Truman

In the early postwar period, Truman had to face many domestic issues as well as the growing tensions in Europe with the nascent Cold War. Time magazine featured Truman as Man of the Year for completing the war effort. On the domestic front, Truman proposed a 21-point program in September 1945 for internal development including tax reform, unemployment compensation, farm insurance, and housing aid. McCullough describes it as a “comprehensive statement of progressive philosophy and a sweeping liberal action” (546). Truman learned that he could not please everybody as the country was facing economic problems like significant inflation and a housing shortage. For example, labor and business leaders sought opposite things.

Truman’s popularity fell significantly. He was also growing dissatisfied with Secretary of State Jimmy Byrnes for acting without presidential authority. In 1947, Truman replaced Byrnes with George Marshall, whom Truman admired. In turn, he replaced Marshall with General Dwight Eisenhower. Overall, Truman was not particularly happy at the White House which he called “the great white sepulcher of ambitions and reputations” (555).

In foreign policy, the relationship with the USSR remained a key concern. McCullough suggests that Truman “did truly wish to get along with the Russians” (564).