Motion Picture MP2002-431
Administrative Information
A narrator begins detailing the Berlin Blockade and the 1948 presidential campaign. Harry S. Truman discusses the Berlin Blockade and its effects, including the risk of a third world war. Narrator also outlines what living conditions were like for those living under the blockade. Sound only.
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Shot List
Reel 1
| 0:00 | Narrator begins a documentary about the 1948 presidential campaign and the Berlin Blockade. There is background music. Remarks by Harry S. Truman are interspersed throughout the tape. | |
| 0:52 | Harry S. Truman discusses the Berlin Blockade, the hardships it was causing the people, and how the Kremlin was telling the people of Europe "the United States would back away from any military risks." | |
| 2:04 | Mr. Truman states that while Berlin was being blockaded, the Republican Convention was being held and nominated Thomas E. Dewey. Mr. Dewey's voice speaks of a foreign policy based on peace. | |
| 3:28 | Narrator details what life was like for those living under the blockade. The world and the Kremlin waited to see what the United States would do. Mr. Truman realized there was the risk of a third world war. | |
| 4:53 | Harry S. Truman has a cabinet meeting, he says, to declare that "the Berlin Blockade is a Russian propaganda move, bringing us to the brink of war." Segment of comedy routine with Bob Hope and Irving Berlin, who changed his name to Irving Jones because "anything over here named Berlin they cut into sections." | |
| 6:41 | Mr. Truman called a meeting of his Generals. "Generals are always pessimists you know." Mr. Truman tells of the anguish in making a decision, how he thought of the young men who would be killed. "But I made the decision: we would stay in Berlin come hell or high water." | |
| 7:45 | Narrator lists all the places the planes came from that made up the airlift: Guam, Tokyo, Alaska, Texas, Hawaii, California, and some from our allies. | |
| 8:05 | Narrator states that everyone waited for the Russian reaction. The Democratic Convention was in progress. Harry S. Truman was nominated, he describes how pigeons were released symbolizing peace, one lighting on Sam Rayburn's head. | |
| 8:58 | Harry S. Truman states that while he campaigned, he still had to be president. He claims he was very worried that Russia would plunge us into war, but he was determined to stay in Berlin "come hell or high water." | |