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Narrator:
IN 1944, A LITTLE-KNOWN SENATOR
FROM MISSOURI
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WAS CAMPAIGNING FOR THE OFFICE
OF VICE-PRESIDENT.
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NEW ORLEANS, HOUSTON, PORTLAND,
SEATTLE, BOSTON, NEW YORK CITY
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00:00:34,568 --> 00:00:37,303
WASHINGTON, PITTSBURGH,
ST. LOUIS.
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HE CRISSCROSSED AMERICA.
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00:00:45,345 --> 00:00:48,214
ONE NIGHT,
IN HIS PRIVATE PULLMAN CAR
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00:00:48,316 --> 00:00:50,849
HE AWOKE IN A COLD SWEAT.
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00:00:50,951 --> 00:00:54,619
HE HAD DREAMED THAT
FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT HAD DIED
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00:00:54,722 --> 00:00:59,258
AND HE, HARRY TRUMAN, WAS
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
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00:00:59,360 --> 00:01:02,895
IN ALL HIS LIFE,
TRUMAN TOLD A REPORTER
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00:01:02,997 --> 00:01:07,233
HE HAD NEVER HAD SUCH
A TERRIFYING NIGHTMARE.
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APRIL 12, 1945.
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VICE-PRESIDENT HARRY S. TRUMAN
RECEIVED A CALL
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URGING HIM TO COME QUICKLY
AND QUIETLY TO THE WHITE HOUSE.
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AS HE RAN THROUGH THE CORRIDORS
OF THE CAPITOL
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HE REFUSED TO FACE
WHAT LAY AHEAD.
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"I THOUGHT I WAS GOING DOWN
THERE TO MEET THE PRESIDENT"
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TRUMAN SAID LATER.
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"I DIDN'T ALLOW MYSELF TO THINK
ANYTHING ELSE."
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AT 5:25 P.M., TRUMAN ENTERED THE
FIRST LADY'S SECOND-FLOOR STUDY.
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ELEANOR ROOSEVELT PUT HER ARM
AROUND HIS SHOULDER.
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"HARRY," SHE TOLD HIM,
"THE PRESIDENT IS DEAD."
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"IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN
DO FOR YOU?" TRUMAN ASKED.
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"IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO FOR
YOU?" MRS. ROOSEVELT REPLIED
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"FOR YOU ARE THE ONE
IN TROUBLE NOW."
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HE WAS ONLY
A HIGH-SCHOOL GRADUATE
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A FARMER UNTIL HE WAS 33
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A HABERDASHER
GONE BANKRUPT AT 38.
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NO ONE IN WASHINGTON
HAD EVEN HEARD OF HARRY TRUMAN
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BEFORE HE WAS 50.
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NOW, AT 60, HE WAS PRESIDENT
OF THE UNITED STATES.
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Man:
HERE WAS A LITTLE HABERDASHER
FROM MISSOURI...
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00:03:00,081 --> 00:03:02,414
A SMALL BUSINESSMAN.
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00:03:02,516 --> 00:03:06,118
FOR HIM TO STEP IN
THE SHOES OF THE GREAT F.D.R.
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00:03:06,219 --> 00:03:09,254
THERE WAS
AN ENORMOUS FEELING OF LETDOWN.
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McCullough:
FOR MANY PEOPLE, IT WAS
AS IF THE PRESIDENCY HAD DIED
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00:03:19,199 --> 00:03:21,599
NOT JUST THE PRESIDENT.
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00:03:21,702 --> 00:03:25,503
PEOPLE WERE SHAKEN,
NOT JUST BY ROOSEVELT'S DEATH
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00:03:25,606 --> 00:03:28,807
BUT WHAT DID THIS MEAN
TO HAVE THIS UNKNOWN QUANTITY
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STEP INTO SUCH A POWERFUL
AND IMPORTANT POSITION?
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Narrator:
"IF HARRY TRUMAN
CAN BE PRESIDENT"
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AMERICANS EVERYWHERE WERE SAYING
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"SO COULD
MY NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBOR."
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Truman:
OUR HEARTS ARE HEAVY.
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THE CAUSE WHICH CLAIMED
ROOSEVELT ALSO CLAIMS US.
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00:03:48,229 --> 00:03:52,830
HE NEVER FALTERED, NOR WILL WE.
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Man:
I FELT THAT THE MAN
WAS OUT OF HIS ELEMENT
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AND I THINK MANY OTHER AMERICANS
EXPRESSED THE SAME FEAR:
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00:04:01,842 --> 00:04:04,843
"WE'VE GOT AN INCOMPETENT
THAT WE KNOW NOTHING ABOUT
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00:04:04,945 --> 00:04:06,879
IN THE WHITE HOUSE."
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00:04:06,981 --> 00:04:09,214
IT WAS A FRIGHTENING THING
TO CONTEMPLATE.
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Narrator:
OF ALL THE MEN
WHO HAD BEEN PRESIDENT
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HE WAS ONE OF
THE LEAST PREPARED.
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VICE-PRESIDENT FOR ONLY 82 DAYS
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00:04:17,090 --> 00:04:20,859
EXCLUDED FROM ROOSEVELT'S
INNER CIRCLE, HE KNEW NOTHING
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00:04:20,961 --> 00:04:25,030
ABOUT THE WAR RAGING ACROSS
THREE CONTINENTS AND TWO OCEANS
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EXCEPT WHAT HE READ
IN THE PAPERS.
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BUT WITHIN FOUR MONTHS
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HARRY S. TRUMAN
WOULD HAVE AT HIS COMMAND
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THE MOST TERRIBLE WEAPON
EVER DEVISED BY MAN
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AND HE WOULD HAVE TO DECIDE
WHETHER OR NOT TO USE IT.
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Narrator:
"NOW, HARRY, YOU BE GOOD"
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MARTHA TRUMAN HAD TOLD
HER 11-YEAR-OLD SON.
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00:05:23,224 --> 00:05:25,724
AND HARRY TRUMAN
HAD WANTED TO BE GOOD.
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00:05:25,826 --> 00:05:28,427
HE DREAMED OF BECOMING
A CONCERT PIANIST
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AND PRACTICED WITH THE SAME
DETERMINED, OPTIMISTIC SPIRIT
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HIS PIONEER GRANDPARENTS
BROUGHT WITH THEM
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WHEN THEY FIRST CAME WEST
TO MISSOURI.
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00:05:43,143 --> 00:05:45,110
BORN ON MAY 8, 1884, IN LAMAR
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HARRY WAS SIX WHEN HIS FAMILY
SETTLED IN INDEPENDENCE
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A TOWN STILL CLOSE
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TO THE RUGGED LIFE
OF THE AMERICAN FRONTIER.
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00:05:54,187 --> 00:05:56,188
MEN CARRIED KNIVES OR GUNS.
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00:05:56,290 --> 00:05:58,357
FISTFIGHTS WERE COMMON.
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00:05:58,459 --> 00:06:01,326
INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI,
WAS NOT A PLACE
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00:06:01,428 --> 00:06:03,962
WHERE YOUNG BOYS
PLAYED THE PIANO.
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00:06:12,606 --> 00:06:17,209
Man:
HE'S THIS YOUNG KID
WHO LOOKS SORT OF LIKE A SISSY.
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00:06:17,311 --> 00:06:20,178
THERE'S A SURVIVING PICTURE
OF HIM
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00:06:20,280 --> 00:06:23,615
THAT WAS MADE AROUND THE TIME
HE WAS 11.
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00:06:23,717 --> 00:06:29,020
YOU SEE THIS KID WHO LOOKS SORT
OF LIKE LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY
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00:06:29,122 --> 00:06:34,359
DRESSED UP IN HIS SUNDAY BEST,
SORT OF PUDGY
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00:06:34,461 --> 00:06:36,661
WEARING THESE BIG, THICK GLASSES
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00:06:36,763 --> 00:06:40,365
IN A DAY
WHEN IT WAS VERY UNUSUAL
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00:06:40,467 --> 00:06:43,769
FOR A KID TO WEAR EYEGLASSES.
