Harry TrumanDuring his presidential terms, Harry Truman demonstrated resilience in the face of the many foreign affairs he faced. Events that will highlight Truman's characteristics as an admirable leader include the difficulties he faced during World War II and his efforts to contain communism during the tensions of the Cold War. Truman took office after the death of Franklin Delano Roosevelt from a brain hemorrhage. was sworn in on April 12, 1845, becoming the 33rd President of the United States. Less than a month after Truman came to power, World War II in Europe was almost over, a month later Hitler had committed suicide and Germany was waving the white flag, but the war in the Pacific with Japan had intensified. Military planners advocated an Allied invasion of Japan, which Truman contradicted by asserting that this strategy would prolong the war for another year and result in high casualties among American soldiers. Truman knew that a second option existed through the Manhattan Project which developed the atomic bomb, while attending the Potsdam Conference, which discussed how to make Japan surrender, Truman was informed that a test of the atomic bomb had been successful, his efforts for a precedent conclusion to the war were in action. Truman approved the dropping of the atomic bomb on Japan; then on August 6, 1945, the B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped the first bomb on Hiroshima. Casualty estimates are serious, but more than 100,000 civilians died instantly. Japan had not yet surrendered, then the second bomb was dropped on August 9 on Nagasaki. Five days later, the Japanese surrendered on September 2, 1945. World War II was finally over. Although that war was over, the Cold War was only the beginning. ...... middle of paper ...... the controversy that the dropping of the atomic bomb is considered inhumane and racist by the American public. Furthermore, his handling of early Cold War tensions would be considered impressive by a president who claimed not to have much experience in foreign affairs; he still held his ground with the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan which contributed to future containment policies during the Cold War. A leader is someone who takes initiative, no matter how inexperienced or unsophisticated he may be, this is noticeable in Truman because he did not ask to be President of the United States, the title was simply given to him and he acted. Handle each situation to the best of your ability despite difficulties and circumstances. Truman was a great leader at a time when his country needed him most, and he planned to serve his country well..