Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972

Former president Harry S. Truman discusses the inflation after World War II, once price controls were eliminated.

Former president Harry S. Truman, referring to postwar aid for Greece and Turkey, says he got the impression there was little opposition from a bipartisan group.

Former president Harry S. Truman says that Republican Senator Robert Taft asked if he really wanted to pass a WPA (Works Progress Administration) for Greeks, referring to providing Greece with aid after World War II

Former president Harry S. Truman says that the British asked the United States to help with aid to Greece.

Former president Harry S. Truman says he had to make a hard decision. This was likely in reference to providing aid to Greece and Turkey.

Former president Harry S. Truman explains why it was necessary for the United States to shift its foreign policy from isolationism to internationalism. He explains that the newspapers gave it the name "The Truman Doctrine" but all it really was was an aspect of American foreign policy designed to keep communism from spreading into areas previously influenced by Great Britain and France.

Former president Harry S. Truman discusses forcing the Russians to meet their agreements, and the only way to do this was to maintain a greater force. He gives an example. When the allies had agreed on a date that they would pull their military forces out of Azerbaijan, the Americans complied and the Russians did not. Truman threatened to put troops back and to move the Pacific Fleet into the Persian Gulf, and the Russians removed their military within a week. A part of this segment repeats with different camera angle.

Former president Harry S. Truman says that voters usually use good sense and good reason. When they voted for him in 1948, they must have thought he was right. This segment repeats with different camera angle.

Former president Harry S. Truman sets the stage for what was happening on August 6th, 1945, the day the United States bombed Hiroshima. He says at that time, American forces were preparing to be killed as they faced fighting in Luzon (Philippines). 

Former president Harry S. Truman says we had to stop the chain reaction of Soviet aggression. In this context he is speaking of aid to Greece and the Truman Doctrine.