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00:06:43,871 --> 00:06:47,239
Narrator:
"THE POPULAR BOYS WERE THE ONES
WHO WERE GOOD AT GAMES
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AND HAD BIG, TIGHT FISTS,"
TRUMAN REMEMBERED YEARS LATER.
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00:06:52,012 --> 00:06:54,179
"I WAS NEVER LIKE THAT.
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00:06:54,281 --> 00:06:57,148
"WITHOUT MY GLASSES
I WAS BLIND AS A BAT
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00:06:57,250 --> 00:07:00,418
"AND TO TELL THE TRUTH,
I WAS KIND OF A SISSY.
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00:07:00,520 --> 00:07:03,856
"IF THERE WAS ANY DANGER
OF GETTING INTO A FIGHT
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00:07:03,958 --> 00:07:05,891
I ALWAYS RAN."
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00:07:11,398 --> 00:07:16,869
BUT IN SPITE OF THE TEASING,
HARRY KEPT ON PLAYING THE PIANO.
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00:07:16,971 --> 00:07:19,637
ALL HIS LIFE,
HARRY TRUMAN WOULD SHOW
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00:07:19,739 --> 00:07:21,906
THE SAME DOGGED PERSEVERANCE.
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00:07:22,009 --> 00:07:26,178
McCullough:
THERE WAS THAT LITTLE BOY
UP EVERY MORNING AT 5:00
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00:07:26,280 --> 00:07:30,448
FOR TWO HOURS IN ABSOLUTE
EARNEST BEFORE GOING TO SCHOOL
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00:07:30,550 --> 00:07:32,851
SITTING THERE IN THE HALF-LIGHT
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00:07:32,953 --> 00:07:35,454
WORKING AWAY
AT MOZART OR CHOPIN.
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00:07:42,863 --> 00:07:47,332
Narrator:
IT WAS HARRY'S MOTHER WHO FIRST
URGED HIM TO PLAY THE PIANO
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00:07:47,434 --> 00:07:49,501
AND ENCOURAGED HIM TO PRACTICE.
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00:07:49,603 --> 00:07:52,570
"HARRY WAS THE SORT OF BOY,"
A FRIEND RECALLED
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00:07:52,672 --> 00:07:55,807
"WHO SEEMED TO DO
WHATEVER HIS MOTHER TOLD HIM."
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00:07:55,910 --> 00:07:57,976
THE DAUGHTER OF A PIONEER FARMER
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MARTHA TRUMAN
HAD GONE TO COLLEGE
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00:08:00,280 --> 00:08:02,714
AND STUDIED MUSIC,
ART AND LITERATURE.
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00:08:02,816 --> 00:08:05,683
BEFORE HARRY WAS FIVE,
SHE SAT HIM ON HER LAP
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00:08:05,785 --> 00:08:08,720
AND TAUGHT HIM TO READ
FROM THE FAMILY BIBLE.
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00:08:08,822 --> 00:08:10,622
Man:
I THINK HARRY'S MOTHER
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00:08:10,691 --> 00:08:12,890
WANTED HIM TO BE
A REAL GENTLEMAN
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00:08:12,992 --> 00:08:14,726
AND DO THINGS JUST RIGHT.
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00:08:14,828 --> 00:08:17,428
SHE ACTUALLY BABIED HARRY
A GOOD DEAL
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00:08:17,531 --> 00:08:21,533
IF YOU WANT TO SAY IT THAT,
BUT SHE HAD NO OTHER CHOICE
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00:08:21,635 --> 00:08:26,404
BECAUSE HE COULDN'T DO THE ROUGH
AND TUMBLE WITH THE OTHER KIDS.
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00:08:32,012 --> 00:08:35,980
Narrator:
HARRY'S INTRODUCTION TO POLITICS
WAS ROWDY AND BOISTEROUS.
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00:08:36,082 --> 00:08:40,218
ELECTION DAY
AT THE END OF THE 19th CENTURY
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00:08:40,320 --> 00:08:45,089
WAS MARKED BY HIGH SPIRITS,
CAROUSING AND BRAWLS.
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00:08:45,191 --> 00:08:48,360
AND IN INDEPENDENCE,
HARRY'S FATHER, JOHN TRUMAN
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00:08:48,461 --> 00:08:51,463
WAS ALWAYS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE
OF THE ACTION.
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00:08:51,565 --> 00:08:56,234
McCullough:
HIS FATHER WAS ABOUT FIVE FOOT
FOUR OR SO, BUT TOUGH.
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00:08:56,336 --> 00:08:58,937
HE WOULD FIGHT
AT THE DROP OF A HAT.
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00:08:59,039 --> 00:09:02,474
HE WOULD TAKE AFTER PEOPLE,
PARTICULARLY ON ELECTION DAY
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00:09:02,576 --> 00:09:04,676
AND ONCE WHEN A MAN
IN A COURTROOM
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00:09:04,778 --> 00:09:06,444
ACCUSED HIM OF BEING A LIAR
130
00:09:06,547 --> 00:09:09,013
HE CHASED THE FELLOW
OUT INTO THE STREET
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00:09:09,115 --> 00:09:10,982
AND THREATENED TO BEAT HIM UP.
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00:09:11,084 --> 00:09:16,287
Narrator:
LIKE HARRY'S MOTHER, JOHN TRUMAN
ALSO CAME FROM PIONEER STOCK.
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00:09:16,389 --> 00:09:19,725
HE EARNED HIS LIVING
TRADING HORSES AND MULES.
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00:09:19,827 --> 00:09:22,460
"A FIERY FELLOW,"
PEOPLE SAID OF HIM.
135
00:09:22,562 --> 00:09:24,996
"VERY STUBBORN,
BUT ON THE SQUARE.
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00:09:25,098 --> 00:09:27,632
"A MAN OF HIS INTEGRITY
AND INDUSTRY
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00:09:27,734 --> 00:09:30,168
YOU EXCUSE
A WHOLE LOT OF THINGS."
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00:09:30,270 --> 00:09:34,673
ALL HIS LIFE, HARRY WOULD TRY
TO EARN JOHN TRUMAN'S RESPECT.
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00:09:34,775 --> 00:09:39,344
McCullough:
ONCE HIS FATHER
GOT YOUNG HARRY A PONY
140
00:09:39,446 --> 00:09:41,406
AND THE FATHER
WAS LEADING THE PONY
141
00:09:41,481 --> 00:09:44,682
AND THE LITTLE BOY FELL OFF
THE PONY AND STARTED TO CRY.
142
00:09:44,785 --> 00:09:47,586
AND THE FATHER SAID,
"ANY LITTLE BOY THAT CRIES
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00:09:47,688 --> 00:09:50,321
WHEN HE FALLS OFF THE PONY
HAS TO WALK HOME."
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00:09:50,424 --> 00:09:52,490
SO HE HAD TO WALK
ALL THE WAY BACK.
145
00:09:52,593 --> 00:09:56,061
AND MRS. TRUMAN, HARRY'S MOTHER,
DIDN'T LIKE THAT AT ALL.
146
00:09:56,163 --> 00:10:01,065
Narrator:
"MAMA THOUGHT I WAS BADLY
MISTREATED, BUT I WASN'T"
147
00:10:01,167 --> 00:10:02,600
TRUMAN REMEMBERED.
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00:10:02,702 --> 00:10:05,837
"IN SPITE OF MY CRYING
ALL THE WAY HOME
149
00:10:05,939 --> 00:10:07,539
I LEARNED A LESSON."
150
00:10:07,641 --> 00:10:12,110
HARRY LEARNED THAT A MAN
KEPT TRYING UNTIL HE SUCCEEDED;
151
00:10:12,212 --> 00:10:15,380
THAT A MAN NEVER ADMITTED
HE WAS AFRAID;
152
00:10:15,482 --> 00:10:20,051
THAT A MAN HAD TO SPEAK BLUNTLY
AND BE PREPARED TO FIGHT.
153
00:10:20,153 --> 00:10:22,587
BUT NO MATTER HOW HARD HE TRIED
154
00:10:22,689 --> 00:10:25,389
HARRY COULD NEVER QUITE
MEASURE UP.
155
00:10:25,492 --> 00:10:28,026
Hamby:
MY OWN IMPRESSION IS
156
00:10:28,128 --> 00:10:32,597
THAT HE REALLY WANTED
TO RELATE TO HIS FATHER.
