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the war effort. He was later chosen by the Democratic Party as its candidate for Vice President when Franklin Delano Roosevelt was seeking his fourth term as President in that election. Both Roosevelt and Truman were elected.

When Roosevelt died, Truman became President. He was faced with a tremendous responsibility at a time when the country was engaged in war. People were under the impression that he was not equal to the task, but he proved them wrong. Less than a month after he took office the German forces surrendered in Europe (May 8, l945). But the war with Japan was still raging. He was confronted with a decision that might affect the future of the whole world. He authorized the dropping of the first atomic bomb on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, causing Japan to surrender and bringing about the end of World War II.

After the surrender of Japan, Truman was confronted with yet another problem. In Europe, the Communists of Russia (who were friendly as long as the war was in progress) suddenly turned unfriendly toward the United States, siezing control of several small countries of Eastern Europe, while threatening other countries, such as Turkey and Greece. At this time, Truman began extending aid to Greece and Turkey. The aid resulted in the enactment of the Truman Docrine. At the same time, Truman began facing problems at home after he vetoed the Taft-Hartley Labor Act. The head of the Railroad unions branded him as an enemy of labor, threatening to abandon him in the next election. Then came the Korean war. South Korea was invaded by North Korea.

In March, l952, Truman announced that he would not be a candidate for the Presidency again.
and retired to his home in Independence, Missouri. A library was built in his honor. He died on December 26, l972.

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