Harry Truman became President in April of 1945, and led 2 very vibrant terms. Although he was very unpopular and inexperienced, he made a lot of important decisions, which helped America to develop during a difficult period in time. He also solved many national and international crises, and without his leadership, the nation may not have prospered the way it did in the years following his Presidency.Truman was sworn in while there was an Allied attack of Germany and preparations for an invasion of Japan. During the first month of his term, Germany surrendered and he went to Germany for the Potsdam Conference. Upon his return, he received word that the Manhattan Project had been completed, and he ordered the use of the atomic bomb on Japan. Truman’s decisions on foreign policy continued to be very outstanding. Along with his decision to drop the bomb on Japan, which changed the entire world, he also made many governmental decisions. He was faced with the threat of international communism, which he had to combat, and to promote economic recovery programs in countries destroyed by war. Truman also launched many programs, such as the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, the Point Four Programs, and NATO. The Truman Doctrine sent US aid to Greece and Turkey, and also encouraged the American people to support the cold war. The Marshall Plan, also known as the European Recovery Plan, was to rebuild the European market, which would benefit U.S. trade, and to strengthen democratic governments in Western Europe. Under the Marshall Plan, the US spent $13 billion over 4 years. The Point Four provided aid to underdeveloped countries, and by offering scientific and technical aid; it helped to reduce famine, disease, and economic hardship of 35 Asian and African nations. Last, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, established a regional defense alliance to protect each country involved. Beside these programs, Truman also d...