157
00:10:32,699 --> 00:10:35,200
HE FELT THAT THEIR RELATIONSHIP
WAS NOT AS GOOD
158
00:10:35,302 --> 00:10:36,534
AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN.
159
00:10:36,636 --> 00:10:38,937
IT WAS NOT AS CLOSE
AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN.
160
00:10:39,039 --> 00:10:42,173
Narrator:
HARRY WAS NOT
HIS FATHER'S FAVORITE.
161
00:10:42,275 --> 00:10:44,776
HIS YOUNGER BROTHER
JOHN VIVIAN WAS.
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00:10:44,878 --> 00:10:47,645
JOHN VIVIAN SHARED
HIS FATHER'S INTEREST
163
00:10:47,747 --> 00:10:49,747
IN TRADING HORSES AND MULES.
164
00:10:49,850 --> 00:10:52,117
HARRY PREFERRED TO READ.
165
00:10:56,356 --> 00:11:00,225
HARRY WAS ONE OF THE FEW BOYS
IN TOWN WHO WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL.
166
00:11:00,326 --> 00:11:03,194
MOST OF THE STUDENTS
IN HIS CLASS WERE GIRLS.
167
00:11:06,933 --> 00:11:09,633
HE SPENT HIS SPARE TIME
GOING TO CONCERTS
168
00:11:09,736 --> 00:11:11,836
WHEN HE WASN'T DEVOURING BOOKS.
169
00:11:11,938 --> 00:11:17,709
McCullough:
HE CLAIMED TO HAVE READ EVERY
BOOK IN THE LITTLE TOWN LIBRARY.
170
00:11:17,811 --> 00:11:21,179
HE PARTICULARLY LIKED
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY...
171
00:11:21,281 --> 00:11:25,016
GEORGE WASHINGTON, ANDREW
JACKSON AND ROBERT E. LEE.
172
00:11:25,118 --> 00:11:29,387
THEY WERE HIS HEROES AND
HE WANTED TO BE LIKE THEY WERE.
173
00:11:29,489 --> 00:11:34,158
Narrator:
EVERYTHING HE LEARNED
REINFORCED HIS NATIVE OPTIMISM
174
00:11:34,260 --> 00:11:38,797
AND TAUGHT HIM TO ADMIRE THE
SIMPLE OLD-FASHIONED VIRTUES.
175
00:11:38,899 --> 00:11:42,367
"A TRUE HEART, A STRONG MIND
AND A GREAT DEAL OF COURAGE"
176
00:11:42,469 --> 00:11:44,436
HE WROTE IN A SCHOOL COMPOSITION
177
00:11:44,538 --> 00:11:47,505
"AND I THINK A MAN
WILL GET THROUGH THE WORLD."
178
00:11:49,609 --> 00:11:51,810
McCullough:
TRUMAN GREW UP IN A TOWN
179
00:11:51,912 --> 00:11:54,979
WHERE THERE WERE CERTAIN
STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR.
180
00:11:55,081 --> 00:11:57,449
SELFISHNESS IS NOT TOLERATED.
181
00:11:57,551 --> 00:11:59,317
HYPOCRISY IS DETESTED.
182
00:11:59,419 --> 00:12:02,587
YOU WERE PUT DOWN
IF YOU STARTED ACTING
183
00:12:02,689 --> 00:12:05,423
A LITTLE TOO BIG
FOR YOUR BRITCHES
184
00:12:05,525 --> 00:12:09,927
AND YOU JUDGE PEOPLE BY THE WORK
THEY DO... DOING A GOOD JOB.
185
00:12:10,030 --> 00:12:11,796
"INDEPENDENCE," HARRY SAID
186
00:12:11,898 --> 00:12:15,834
"WAS A PLACE WHERE RIGHT
WAS RIGHT AND WRONG WAS WRONG
187
00:12:15,936 --> 00:12:18,669
AND YOU DIDN'T
HAVE TO TALK ABOUT IT."
188
00:12:20,206 --> 00:12:25,543
THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE, TRUMAN
WOULD IDEALIZE HIS HOMETOWN.
189
00:12:25,646 --> 00:12:27,945
BUT INDEPENDENCE
WAS ALSO A PLACE
190
00:12:28,047 --> 00:12:31,482
WHERE CATHOLICS AND JEWS
WERE NOT TO BE TRUSTED
191
00:12:31,584 --> 00:12:34,052
ITALIANS AND IRISH
NOT TO BE HIRED.
192
00:12:34,154 --> 00:12:37,856
BLACKS LIVED IN A CLUSTER
OF SHACKS CALLED "NIGGER NECK."
193
00:12:37,958 --> 00:12:42,026
McCullough:
INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI,
WAS MORE LIKE THE SOUTH
194
00:12:42,129 --> 00:12:44,195
THAN IT WAS LIKE THE MIDWEST.
195
00:12:44,298 --> 00:12:45,997
IT WAS A JIM CROW TOWN.
196
00:12:46,099 --> 00:12:48,033
WHEN THE CIVIL WAR VETERANS
197
00:12:48,135 --> 00:12:50,935
GATHERED ON THE TOWN SQUARE
FOR REUNIONS
198
00:12:51,037 --> 00:12:53,204
THEY WERE CONFEDERATE VETERANS.
199
00:12:53,306 --> 00:12:57,508
AND TRUMAN GREW UP IN A FAMILY
WHERE RACIAL SLURS WERE USED
200
00:12:57,610 --> 00:13:01,445
WHERE OLD HABITS OF THE MIND
AND THE MOUTH PREVAILED.
201
00:13:01,547 --> 00:13:05,850
HARRY'S GRANDMOTHER ESPECIALLY
JUST HATED ABE LINCOLN.
202
00:13:05,952 --> 00:13:10,988
HARRY'S MOTHER DIDN'T FEEL VERY
GOOD ABOUT ABE LINCOLN EITHER.
203
00:13:11,090 --> 00:13:13,625
HER BIG HERO WAS ROBERT E. LEE.
204
00:13:13,727 --> 00:13:15,794
AND YOU GET THE IMPRESSION
205
00:13:15,896 --> 00:13:20,197
FROM WHAT YOU LEARN ABOUT
TRUMAN'S MOTHER THAT, UH...
206
00:13:20,300 --> 00:13:23,935
SHE THOUGHT JOHN WILKES BOOTH
WAS A GREAT MAN.
207
00:13:24,037 --> 00:13:28,607
Narrator:
HARRY BEGAN LIFE WITH
ALL THE PREJUDICES OF HIS FAMILY
208
00:13:28,709 --> 00:13:31,375
AND MOST OF HIS FRIENDS
AND NEIGHBORS.
209
00:13:31,477 --> 00:13:34,346
THE BEST AND WORST
OF SMALL-TOWN AMERICA
210
00:13:34,448 --> 00:13:37,014
HELPED SHAPE
HIS MORAL IMAGINATION.
211
00:13:44,924 --> 00:13:47,525
IN 1900, HARRY
AND HIS FATHER WENT
212
00:13:47,628 --> 00:13:51,862
TO THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL
CONVENTION IN KANSAS CITY.
213
00:13:51,965 --> 00:13:54,031
JOHN TRUMAN WAS
A LIFELONG DEMOCRAT
214
00:13:54,134 --> 00:13:57,735
WHO PASSED HIS STAUNCH PARTY
CONVICTIONS ALONG TO HIS SON.
215
00:13:57,837 --> 00:14:02,573
IT WAS THE 16-YEAR-OLD BOY'S
FIRST TASTE OF NATIONAL POLITICS
216
00:14:02,675 --> 00:14:04,742
AND HE LOVED IT.
217
00:14:04,844 --> 00:14:08,880
THE CROWDS, THE HOOPLA,
AND AS THE NEW CENTURY BEGAN
218
00:14:08,982 --> 00:14:12,350
THE SPIRIT OF OPTIMISM
THAT FILLED THE AIR...
219
00:14:12,452 --> 00:14:15,853
THE DREAMS OF BETTER
AND BETTER TIMES AHEAD.
