Franklin D Roosevelt Early Life and Career
Franklin Delano Roosevelt served as the 32nd president of the United States from 1933 until his death in 1945. He was born on 30 January 1882 in the Hudson Valley town of Hyde Park in New York. His parents are James Roosevelt, a businessman, and Sara Ann Delano, who was his second wife. Roosevelt’s family was well educated. This gave him access to the elite circles. Roosevelt’s early education included getting home tutors.
He attended Harvard University and Columbia Law School, and he married Eleanor Roosevelt [Source].
Roosevelt got political inspiration from his fifth cousin, President Theodore Roosevelt. He was introduced to politics as a Democrat. He won election to the New York Senate in 1910 and became an Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He kept on elevating to become the Democratic nominee for Vice President in 1920. In 1928, Roosevelt became Governor of New York.
He was first elected President in November 1932 before being re-elected for his second term in 1936.
Harry S Truman Early Life and Career
Harry S Truman is the 33rd president of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953. He was born on 8 May 1884 in Lamar, Missouri to John Anderson Truman and Martha Ellen Young Truman. Because of his mother’s influence, Truman was absorbed in music, reading, and studying history.
He did not pursue tertiary studies long enough to get a degree, and dropped out of Kansas City Law School, and enlisted in the army. During World War 1, he went to France as a Field Artillery and returned home [Source]. He married Elizabeth Virginia Wallace and opened a haberdashery in Kansas City.
As an active member of the Democratic Party, he was elected a judge then later became a Senator.
Similarities between Roosevelt and Truman
Both leaders were very influential when the country was in need. Roosevelt and Truman came with novel reforms of growing the economy. They both made efforts to become “transformational” presidents. They proposed new ways of economic structure and change. It is reported that “They both expanded economic issues during their times in offices. This, in turn, placed most of the burden on the federal government and future generations” [Source].
The two leaders implemented the non-interventionist stance in foreign policy. This avoided fighting wars on behalf of allies or defending them.
Both presidents supported being internationalists rather than being isolationists.
Differences between Roosevelt and Truman
Roosevelt applied the non-interventionist approach in Latin American affairs. Truman applied the same method in a broader spectrum.
Roosevelt faced war and invasion threats from Germany and Japan. Truman assumed the office when tensions were decreasing.
FDR had to rule while using military intelligence to deal with impending attacks. Truman worked hard in ensuring that those who wanted to attack surrendered.
In terms of foreign policy, FDR had to think about the welfare of the allies during wartime. Truman concentrated on bringing world peace in the post-war period.
Harry Truman foreign policy
Truman was concerned about how the US will interact with countries in the future. Truman’s philosophy made some of the basic principles for American Foreign Policy in the twentieth century. Some of his policies are still surviving in the Middle East and North Korea, as argued by political analysts.
He engaged in a “liberal internationalist foreign policy.” This entails the intervention of countries in each other’s governance issues in pursuit of liberal objectives. Such objectives included humanitarian and military intervention.
He also denounced isolationism. Truman wanted to protect his country from being dragged into war by forming alliances with certain nations. After the war, he helped to make the United Nations and the International Refugee Organization. [Source].
Franklin D Roosevelt foreign policy
FDR had the American government not interfere in Latin America through the Good Neighbor Policy. He preferred to be an internationalist rather than being isolationist. He provided aid to China, Britain, and France after advances by Japan, but was restricted from using the American military.
He introduced the Lend-Lease program in which he would help allies, especially after threats from Germany and Japan [Source]. In response to tensions arising, Roosevelt launched an invasion of France and Germany. This built a firm ground in assisting his allies and preventing more threats from Germany. His reign was marred with wars and invasions, FDR’s foreign policy was focused on withstanding those threats and aiding the allies.