and Marshall aid

Desegregation of armed forces

by 1950 the navy and airforce were completely integrated, may be considered a breakthrough for African American rights

Slum Clearance Bill

introduced effective housing for the poor as well as increasing the minimum wage

Social Security Act

Expanded upon FDR’s SSA by expanding the benefits to those who served in armed forces during WWII.

Operation Manhattan

Dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, signalled the end of the war for America, had the USA emerge as a nuclear superpower, started a nuclear arms race between USSR which led to the start of the Cold War

National Security Act

Created the NSC and CIA which reported solely to the president. Enabled the president to direct foreign policy at the expense of congress. Also created the Department of Defense. Led to congress eventually attempting to reassert its authority under the War Powers Act after Johnson’s disaster in Vietnam.

Truman Doctrine

Stated America would give economic and military aid to any country under communist threat. significant as it commited the US to involvement in European affairs even after the war.

CIA

significant as it laid the basis to covert operations in foreign policy under Eisenhower and Kennedy in Iran and Cuba.

NATO

First ever peacetime military alliance.