220
00:14:15,955 --> 00:14:18,523
JOHN TRUMAN HAD HIS OWN DREAMS.
221
00:14:18,625 --> 00:14:22,993
FIERCELY AMBITIOUS, ALWAYS
ATTRACTED TO THE BIG SCORE
222
00:14:23,095 --> 00:14:26,197
HE BEGAN SPECULATING
IN GRAIN FUTURES.
223
00:14:26,300 --> 00:14:28,366
Hamby:
HE WANTED TO GET RICH.
224
00:14:28,468 --> 00:14:30,868
HE THOUGHT YOU HAD TO WORK HARD.
225
00:14:30,970 --> 00:14:33,371
HE WAS AN ENORMOUSLY HARD WORKER
226
00:14:33,473 --> 00:14:38,175
BUT HE THOUGHT THAT YOU NEEDED
SOME LUCK IN ORDER TO GET RICH.
227
00:14:38,277 --> 00:14:40,979
AND HE BET THE FAMILY SAVINGS
228
00:14:41,081 --> 00:14:46,050
AND INDEED EVENTUALLY
THE FAMILY HOME IN INDEPENDENCE
229
00:14:46,152 --> 00:14:48,119
ON THE GRAIN MARKETS.
230
00:14:48,221 --> 00:14:51,522
Narrator:
"YOUTH, THE HOPE OF THE WORLD"
231
00:14:51,624 --> 00:14:54,658
READ THE LATIN SLOGAN
ABOVE THE HEADS
232
00:14:54,760 --> 00:14:59,130
OF HARRY TRUMAN'S 1901
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATING CLASS.
233
00:14:59,232 --> 00:15:03,601
BUT NOW, AT 17, HARRY'S
OWN HOPES WERE SHATTERED.
234
00:15:05,105 --> 00:15:07,072
HE HAD WANTED TO GO TO COLLEGE
235
00:15:07,174 --> 00:15:11,343
BUT HIS FATHER'S GAMBLE ON THE
GRAIN MARKETS PROVED DISASTROUS
236
00:15:11,444 --> 00:15:14,312
AND THE TRUMANS LOST
EVERYTHING THEY OWNED.
237
00:15:14,414 --> 00:15:17,415
BUT HARRY NEVER COMPLAINED
ABOUT HIS LUCK.
238
00:15:17,517 --> 00:15:19,083
HE NEVER WOULD.
239
00:15:19,185 --> 00:15:22,187
DETERMINED TO HELP
SUPPORT HIS FAMILY
240
00:15:22,288 --> 00:15:25,089
HE HEADED FOR
NEARBY KANSAS CITY.
241
00:15:42,742 --> 00:15:46,144
FOR A 17-YEAR-OLD BOY
JUST STARTING OUT IN LIFE
242
00:15:46,246 --> 00:15:49,480
KANSAS CITY WAS BRIMMING
WITH POSSIBILITIES.
243
00:15:49,582 --> 00:15:54,819
McCullough:
IT'S A BIG, ROUGH, BOISTEROUS,
OVERGROWN COW TOWN.
244
00:15:54,921 --> 00:15:58,522
IT'S GOT EVERYTHING, INCLUDING
LOTS OF OPPORTUNITY FOR SIN
245
00:15:58,625 --> 00:16:00,358
IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANTED.
246
00:16:04,397 --> 00:16:09,200
PROSTITUTION, GAMBLING AND WIDE
OPEN ALL-NIGHT HELL RAISING.
247
00:16:13,339 --> 00:16:17,642
TO WHAT EXTENT
HARRY EXPERIENCED ANY OF THAT
248
00:16:17,744 --> 00:16:19,477
WE'LL NEVER KNOW.
249
00:16:19,579 --> 00:16:21,846
MY SUSPICION IS NOT AT ALL.
250
00:16:21,948 --> 00:16:23,581
HE WAS A GOOD BOY.
251
00:16:23,683 --> 00:16:27,652
Babcock:
HARRY WAS A NICE GUY AND HIS
MOTHER HAD RAISED HIM VERY WELL.
252
00:16:27,753 --> 00:16:31,289
I DON'T THINK HE WAS ABOUT TO
GET INTO TROUBLE IN KANSAS CITY
253
00:16:31,391 --> 00:16:34,926
EVEN THOUGH A LOT OF PEOPLE DID
IN THOSE DAYS, YOU KNOW.
254
00:16:35,028 --> 00:16:38,796
HARRY DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF
MONEY, SO HE WORKED ALL THE TIME
255
00:16:38,899 --> 00:16:42,066
SO HE COULDN'T GET
INTO VERY MUCH TROUBLE THAT WAY
256
00:16:42,168 --> 00:16:44,335
BECAUSE HIS TIME
WAS SPENT WORKING.
257
00:16:44,437 --> 00:16:46,557
Narrator:
MAILROOM BOY FOR A NEWSPAPER...
258
00:16:46,639 --> 00:16:49,640
TIMEKEEPER FOR A RAILROAD
CONSTRUCTION COMPANY...
259
00:16:49,743 --> 00:16:51,576
BANK CLERK.
260
00:16:51,678 --> 00:16:55,780
HARRY TOOK WHAT JOBS CAME HIS
WAY AND MADE THE MOST OF THEM.
261
00:17:00,754 --> 00:17:05,055
"KANSAS CITY," HARRY REPORTED,
"WAS A PLACE WITH THINGS DOING."
262
00:17:07,627 --> 00:17:10,761
HE WENT TO CONCERTS,
THEATER AND VAUDEVILLE
263
00:17:10,863 --> 00:17:13,831
SAW THE FOUR COHANS
AND SARAH BERNHARDT.
264
00:17:15,869 --> 00:17:17,936
ONCE HE HEARD
THEODORE ROOSEVELT SPEAK
265
00:17:18,037 --> 00:17:19,837
FROM THE BACK OF A RAILROAD CAR.
266
00:17:19,939 --> 00:17:22,039
"THE PRESIDENT," HARRY THOUGHT
267
00:17:22,141 --> 00:17:24,775
"APPEARED TO BE
SURPRISINGLY SHORT."
268
00:17:29,849 --> 00:17:31,515
HE JOINED THE NATIONAL GUARD
269
00:17:31,617 --> 00:17:34,185
AND ENJOYED THE COMPANY
OF OTHER YOUNG MEN.
270
00:17:34,287 --> 00:17:37,121
WOMEN, THOUGH,
WERE ANOTHER MATTER.
271
00:17:37,223 --> 00:17:40,891
"I WAS ALWAYS AFRAID OF GIRLS,"
HE ONCE WROTE.
272
00:17:44,030 --> 00:17:45,463
AFTER FOUR YEARS
273
00:17:45,565 --> 00:17:48,232
HARRY WAS DRAWING A GOOD SALARY
AS A BANK CLERK
274
00:17:48,334 --> 00:17:49,700
AND FINDING NEW FRIENDS.
275
00:17:49,802 --> 00:17:51,135
HE WAS 21 YEARS OLD
276
00:17:51,237 --> 00:17:54,171
JUST BEGINNING TO MAKE
A LIFE FOR HIMSELF
277
00:17:54,273 --> 00:17:58,142
WHEN, ONCE AGAIN, HIS FATHER
THWARTED HIS AMBITIONS.
278
00:17:59,846 --> 00:18:03,581
DOWN ON HIS LUCK, JOHN TRUMAN
HAD BEEN FORCED TO SELL
279
00:18:03,683 --> 00:18:05,650
HIS HOUSE, ALL HIS LIVESTOCK
280
00:18:05,752 --> 00:18:09,019
AND HAD EVEN TAKEN A JOB
AS A NIGHT WATCHMAN.
281
00:18:11,024 --> 00:18:13,558
HE SAW HIS CHANCE
TO GET BACK ON HIS FEET
282
00:18:13,660 --> 00:18:17,561
WHEN HIS WIFE'S MOTHER ASKED HIM
TO TAKE OVER THE FAMILY FARM
283
00:18:17,663 --> 00:18:19,630
15 MILES SOUTH OF INDEPENDENCE.
284
00:18:19,732 --> 00:18:24,235
BUT HE KNEW HE COULDN'T RUN
THE HUGE 600-ACRE FARM
285
00:18:24,337 --> 00:18:27,304
WITHOUT THE HELP
OF BOTH HIS SONS.
