1. Harry S. Truman 33 rd President 1945-1953

2. Basics Born May 8, 1884 Died December 26, 1972 Party Affiliation: Democrat Wife: Bess Wallace Truman Children: Margaret Home State: Missouri

3. Challenges Little known successor to a legendary President Confronted with the tasks of: Concluding the war Shaping Europe’s future Completing final preparations for a struggle to defeat Japan Satisfying a restless group of people who are tired of war

4. Popularity Reelected in 1948 in the most stunning upset in Presidential history Chose not to run in 1952 Left office with only 31% of the public supporting him Not until the 1970’s did his reputation improve

5. Legacy The Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, and NATO largely restored Western European stability Truman left the US safer, more secure, and far more prosperous than he inherited it. The Times Rank him in the Top 10 at #7. Among US polls, Truman ranks anywhere from 7 th to 9 th (in 1962)