Harry S. Truman
By: Katie Dally
Harry S. Truman was an important president because he made some of the most crucial decisions in history. He ordered atomic bombs to be dropped on Japanese cities such as Hiroshima and Nagasaki, eventually causing Japan to surrender. He witnessed the signing of the charter of the United Nations, hopefully established to preserve peace. He presented a 21-point program to Congress, proposing the expansion of Social Security, a full-employment program, a permanent Fair Employment Practices Act, and public housing. As the Soviet Union pressured Turkey and threatened to take over Greece, he asked Congress to aid the two countries. When the Russians cut off the western sectors of Berlin in 1948, Harry created a massive airlift to supply Berliners until the Russians backed down. He was also negotiating a military alliance to protect Western nations, The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, established in 1949. He decided not to run again and retired.
Works Cited
"The White House." Harry S. Truman. United States Government. 21 Nov 2007 <http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/ht33.html>.
"Harry S. Truman." Encarta Reference Library. CD-ROM.2005 ed