286
00:18:27,407 --> 00:18:30,908
HE TOLD HARRY TO QUIT HIS JOB
AND COME HOME.
287
00:18:31,010 --> 00:18:35,112
AGAIN, WITHOUT COMPLAINT,
HARRY DID AS HE WAS TOLD.
288
00:18:35,215 --> 00:18:38,249
Babcock:
I DON'T THINK HE WAS
BY NATURE A FARMER.
289
00:18:38,351 --> 00:18:41,919
I THINK HE LIKED PEOPLE BETTER,
SO IT WAS TOUGH ON HIM.
290
00:18:42,021 --> 00:18:44,355
HE DIDN'T WANT
TO DO IT, I'M SURE.
291
00:18:51,130 --> 00:18:55,600
McCullough:
IT WAS HARD WORK...
HARD, HARD WORK...
292
00:18:55,702 --> 00:19:01,071
AND BLISTERING HEAT IN THE
SUMMERTIME IN WESTERN MISSOURI
293
00:19:01,174 --> 00:19:07,811
AND COLD, COLD WINTERS WHERE
THE WHOLE LANDSCAPE TURNED IRON.
294
00:19:07,913 --> 00:19:10,915
AND HE'D NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE,
THIS WAS NEW TO HIM.
295
00:19:11,017 --> 00:19:14,118
HE'D GROWN UP IN TOWN,
HE'D GONE TO WORK IN THE BANK.
296
00:19:14,220 --> 00:19:16,920
HE'D HAD CLERKS' JOBS;
HE LOOKED LIKE A CLERK.
297
00:19:17,022 --> 00:19:18,968
Hamby:
HE REMEMBERED IN LATER YEARS
298
00:19:18,992 --> 00:19:21,892
THE FRIENDS WHO TOLD HIM
HE WOULDN'T LAST SIX MONTHS
299
00:19:21,995 --> 00:19:25,129
AND HE'D BE BACK AT WORK
AT THE BANK.
300
00:19:25,231 --> 00:19:28,132
Narrator:
JOHN TRUMAN WAS
A STERN TASKMASTER.
301
00:19:28,234 --> 00:19:30,968
"IF A CROOKED ROW
OR A BLANK SPACE SHOWED
302
00:19:31,070 --> 00:19:34,004
IN THE CORNFIELD OR WHEAT,"
HARRY REMEMBERED
303
00:19:34,106 --> 00:19:36,540
"I'D HEAR ABOUT IT FOR A YEAR."
304
00:19:36,642 --> 00:19:39,143
Hamby:
HE'S WORKING FOR HIS FATHER
305
00:19:39,245 --> 00:19:43,247
AND WORKING FOR JOHN TRUMAN
WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN EASY.
306
00:19:43,349 --> 00:19:46,484
BUT HE WAS DETERMINED
TO PROVE HE COULD DO IT.
307
00:19:46,586 --> 00:19:48,819
I THINK HE WAS
STILL DISSATISFIED
308
00:19:48,921 --> 00:19:51,422
WITH HIS RELATIONSHIP
WITH HIS FATHER
309
00:19:51,524 --> 00:19:53,023
AND THOUGHT THAT MAYBE
310
00:19:53,125 --> 00:19:56,126
THIS WAS HIS LAST OPPORTUNITY
TO REPAIR IT.
311
00:19:56,228 --> 00:20:01,365
Narrator:
FOR NEARLY EIGHT YEARS, HARRY
WORKED AT HIS FATHER'S SIDE.
312
00:20:01,468 --> 00:20:04,435
"WE WERE REAL PARTNERS,"
HARRY REMEMBERED.
313
00:20:04,537 --> 00:20:06,804
"HE THOUGHT I WAS ABOUT RIGHT.
314
00:20:06,906 --> 00:20:08,939
I KNEW HE WAS."
315
00:20:20,286 --> 00:20:23,354
"DEAR BESSIE, I'VE BEEN
SOWING OATS ALL WEEK
316
00:20:23,456 --> 00:20:26,457
"AND HAULED ABOUT
SIX TONS OF HAY YESTERDAY.
317
00:20:26,559 --> 00:20:29,360
"YOU KNOW, THE WIND BLEW
SOMETHING FIERCE
318
00:20:29,462 --> 00:20:31,262
"LAST TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY
319
00:20:31,364 --> 00:20:33,664
"AND THE SUN
ALSO HAD SOME EFFECT.
320
00:20:33,766 --> 00:20:37,134
BETWEEN THEM,
I LOOK LIKE RAW BEEF."
321
00:20:39,505 --> 00:20:42,073
TO ESCAPE THE DRUDGERY
OF HIS DAILY LIFE
322
00:20:42,175 --> 00:20:43,808
HARRY STOLE TIME TO WRITE
323
00:20:43,910 --> 00:20:47,378
A YOUNG WOMAN FROM
HIS HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATING CLASS
324
00:20:47,480 --> 00:20:49,280
ELIZABETH WALLACE... "BESS."
325
00:20:49,382 --> 00:20:51,182
Woman:
THE STORY HE TELLS
326
00:20:51,284 --> 00:20:53,650
THEY WERE
IN SUNDAY SCHOOL TOGETHER
327
00:20:53,752 --> 00:20:55,753
WHEN THEY WERE SIX YEARS OLD.
328
00:20:55,855 --> 00:20:58,756
THERE WAS A YEAR'S DIFFERENCE
IN THEIR AGE
329
00:20:58,858 --> 00:21:02,593
AND HE, FROM THAT MOMENT ON,
HE THOUGHT OF NO ONE ELSE
330
00:21:02,696 --> 00:21:05,896
BUT THAT BLUE-EYED,
GOLDEN-HAIRED LITTLE GIRL.
331
00:21:05,998 --> 00:21:08,733
Narrator:
IT TOOK FIVE YEARS, HARRY SAID
332
00:21:08,834 --> 00:21:12,703
BEFORE HE COULD SUMMON THE
COURAGE EVEN TO TALK TO HER.
333
00:21:12,805 --> 00:21:16,840
HE WOULD REMAIN IN AWE OF BESS
FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE.
334
00:21:18,377 --> 00:21:21,713
BESS WAS POPULAR, OUTGOING
AND A GREAT ATHLETE
335
00:21:21,814 --> 00:21:25,683
A SUPERB TENNIS PLAYER,
THE BEST FEMALE FENCER IN TOWN
336
00:21:25,785 --> 00:21:27,985
AND A TERRIFIC THIRD BASEMAN.
337
00:21:30,223 --> 00:21:34,125
Gentry:
SHE BELONGED TO A SPECIAL FAMILY
IN INDEPENDENCE...
338
00:21:34,227 --> 00:21:37,161
A FAMILY THAT WAS PROMINENT
AND RECOGNIZED.
339
00:21:37,263 --> 00:21:40,397
AND, OF COURSE, HARRY CAME...
WAS FROM A FARM FAMILY.
340
00:21:40,499 --> 00:21:43,245
McCullough:
BESS WALLACE AND
HER FAMILY LIVED
341
00:21:43,269 --> 00:21:46,036
IN ONE OF THE BIGGEST HOUSES
IN INDEPENDENCE.
342
00:21:46,138 --> 00:21:48,572
THEY HAD A SERVANT
TO WAIT ON THE TABLE.
343
00:21:48,675 --> 00:21:51,042
THERE WERE LACE CURTAINS
IN THE WINDOWS
344
00:21:51,144 --> 00:21:53,176
AND BRUSSELS CARPETS
ON THE FLOOR.
