What Does it Take to be a Great President?

Manuel Tilgner

David Guo

 

Harry Truman

 

 

 

Where I Live(ed):

Independence, Missouri

About Me:

 

Born and raised in small farming village in Missouri, my humble background could not restrain me. On the contrary, an experienced soldier and small town American, with an undying thirst for knowledge, and a fierce interest in politics I rose towards becoming one of the most contreversial, yet appreciated presidents of the United States. And though initially ill-advised and unprepared to face international crisis, I quickly took up the lead, and guided the United States to victory over Japan, while putting Europe back on its feet. I fought the dark grasps of communism and injustice in Korea, as well as racism, discrimination and poverty at home. And I have raised America from isolationism to active world power, all in two terms of presidency. I may have not been very popular all the time but as I like to say "A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties." (Truman).

 

 

Date of Birth:

May 8, 1884 in Lamar, Missouri

Date of Death:

December 26, 1972 in Independence, Missouri

Sex:

Male

Political Views:

Democrat

 

Religious Views:

Baptist

 

Years Served as President:

1945-1953

Status:

I am married to Elizabeth "Besse" Wallace (1885-1982)

Children:

I have one daughter named Mary Margaret Truman (1924-2008)

Looking for:

Friendship

Occupation:

Farmer, Bank Clerk, Soldier, Senator, and President

 

Interests/Hobbies:

• Reading

• Piano

• Golf 

 

Education:

• I graduated from Independence High School 1901

 

Favorite Books:

My favorite books include Great Man and Famous Women, Arthurian Romances,  Plutarch,

Presidental Biographies, and Grover Cleveland.

 

Favorite Movies:

 The Grapes of Wrath (1940)

 

Favorite Music:

• Elvis Presley
• Frank Sinatra

 

Top Friends:

• Winston Churchill

• Lt. James M. Pendergast

Sports:

• Baseball

• Cow-tipping ;)

 

During my stint as president, the political, social and economic factors and challenges that I had to deal with (at home) included:

 

Political

• Strikes. I passed the Taft-Hartley Bill in 1947, which reduced the power of labor unions. This law was intended to end the strikes that were prominent during that time.

• Secured passage of the housing act of 1949, which provided subsides for low and middle income housing. These and many other acts allows me to portray myself as a people's president.

• Needed to overcome his percieved lack of leadership skills and his tense relations with his staff, and being branded as a one term only president.

 

Social

• Enduring and resolving the American public's confusion and ingnorance about the Korean War 

• The civil rights of blacks. I attempted to end segregation and injustice stemming from a racial base. I Passed many acts such as the Fair Employment Practices Committee to monitor injustice against them.

• Attempted to increase employment rates by passing the 1946 Employment Act, and by establishing the Council of Economic Advisors.

 

Economic

• Soaring inflation induced by war demands 

• Economic affects of the war on post-war America. One of these issues was the transition of the production of military goods to common civilian goods.

• Creation of reforms, called the Fair Deal, which was a government intervention aiming to bring wealth, a higher minimum wage and full employment in order to better the economiy.

 

 

During my stint as president, the political, social and economic factors and challenges that I had to deal with (abroad) included:

 

Political

• The decision of dropping nuclear bombs on the Japanese cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, 1945. Both of which I quickly approved to end the war.

• America's role in the world. I reversed America's policies of isolationism to those of an active parcipating world power, 1947.

• The decision of defending South Korea's independence and democratic gov., effectively joining the Korean War, 1950. 

 

Social

• Instantaneous recognition of Israel as a legitimate State 1948

• Calming the threats and outcries of foreign enemies and civilians

• Persuading the Soviets to retain their communisitc ideals and government out of Asia 

 

Economic

• European economic devestation. Therefore I purposefully created demand for European goods during the Korean War, 1950-1953, to rejuvinate Europe's economy. 

• I also passed the Marshall Plan which provided war-torn European countries with an economic basis of about 13 billion dollars, 5 June 1947 

• Finally the North Atlantic Treaty / NATO in which I promised military assistance to oversee and regulate econimic and political disarray, 4 April 1949 

 

Looking back at my presidential career, I had to wear several "hats."  Wearing these different "hats," these were my most significant achievements and failures:

 

Commander-in-Chief

Strongly determined halt and exterminate the spread of communism around the world, I utilized my power as the commander-in-chief to stage an U.S. intervention in Korea, 1950, to protect the South from Northern agression.  

Chief Executive

Chief executive

As chief executive, I ended segregation in the armed forces in 1948.

Chief Diplomat

As a chief diplomat I attended the Potsdam Conference in July-August 1945, to discuss and establish the area and government of Poland, European economic policy, Germany's "debts" and occupation status, and a clear message to Japan to surrender and accept Allied Peace Terms. 

 

Ceremonial Head of State

As a Ceremonial Head of State I attemded a 1949 Cherry Blossom Ball and gave a speech at Tidal Basin in 1950. These events that I attend occupy my role as ceremonial head of state.

Manager of the Economy

As the Manager of the Economy, I attempted to increase employment rates, control rapid inflation, and create economic reforms, such as the Fair Deal, to benefit the population.

Party Leader

I am a good representative for the Democratic party because I aim to promote the general welfare of the people, presented through the laws passed that benefit the lower levels of society, such as the housing act of 1949.

National Leader

I am the National Leader because I present myself as a character of morality of correct judgment, and a symbol of strength to persevere, even when against unfathomable opposition.

 

Favorite Quote About Me by a Famous Historian:

 "Everybody who gets into serious trouble in the presidency invokes the Truman history and the Truman experience. But there's only one Harry Truman." (Robert Dallek)

 

 

Contact:

I'm also a hardcore gamer, on Call of Duty: Nuclear Combat, play me under my gamertag "Give 'em hell Harry".

 

 

Positive Political Cartoon

 

Negative Political Cartoon

 

Works Cited:

 

Negative Truman Cartoon. (Online Image). Available<http://us.history.wisc.edu/hist102/photos/assets/photos/1107.jpg>. 14 May 2008.

 

Positve Truman Cartoon. (Online Image). Available<http://www.picturehistory.com/images/products/0/2/2/prod_2226.jpg>. 14 May 2008.

 

Harry S. Truman. (Online Image). Available<http://www.medaloffreedom.com/HarryTrumanOvalOffice.jpg>. 14 May 2008.  

 

 "Truman, Harry S." Presidents: A Reference History. Ed. Henry F. Graff. 3^rd ed. Detroit: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2002. 445-460. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Gale. International Academy High School. 14 May      2008 <http://go.galegroup.com/ps/start.do?p=GVRL&u=lom_inac>.

 

 

Truman, Harry S.. "Personal Quote."(http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/h/harry_s_truman.html). 14 May 2008.

 

Hamby, Alonso L. "Truman, Harry."  Groiler Multimedia Encyclopedia.

<http://ap.grolier.com/article?assetid=0295360-0>.