Introduction
Truman was President for eight years and managed to make many significant decisions during his time. He was responsible for leading the country through the post-war era and rebuilding the economy. Truman made both popular and controversial decisions, and the most publicly supported choice was the most difficult to make. Deciding whether or not to enter the Korean War was the most challenging decision of Truman’s presidency, and the choice was primarily impacted by the Lesson of Munich.
Truman’s Presidency
A few weeks before the end of the war in Europe, Franklin Roosevelt died. Harry Truman was sworn in as the 33rd President of the United States – an unwanted course of action, according to Truman himself (McCullough, 290). Nevertheless, his presidency involved many important decisions that shaped the American economy and world politics. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which aimed to unite Western countries against the Soviet regime, came to existence under Truman’s leadership (McCullough, 293). Also, European economies, devastated after World War II, received support in terms of the Marshall Plan, which was the recovery program initiated by the President’s second secretary of state, George Marshall (McCullough, 293). The total value of distributed aid equaled 12 billion dollars (McCullough, 293). On the home front, Truman had to rebuild the American economy after the war. He intended to demobilize the American forces to cut military expenditures and transition the United States to a peace-time economy (McCullough, 300). It meant that the majority of factories that manufactured military supplies needed reformation.
Truman is popular mostly for his foreign policies and decisions on the world stage. Under its 33rd President, the United States first used an atomic bomb; after the destruction of two cities, Japan surrendered, and World War II ended (McCullough, 293). Despite objections on behalf of Marshall, Truman decided to recognize Israel as an independent state, contributing its legitimacy (McCullough, 303). The Cold War also began under his presidency, and the Truman Doctrine was a policy to contain the Soviet regime in the geopolitical arena (McCullough, 295). It is evident that difficult decisions accompanied Truman’s time in office. His most challenging choice, however, is less pronounced than most people would contemplate.
Most Difficult Decision
McCullough was Truman’s biographer who had more information about the President than the public. He wrote that Truman’s most difficult decision was related to the Korean War in 1950 (McCullough, 298). One could suggest that deciding over whether or not to use an atomic bomb was the most challenging decision. However, McCullough (298) argues the decision over the Korean War was more important. When Truman used an atomic bomb, he was confident that the decision would end the horrific war, which took away millions of lives (McCullough, 298). However, in the case of Korea, Truman feared that entering into a military conflict against North Korea would initiate a nuclear war, which could have even more negative consequences than World War II (McCullough, 298). Ironically, the American public was in favor of supporting the South Koreans and joining the conflict.
One could suggest that decisions are easier to make when there is public support. Truman, however, was not obsessed with public opinion but instead tried to make choices that would be beneficial to the United States and the world (McCullough, 299). After long contemplations, the United States joined the Korean War and supported South Korea in their struggles against the North. Truman’s original intention was to ensure the sovereignty of South Korea. After the American troops successfully drove North Koreans away from the southern borders, Truman became encouraged. The new goal was to relieve North Korea from the Communist regime (McCullough, 292). After the invasion of General Douglas MacArthur’s forces, China decided to intervene and inflicted a series of defeats on the American troops (McCullough, 292). Truman changed the goal of the war once again and retreated back to defending South Korea’s independence.
MacArthur did not agree with the President’s decision and advocated for a war against China. Truman’s decision to relieve the general from his services reinforces the suggestion that most popular choices are not always easy, and most controversial decisions can be simple. The public and the media criticized Truman heavily for his decision to fire MacArthur (McCullough, 298). The President, however, revealed that it was an easy decision to make because he knew that the choice would be perceived as correct in the long run (McCullough, 298). Indeed, a war against Communist China would likely involve the Soviet Union and all other countries that supported it, drawing the world into another war.
Impact of Lesson of Munich
Germany taught valuable lessons to politics around the world, and the Lesson of Munich is one of the most profound examples. Before World War II began in Europe, the British, the French, and Hitler came to an agreement that Germany would not expand its territories in exchange for legitimate control over a portion of Czechoslovakia (McCullough, 293). Blinded by the success of the negotiations, European countries lost control of the situation. Hitler invaded Poland the next year and started the deadliest war in humanity’s history. It is challenging to imagine what would have happened if the British and French confronted Hitler’s forces before the latter came into full force. However, it is reasonable to suggest that the consequences could have been much lighter. In this context, one could discuss the American participation in the Korean War. If the United States had not joined, contemporary South Korea might not have been the same as it is today.
When Truman contemplated joining the war, it was not the public opinion that influenced his decision. The Lesson of Munich had a significant impact on the President’s choice (McCullough, 298). Truman considered that the only way to appease an aggressor is to confront them in an armed conflict. Both the public and the Congress would be displeased if Truman negotiated with North Korea and later declared that he had achieved peace as the British Prime Minister did after Munich Pact. On the one hand, Truman feared that a nuclear war would start, and on the other hand, he was aware that it was not possible to negotiate.
Conclusion
The unexpected death of Roosevelt necessitated Truman to take the President’s responsibilities. Shortly after entering the office, Truman ordered to drop two atomic bombs on Japan, thus ending the Second World War. These bombings, however, were not his most difficult decisions. Entering the Korean War, which began five years after World War II concluded, was a challenging choice for Truman. Despite the risk of a nuclear war, the President decided to join the conflict, remembering the Lesson of Munich.