345
00:21:53,278 --> 00:21:56,881
AND YOU WALKED UP THOSE STEPS
ONTO THE WALLACE FRONT PORCH
346
00:21:56,982 --> 00:21:58,516
AND YOU RANG THE DOORBELL
347
00:21:58,618 --> 00:22:01,752
AND WHEN YOU CROSSED
THE THRESHOLD INTO THAT HOUSE
348
00:22:01,854 --> 00:22:03,253
IF YOU WERE HARRY TRUMAN
349
00:22:03,356 --> 00:22:05,856
YOU WERE STEPPING
INTO A DIFFERENT WORLD
350
00:22:05,959 --> 00:22:08,425
WHERE PEOPLE DIDN'T WORK
WITH THEIR HANDS;
351
00:22:08,527 --> 00:22:10,661
WHERE, TO ALL
THAT HE KNEW, AT LEAST
352
00:22:10,763 --> 00:22:13,064
THEY HAD NO SUCH THING
AS DEBT OR WORRY
353
00:22:13,166 --> 00:22:16,434
OR CONCERN ABOUT WEATHER
AND INSECTS AND ALL THE...
354
00:22:16,536 --> 00:22:18,435
ALL THE BURDENS OF FARM LIFE.
355
00:22:18,538 --> 00:22:22,473
AND HE COURTED HER
WITH A DETERMINATION
356
00:22:22,575 --> 00:22:27,745
THAT IS VERY EXPRESSIVE
OF THE KIND OF MAN HE WAS.
357
00:22:27,847 --> 00:22:32,783
IT WAS HIS FIRST CAMPAIGN,
AND HE DIDN'T GIVE UP.
358
00:22:32,885 --> 00:22:36,487
Narrator:
HE WROTE HER LETTER
AFTER LETTER, DAY AFTER DAY.
359
00:22:36,589 --> 00:22:39,791
"DEAR BESSIE, I DON'T CARE
WHAT KIND OF PAPER YOU WRITE ON.
360
00:22:39,892 --> 00:22:42,827
"I SHOULD BE JUST AS PLEASED
TO GET A LETTER FROM YOU
361
00:22:42,929 --> 00:22:44,328
ON WRAPPING PAPER..."
362
00:22:44,430 --> 00:22:47,665
"DEAR BESSIE, YOU CERTAINLY DID
WRITE ME ONE FINE LETTER.
363
00:22:47,767 --> 00:22:49,967
"PUT THE EMPHASIS
ON 'FINE' NOT ON 'ONE'
364
00:22:50,069 --> 00:22:51,669
BECAUSE THEY'RE ALL FINE."
365
00:22:51,771 --> 00:22:53,871
"DEAR BESS, I SHALL SURE BE GLAD
366
00:22:53,973 --> 00:22:56,506
"TO GO TO SALISBURY'S
FOR DINNER SUNDAY
367
00:22:56,608 --> 00:23:00,144
BUT DON'T THINK I'M A TERRIBLE
TIGHTWAD IF WE WALK."
368
00:23:01,981 --> 00:23:06,383
HARRY WAS IN LOVE,
BUT BESS HELD HERSELF ALOOF.
369
00:23:06,485 --> 00:23:10,154
Gentry:
SHE HAD LOTS OF BEAUX
370
00:23:10,256 --> 00:23:12,690
AND HER MOTHER ALWAYS THOUGHT...
371
00:23:12,792 --> 00:23:14,559
SO I'M TOLD...
372
00:23:14,661 --> 00:23:18,629
THAT BESS COULD DO BETTER
THAN HARRY, A FARM BOY.
373
00:23:18,731 --> 00:23:22,300
I ONCE ASKED MAY WALLACE,
HARRY TRUMAN'S SISTER-IN-LAW
374
00:23:22,401 --> 00:23:24,635
IF IT WAS TRUE
THAT MRS. WALLACE...
375
00:23:24,737 --> 00:23:26,970
HER MOTHER-IN-LAW,
MADGE WALLACE...
376
00:23:27,073 --> 00:23:30,340
DIDN'T THINK THAT
HARRY WAS GOOD ENOUGH FOR BESS.
377
00:23:30,442 --> 00:23:32,810
AND SHE SAID,
"OH, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.
378
00:23:32,912 --> 00:23:36,213
"SHE DIDN'T THINK
HARRY WAS GOOD ENOUGH FOR BESS.
379
00:23:36,315 --> 00:23:39,983
BUT SHE DIDN'T THINK ANYONE
WAS GOOD ENOUGH FOR BESS."
380
00:23:40,086 --> 00:23:44,522
Narrator:
MADGE WALLACE WOULD NEVER THINK
HARRY WAS GOOD ENOUGH.
381
00:23:44,624 --> 00:23:47,992
ONCE A BEAUTIFUL GIRL
FROM A MUCH-ADMIRED FAMILY
382
00:23:48,094 --> 00:23:50,894
SHE HAD BECOME A RECLUSIVE,
TROUBLED WOMAN
383
00:23:50,997 --> 00:23:54,364
GROWN MORE AND MORE DEPENDENT
ON HER ONLY DAUGHTER
384
00:23:54,467 --> 00:23:57,468
EVER SINCE THE TRAGIC DEATH
OF HER HUSBAND.
385
00:24:02,642 --> 00:24:08,245
Hamby:
PRECISELY WHY DAVID WALLACE
GOT UP VERY EARLY ONE MORNING
386
00:24:08,348 --> 00:24:11,148
CLIMBED INTO THE FAMILY BATHTUB
387
00:24:11,250 --> 00:24:15,185
PUT A GUN TO HIS HEAD
AND PULLED THE TRIGGER
388
00:24:15,288 --> 00:24:17,254
WE DON'T REALLY KNOW.
389
00:24:21,527 --> 00:24:24,829
SOME ACCOUNTS HAVE IT
HE WAS DEPRESSED
390
00:24:24,931 --> 00:24:27,597
BECAUSE HE WAS HEAVILY IN DEBT
391
00:24:27,699 --> 00:24:30,568
BUT WHY WOULD
SUCH A FINE MAN DO THIS?
392
00:24:30,670 --> 00:24:35,339
McCullough:
BESS'S FATHER WAS AN EXTREMELY
POPULAR, CHARMING MAN
393
00:24:35,441 --> 00:24:39,677
WHO OFTEN RODE THE HORSE
AT THE HEAD OF POLITICAL PARADES
394
00:24:39,779 --> 00:24:41,478
BUT HE WAS AN ALCOHOLIC
395
00:24:41,580 --> 00:24:44,381
AND LIKE THE CHARACTER
IN THE POEM, RICHARD COREY
396
00:24:44,483 --> 00:24:47,651
HE WENT HOME ONE NIGHT AND PUT
A BULLET THROUGH HIS HEAD.
397
00:24:47,754 --> 00:24:52,890
AND HIS WIFE, BESS'S MOTHER,
CAME APART.
398
00:24:52,992 --> 00:24:57,228
SHE NEVER WAS ABLE
TO COPE AGAIN.
399
00:24:57,330 --> 00:25:01,799
Narrator:
HER HUSBAND'S SUICIDE
SCANDALIZED THE SMALL TOWN.
400
00:25:01,901 --> 00:25:06,437
"MADGE WALLACE BECAME," SOMEONE
SAID, "A PRISONER OF SHAME."
401
00:25:06,538 --> 00:25:11,942
Hamby:
IT CAST A PALL
OVER THE REST OF HER LIFE.
402
00:25:12,045 --> 00:25:14,444
MRS. WALLACE GAVE BESS
THE IMPRESSION
403
00:25:14,546 --> 00:25:17,448
THAT IT WAS BESS'S DUTY
TO TAKE CARE OF HER.
404
00:25:17,550 --> 00:25:22,887
HER MOTHER BECAME
VERY RELIANT ON HER.
405
00:25:22,989 --> 00:25:24,829
Narrator:
BESS WAS JUST 18.
406
00:25:24,924 --> 00:25:26,690
A NEIGHBOR REMEMBERED HOW
407
00:25:26,793 --> 00:25:30,761
IN THE HOURS IMMEDIATELY
FOLLOWING HER FATHER'S SUICIDE
408
00:25:30,863 --> 00:25:33,931
BESS WAS WALKING UP AND DOWN
IN BACK OF THE HOUSE
409
00:25:34,033 --> 00:25:35,967
WITH CLENCHED FISTS.
410
00:25:47,079 --> 00:25:49,679
"DEAR BESSIE,
I CERTAINLY ENJOYED MYSELF
411
00:25:49,782 --> 00:25:51,314
"THE EVENING I WAS THERE
412
00:25:51,416 --> 00:25:55,085
"AND YOU MAY BE ASSURED
THAT I SHALL REPEAT THE OFFENSE
413
00:25:55,187 --> 00:25:57,855
"AS OFTEN AS I CAN,
OR YOU WILL ALLOW ME.
