Important American political figures of the late 1940’s

The United States was headed by Harry Truman in the late 1940's, only three months after becoming vice president; he took office after the death of President Franklin Roosevelt in 1945. President Harry Truman served in the White House from 1945 to 1953. As senator, Truman supported President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal programs that was specifically designed to help lift the nation out of the Great Depression. He also played a major role in the passage the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938 and the Transportation Act of 1940. During Truman's presidency, he adopted a policy of containment toward Soviet proliferation and the spread of communism. In 1947, he introduced the Truman Doctrine designed to provide aid to Greece and Turkey in an effort to safeguard them from communist violence; it was probably one of his most well-known policies whilst if office.

Joesph McCarthy was also another important political figure as well; he lead what was referred to as the Red Scare.