Who Was President During World War II?
One of the most significant conflicts in the history of the world, World War II, took place between 1939 and 1945. The Second World War saw the effects of power and destruction on a global scale and saw multiple countries involved, which eventually resulted in the collapse of the Axis powers, Germany, Japan, and Italy.
During this period, the United States was fortunate enough to be led by two historically noteworthy presidents. Franklin D. Roosevelt led the nation through most of the war and relinquished his grip shortly before its close. Harry S. Truman then took office shortly after Roosevelt’s death and led the charge for victory in the Second World War.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt was the 32nd president of the United States from 1933 to 1945, the longest-serving president in the country’s history. He is most commonly associated with his controversial New Deal policies, which aimed to tackle the tremendous poverty and suffering in the wake of the Great Depression.
In his state of the nation address in 1941, Roosevelt declared that the United States would remain neutral from the war due to its geographic isolation from the European landscape. However, he also recognized that the nation could not ignore the realities of the conflict, particularly after the devastating attack on Pearl Harbour in December of that year. It was then that he initiated military deployment in Europe, working hand-in-hand with Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister.
FDR’s Presidency During World War II
Throughout the war, Roosevelt’s presidential duties included defending the United States’ position as a protector and major leader in the Allied force throughout the conflict. His commitment to victory was felt in all corners of the globe.
Roosevelt utilized his expertise and leadership to shape the Grand Alliance and the increasing tensions among the Allied powers in order to ensure victory. He also provided a great deal of economic assistance to the Allies with the Lend-Lease Act in 1941. This was essential in providing ships, ammunition, and other military equipment for theduration of the war.
Furthermore, Roosevelt’s expertise in diplomacy and international conflict resolution became evident as he worked with Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill at the Tehran Conference and the Yalta Conference to discuss the division of Europe and the establishment of the United Nations following the war.
Roosevelt was also credited for his integral role in the creation of the Declaration of the United Nations in 1943. This document, signed by 26 nations, was a commitment to promote international peace and cooperation and was widely regarded as the precursor to the United Nations.
During this period, Roosevelt also oversaw the war efforts of the United States, with victory in the Battle of Midway in June, 1942 being declared as the turning point of the conflict. This pivotal win, particularly in the Pacific Theater, became a catalyst that pushed the United States and its Allies to pursue more aggressive strategies and ultimately led to the defeat of the Axis powers in 1945.
Harry S. Truman
It was shortly after Roosevelt’s death in April of 1945 that Harry S. Truman took up the mantle. The 33rd president of the United States, Truman had already served as Vice-President for four months before he assumed the presidency. Unlike Roosevelt, Truman had many years of military service and had most recently commanded the 129th Field Artillery Regiment of the Missouri National Guard during World War I.
He was known as a pragmatic figure and had achieved notoriety among his peers for creating the Truman Committee in 1941, which investigated spending and potential fraud in US military contracts during the war.
Truman’s Presidency During World War II
Following Roosevelt’s death and his extensive knowledge of military tactics, Truman rose to the occasion and quickly assumed control. As a seasoned military man, he had little trouble in replacing Roosevelt as Commander-in-Chief, a title he assumed until the end of the war in 1945.
One of the most significant decisions made during Truman’s presidency was the utilization of the atomic bomb. Truman made the difficult but ultimately successful decision to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August of 1945, not long after his induction as President.
This action caused a massive shift in the war, provided the United States a significant diplomatic advantage, and ultimately led to Japan’s surrender in September. This move was credited with bringing a swift end to the Second World War.
Throughout the end of his presidency, Truman was also responsible for overseeing other key elements of the war effort, such as the American participation in the Potsdam Conference in July of 1945. Here, America and the other major Allied Powers discussed the post-war regulations and reparations imposed on Japan. Moreover, the United States ensured a maximum punishment for the leading members of the Axis powers responsible for the war effort.
Achievements After World War II
After the war, Truman also oversaw the rebuilding of Europe and Japan with the Marshall Plan and the Japanese Peace Treaty respectively. The occupation of Germany was also tied to the Cold War tensions, which began to arise between the United States and Soviet Union. This development would undoubtedly become one of the most significant issues for the remainder of Truman’s presidency.
Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman were two influential forces that led the United States through the Second World War. Roosevelt’s strategic guidance and economic reforms had a massive influence on the outcome of the war, while Truman’s background in military tactics allowed the nation to capitalize on its greatest strengths while pursuing ultimate victory. Their actions throughout this period of history will be remembered and remain integral to the current state of the world.