414
00:25:57,957 --> 00:26:00,423
"THE CAKE AND COFFEE
COULDN'T BE BEAT.
415
00:26:00,525 --> 00:26:03,828
THERE'S NOTHING BETTER
THAN CAKE, BUT MORE CAKE."
416
00:26:05,264 --> 00:26:09,233
BESS WAS 25 WHEN HARRY
FIRST BEGAN TO COURT HER.
417
00:26:09,335 --> 00:26:13,603
SHE WAS A YOUNG WOMAN
ON THE VERGE OF SPINSTERHOOD
418
00:26:13,706 --> 00:26:17,841
THE BONDS FORGED
BY MATERNAL NEED AND FILIAL DUTY
419
00:26:17,943 --> 00:26:21,045
DRAWING EVER MORE TIGHTLY
AROUND HER.
420
00:26:21,146 --> 00:26:23,046
BUT HARRY IDOLIZED HER.
421
00:26:23,148 --> 00:26:26,283
ALL THROUGH ELEMENTARY
AND HIGH SCHOOL
422
00:26:26,385 --> 00:26:29,086
HE HAD SHYLY LOVED HER
FROM AFAR.
423
00:26:29,188 --> 00:26:32,289
EVEN AS A YOUNG MAN
IN KANSAS CITY
424
00:26:32,391 --> 00:26:36,092
HE HAD DREAMED
ALWAYS AND ONLY OF BESS.
425
00:26:38,431 --> 00:26:43,466
NOW HE WAS 26 AND HE HAD
NEVER HAD A GIRLFRIEND.
426
00:26:43,569 --> 00:26:46,289
Hamby:
TRUMAN, FROM THE TIME
HE WAS A KID
427
00:26:46,372 --> 00:26:50,107
HAD ALWAYS BEEN SOMEWHAT UNEASY
WITH THE OPPOSITE SEX.
428
00:26:50,209 --> 00:26:55,379
MAYBE BESS'S DISTANCE
AND HIS IDEALIZATION OF HER
429
00:26:55,481 --> 00:27:01,218
PROVIDED AN EXCUSE FOR NOT
GETTING INVOLVED WITH WOMEN
430
00:27:01,320 --> 00:27:03,753
FOR... FOR A LONG TIME.
431
00:27:03,855 --> 00:27:06,323
HE'S BEEN HOOKED ON THIS WOMAN
432
00:27:06,425 --> 00:27:09,760
EVER SINCE HE MET HER
AT THE AGE OF FIVE.
433
00:27:09,862 --> 00:27:13,463
AND HE HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE
TO GET INTERESTED
434
00:27:13,566 --> 00:27:15,666
IN ANY OTHER WOMEN SINCE.
435
00:27:15,768 --> 00:27:21,104
Narrator:
HARRY SAW BESS WHENEVER
HE COULD, NEARLY EVERY SUNDAY.
436
00:27:21,206 --> 00:27:26,543
THEY ENJOYED CONCERTS, PLAYS AND
CONTINUED TO EXCHANGE LETTERS.
437
00:27:26,645 --> 00:27:29,313
"DEAR BESSIE,
YOU MAY BE VERY, VERY SURE
438
00:27:29,415 --> 00:27:32,048
"THAT YOUR LETTERS
CANNOT POSSIBLY COME
439
00:27:32,151 --> 00:27:34,518
TOO OFTEN
OR TOO REGULAR FOR ME."
440
00:27:34,620 --> 00:27:37,354
"DEAR BESSIE, MY VOICE
IS SOMEWHAT WEARY
441
00:27:37,456 --> 00:27:39,422
"FROM YELLING AT THE HORSES.
442
00:27:39,525 --> 00:27:42,226
"PLEASE WRITE ME
WHEN YOU HAVE THE TIME
443
00:27:42,328 --> 00:27:44,828
AS I ENJOY YOUR LETTERS
VERY MUCH."
444
00:27:49,401 --> 00:27:53,237
FINALLY HARRY DREW UP
HIS COURAGE AND PROPOSED...
445
00:27:53,339 --> 00:27:55,239
IN A LETTER.
446
00:27:55,341 --> 00:27:58,074
"DEAR BESSIE,
YOU MAY NOT HAVE GUESSED IT
447
00:27:58,177 --> 00:28:00,210
"BUT I'VE BEEN CRAZY ABOUT YOU
448
00:28:00,312 --> 00:28:03,380
"EVER SINCE WE WENT
TO SUNDAY SCHOOL TOGETHER.
449
00:28:03,482 --> 00:28:07,951
"BUT I NEVER HAD THE NERVE
TO THINK YOU'D EVEN LOOK AT ME.
450
00:28:08,053 --> 00:28:09,653
"I DON'T THINK SO NOW
451
00:28:09,755 --> 00:28:13,991
"BUT I CAN'T HELP FROM TELLING
YOU WHAT I THINK OF YOU.
452
00:28:14,093 --> 00:28:16,192
"WERE I AN ITALIAN OR A POET
453
00:28:16,294 --> 00:28:20,664
"I WOULD USE ALL THE LUSCIOUS
LANGUAGE OF TWO CONTINENTS.
454
00:28:20,766 --> 00:28:22,065
"I AM NOT EITHER
455
00:28:22,167 --> 00:28:26,103
"BUT ONLY A KIND OF GOOD-
FOR-NOTHING AMERICAN FARMER.
456
00:28:26,205 --> 00:28:30,474
"IF YOU TURN ME DOWN, I'LL NOT
BE THOROUGHLY DISAPPOINTED
457
00:28:30,576 --> 00:28:32,943
"FOR IT'S NO MORE THAN I EXPECT.
458
00:28:33,045 --> 00:28:36,546
"PLEASE WRITE AS SOON
AS YOU FEEL THAT WAY.
459
00:28:36,648 --> 00:28:39,683
"THE SOONER,
THE BETTER PLEASED I AM.
460
00:28:39,785 --> 00:28:42,218
MORE THAN SINCERELY, HARRY."
461
00:28:44,923 --> 00:28:48,825
IT TOOK BESS
THREE WEEKS TO RESPOND.
462
00:28:48,928 --> 00:28:52,496
SHE REFUSED,
AND HARRY WROTE TO THANK HER
463
00:28:52,598 --> 00:28:54,632
FOR NOT RIDICULING HIM.
464
00:28:54,734 --> 00:28:57,334
"YOU KNOW, YOU TURNED
ME DOWN SO EASY
465
00:28:57,436 --> 00:28:59,436
"I AM ALMOST HAPPY ANYWAY.
466
00:28:59,538 --> 00:29:03,407
"I WAS NEVER FOOL ENOUGH
TO THINK THAT A GIRL LIKE YOU
467
00:29:03,509 --> 00:29:06,310
COULD EVER CARE
FOR A FELLOW LIKE ME."
468
00:29:17,823 --> 00:29:19,589
BUT HARRY WOULDN'T GIVE UP.
469
00:29:19,691 --> 00:29:22,526
HE BOUGHT A SECONDHAND
STAFFORD TOURING CAR
470
00:29:22,628 --> 00:29:24,161
TO TAKE BESS COURTING.
471
00:29:29,869 --> 00:29:32,336
WHEN HE LEARNED
THAT SHE LIKE TENNIS
472
00:29:32,437 --> 00:29:36,840
HARRY BUILT HER A GRASS TENNIS
COURT OUT BEHIND THE FARMHOUSE
473
00:29:36,942 --> 00:29:39,610
AND THREW A TENNIS PARTY
IN HER HONOR.
474
00:29:39,712 --> 00:29:41,278
SHE DIDN'T COME.
475
00:29:41,380 --> 00:29:42,846
"I REALLY WORKED ALL SUNDAY
476
00:29:42,948 --> 00:29:45,648
GETTING THAT COURT
READY FOR YOU," HE WROTE HER.
477
00:29:45,751 --> 00:29:48,886
"WE ALSO HAD A SUPPLY
OF WATERMELONS ON HAND.
