Harry S. Truman's Role In Politics

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Harry S. Truman was born in Lamar, Mississippi on May 8th, 1884. Truman grew up on his grandmother’s farm with his family. Truman had poor eyesight, and his vision kept him from participating in sports. However, Truman developed a love of books. In 1901 Truman attended Spalding’s Commercial College to learn bookkeeping. Truman quit attending after a year. Truman applied for West Point, but was rejected because of his poor vision. Truman instead worked a timekeeper for the railroad, wrapped newspapers, and was a bank teller. In 1911 Truman proposed to Elizabeth Wallace, but she said no. Truman’s father passed way in 1914 and Truman took the responsibility of running the farm. When Truman was 33 years old he enrolled in the military during World War I. Truman memorized the eye exam to be accepted despite his poor vision. Truman was deployed overseas and was promoted to Captain of the Battery D. After returning from World Ward I, Truman married Elizabeth Wallace in 1919. They had one daughter named Mary Margaret Truman who was born on February 17th, 1924. After the war Truman opened a men’s clothing store, but it was not successful because of the recession. Truman then decided to become involved in politics. Truman was …show more content…
Truman had many major events during his time in office, but the Truman Doctrine in 1947 helped reshape the United States Foreign Policy. The Truman Doctrine began as a speech that Truman gave to Congress on March 12th, 1947. Truman asked for congress to aid Greece and Turkey with their Civil Wars against communism. Truman told congress the United States had a responsibility to help other Democratic Countries. Truman’s speech would later be known as the Truman Doctrine. The doctrine calls for the United States to provide political, military, and economic assistance to other democratic countries who were threatened authoritarian forces. The Truman Doctrine allowed for the United States to become involved in conflicts that took place far