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The legacy of Harry Truman

printing headlines "Dewey Beats Truman". However, a miracle comeback took the election for Harry "the underdog". In a famous photo, he had brandished a headline while showing off a huge grin.

In his final challenge, President Truman battled the vaunted military. Communist North Korea had invaded Democratic South Korea in hopes of unifying the country. Truman stopped Communism once in Greece and Turkey. He decided to tackle it again with the newly-established United Nations armed force and World War II hero, General Douglas MacArthur. North Korea had the U.N.(with mostly American soldiers)trapped in the below the 38th parallel's pocket. Averting possible annhilation, a spectacular, amphibous landing had caught the Communists from behind. They were routed by U.N. forces until Communist China assisted them with 300,000 of their soldiers. MacArthur's army was shoved back and forced to retreat during a harsh winter. The angered general vowed to hit China right back. He propositioned to President Truman to expand the war. Truman backed off on the plan. He was concerned about a possible, military intervention from Russia. He realized the close relationship the dictators, Joseph Stalin and Mao Tse-Tung had. He was prepared to plunge America into a World War III.

MacArthur disagreed vehemently. He wanted to invade China and also punish Russia if they joined in. He asked to use nuclear weapons if the occasion arose. Truman said no. Afterwards, MacArthur questioned the president's leadership capabilities. Truman responded by dismissing the WWII general. He took final control of the "police action". American forces battled North Korean and Chinese troops to a statemate. Eventually, the United States, China and North Korea went to negotiations. China backed off when Truman promised to "limit" the conflict to North Korea. North Korea pulled back to the 38th parallel and allowed South Korea to be democratic and autonomous. America and the U.N. withdrew most of their forces, leaving a peace-keeping contingent in the Demilitarized Zone for "observation".

President Truman took on a revered, military general and won. He didn't let himself be pushed around by America's Armed Forces. His stance insured that future presidents had nothing to fear from military officers testing their resolve. Insubordination to the president resulted in a public removal of command. In Third World nations, presidents and prime ministers lived in fear of they or their families being killed in military coups. Commander-in-Chiefs often had short and turbulent, political careers. In America, thanks to Truman's bravery, they lived out their terms and lived out their lives.

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