The powers of the president that Truman utilized.

Essay by dirk_nowitzki101High School, 12th grade February 2007

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Harry S. Truman, a Democrat, was the 33rd president of the United States between 1945 and 1953. As Vice President, Truman succeeded Franklin D. Roosevelt after the president's death. Remembered for his use of inherent powers during World War II, the Korean War and the Cold War, Truman was a major advocate of helping disadvantaged foreign nations, even when some countries questioned his ulterior motives and Congress disagreed with his reasoning. He once said "I make foreign policy," (William E. Shapiro, 355) which was meant to mean that America is such a powerful country other countries usually follow suit when American policy is finalized, and incidentally that it was part of his job as chief diplomat. More reinforcement to that right-of-passage was his powers as commander the chief; control over America's military and the people who are affiliated. Commander in chief status is greatest during times of war and the Truman presidency was chock-full of war and similar struggles.

The Truman Doctrine, The Marshall Plan, and the Point Four plan were put to action due to in large part to the President's common use of his inherent powers, and his powers as chief diplomat, chief executive and chief legislator. Truman also made attempts to make civil rights effective. His dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki (actions which ended World War II) are probably the most controversial and questioned actions when it comes to the president's inherent powers. ("Truman, Harry S." 718)

In 1945 Truman met with Joseph Stalin, the communist leader of the Soviet Union, and Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister of Britain, to discuss the future of Europe. This meeting was called the Potsdam Conference and is categorized as part of a president's job as chief diplomat, chief executive and chief legislator. The Potsdam...