33. HARRY TRUMAN
± 1st pres to take office during a war WW2
± in 1864, 64-yr-old Truman and 70-yr-old Alban Barkley were the oldest P/VP team in history.
± first to appear on TV from coast to coast
± 1st President to attend a night Major League baseball game
± First to attend an all-star game
± 1st to have his inauguration televised
± 1st to have a tv in the white office
o Wife: Elizabeth "Bess" Wallace was once the pres's office assistant. Advised him on speeches and campaign strategy, didn't like being 1st lady, only did what was necessary. Stayed in private quarters of white house, reading and listening to music. Truman introduced Bess as "Boss" and Margaret as "Bosses, Boss."
o VP: Alben W. Barkley, who campaigned in 26 states, delivering 15 speeches a day.
o earnest, incorruptible, confident of his judgment, named one of 10-best dressed senators
o was Baptist
o Give Them Hell Harry, Haberdasher, The Senator from Pendergast
o went to a business college in Kansas City
o opened a haberdashery
o worked for construction company and as a bank clerk
o joined national guard
o participated in veterans groups and civic organizations
o had his Quote engraved on desk
• was a senator for Missouri
• VP for FDR
• Executive Reorganization Act of 1939
• Fair Deal
• representatives from the US, Britain, and the Soviet Union attend Potsdam Conference
• signs Employment Act
• presents congress his 21 point plan
• Truman doctrine
• Housing Act
• Revenue Act- increased corporation and income taxes
• fires General Douglas MacArthur
• beats Thomas Dewey, his presidential opponent
• part of Prendergast Machine, but remained honest
• Berlin Airlift- giving Berlin supplies
• NATO- provide protection against Soviet Union
• proposes national healthcare insurance, promoted Dean Acheson, George Marshall.
• had attempted assassination while living in Blair House
Ø Korean War
Ø during WW2, he commanded an atomic bomb, which hit Japan, which surrendered, ending WW2 in Asia
Ø Germany surrenders, ending WW2 in Europe
Ø Cold War starts