478
00:29:48,988 --> 00:29:51,321
"BUT YOU CAN MAKE IT
SOME SATURDAY
479
00:29:51,423 --> 00:29:54,858
AND MAMA SAYS YOU MUST
COME TO DINNER NEXT TIME."
480
00:29:54,960 --> 00:29:58,561
McCullough:
PERSISTENCE IS A VERY STRONG
THEME IN HARRY TRUMAN.
481
00:29:58,663 --> 00:30:00,430
HE DOESN'T GIVE UP VERY EASILY.
482
00:30:00,532 --> 00:30:03,066
HE REALLY SET HIS MIND
THAT BESS WAS THE ONE
483
00:30:03,169 --> 00:30:09,072
AND SHE ALWAYS WOULD BE...
NEVER ANY VARIATION IN THAT.
484
00:30:09,175 --> 00:30:10,841
HE JUST KEPT AT IT.
485
00:30:10,943 --> 00:30:13,555
Narrator:
TWO YEARS
AFTER SHE TURNED HIM DOWN
486
00:30:13,579 --> 00:30:15,212
BESS BEGAN TO CHANGE HER MIND.
487
00:30:15,314 --> 00:30:19,182
SHE TOLD HARRY THAT IF SHE EVER
MARRIED ANYONE, IT WOULD BE HIM.
488
00:30:20,719 --> 00:30:24,621
"DEAR BESS, IT DOESN'T SEEM REAL
THAT YOU SHOULD CARE FOR ME.
489
00:30:24,723 --> 00:30:27,858
"I'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT
THAT THE BEST MAN IN THE WORLD
490
00:30:27,960 --> 00:30:30,126
"IS HARDLY GOOD ENOUGH
FOR ANY WOMAN
491
00:30:30,228 --> 00:30:33,830
"BUT WHEN IT COMES TO THE BEST
GIRL IN ALL THE UNIVERSE
492
00:30:33,932 --> 00:30:36,199
"CARING FOR
AN ORDINARY GINK LIKE ME
493
00:30:36,301 --> 00:30:39,335
"WELL, YOU JUST HAVE
TO LET ME GET USED TO IT.
494
00:30:39,437 --> 00:30:43,773
I'M ALL PUFFED UP
AND HILARIOUS AND HAPPY."
495
00:30:48,180 --> 00:30:50,914
BUT BESS WOULD NEVER
MARRY A FARMER.
496
00:30:51,016 --> 00:30:53,183
THE FARM WAS $12,000 IN DEBT
497
00:30:53,285 --> 00:30:56,720
AND HARRY WAS STILL
WORKING FOR HIS FATHER.
498
00:31:04,330 --> 00:31:06,463
THEN IN 1914, JOHN TRUMAN
499
00:31:06,565 --> 00:31:10,033
STRAINING TO REMOVE
A BOULDER FROM A ROAD
500
00:31:10,135 --> 00:31:12,369
SEVERELY INJURED HIMSELF.
501
00:31:14,373 --> 00:31:18,508
X-RAYS REVEALED A TUMOR
BLOCKING HIS INTESTINE.
502
00:31:18,610 --> 00:31:23,347
DOCTORS RECOMMENDED SURGERY
BUT HELD OUT LITTLE HOPE.
503
00:31:23,449 --> 00:31:25,349
THE OPERATION FAILED.
504
00:31:25,451 --> 00:31:29,552
HARRY SAW HIS FATHER
GROW WEAKER AND WEAKER.
505
00:31:31,289 --> 00:31:34,925
NEAR DEATH, THE WIRY,
ONCE-AMBITIOUS MAN
506
00:31:35,027 --> 00:31:37,260
LOOKED BACK ON HIS LIFE.
507
00:31:37,362 --> 00:31:42,066
"I HAVE BEEN," HE TOLD HIS SON,
"A FAILURE."
508
00:31:42,168 --> 00:31:45,903
ON THE EVENING
OF NOVEMBER 2, 1914
509
00:31:46,005 --> 00:31:49,973
HARRY RESTED
AT HIS FATHER'S BEDSIDE.
510
00:31:50,075 --> 00:31:54,544
"I HAD BEEN SITTING WITH HIM,
AND WATCHING A LONG TIME"
511
00:31:54,647 --> 00:31:56,046
TRUMAN SAID LATER.
512
00:31:56,148 --> 00:31:58,715
"WHEN I WOKE UP, HE WAS DEAD."
513
00:32:02,121 --> 00:32:05,055
YEARS LATER,
WHEN A WRITER ASKED TRUMAN
514
00:32:05,157 --> 00:32:07,658
IF HIS FATHER HAD BEEN A FAILURE
515
00:32:07,760 --> 00:32:10,994
HARRY TOLD HIM,
"HOW COULD HE BE A FAILURE
516
00:32:11,096 --> 00:32:15,132
IF HIS SON BECAME
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES?"
517
00:32:20,606 --> 00:32:26,009
Hamby:
THE DEATH OF JOHN TRUMAN
WAS A LIBERATION FOR HARRY.
518
00:32:26,111 --> 00:32:30,113
ONCE HE GETS PAST
THE POINT OF GRIEF AND SHOCK
519
00:32:30,216 --> 00:32:31,715
AT HIS FATHER'S DEATH
520
00:32:31,817 --> 00:32:37,020
HE IS FINALLY FREE TO SET OUT
IN DIRECTIONS OF HIS OWN.
521
00:32:37,122 --> 00:32:38,721
AND HE DECIDES PRETTY QUICKLY
522
00:32:38,824 --> 00:32:42,091
THAT THOSE DIRECTIONS ARE GOING
TO BE AWAY FROM THE FARM.
523
00:32:47,399 --> 00:32:51,501
Narrator:
AFTER HEARING TALES OF EASY
MONEY TO BE MADE IN OKLAHOMA
524
00:32:51,603 --> 00:32:53,103
HARRY HEADED SOUTH.
525
00:32:53,205 --> 00:32:56,640
McCullough:
HE IS GOING TO DO
AS HIS FATHER HAD DONE
526
00:32:56,741 --> 00:32:59,476
ONLY MAKE WHAT
HIS FATHER HAD TRIED WORK.
527
00:32:59,578 --> 00:33:00,618
HIS FATHER GAMBLED.
528
00:33:00,679 --> 00:33:02,545
HIS FATHER GAMBLED AND LOST.
529
00:33:02,647 --> 00:33:04,581
HE WAS GOING TO GAMBLE AND WIN.
530
00:33:04,683 --> 00:33:08,919
Narrator:
HARRY BORROWED SEVERAL THOUSAND
DOLLARS AGAINST HIS LIVESTOCK
531
00:33:09,021 --> 00:33:10,887
AND GAMBLED IT ON A ZINC MINE.
532
00:33:10,990 --> 00:33:14,324
HE DECIDED HE'D GET RICH QUICK
TO CATCH UP WITH BESS
533
00:33:14,426 --> 00:33:16,259
BECAUSE BESS WAS WELL-TO-DO.
534
00:33:16,361 --> 00:33:18,428
Narrator:
"DEAR BESS, OUR FOREMAN SAYS
535
00:33:18,530 --> 00:33:21,064
"WE HAVE A MUCH BETTER MINE
THAN HE EXPECTED.
536
00:33:21,166 --> 00:33:24,802
"WHEN I SEE YOU, I HOPE TO TELL
YOU THAT WE ARE GOING FULL BLAST
537
00:33:24,903 --> 00:33:28,105
AND MAKING ORE SO FAST
IT MAKES OUR HEAD SWIM."
538
00:33:28,207 --> 00:33:33,076
Hamby:
HE SEEMS TO ASSUME THAT THINGS
ARE NOT GOING TO WRONG.
539
00:33:33,178 --> 00:33:38,415
YOU WORK HARD, LADY LUCK WILL BE
ON YOUR SIDE AND YOU'LL MAKE IT.
540
00:33:38,517 --> 00:33:40,851
BUT WHAT HARRY
DOESN'T UNDERSTAND
541
00:33:40,953 --> 00:33:42,919
AND WHAT HE'S NEVER GOOD AT
542
00:33:43,022 --> 00:33:45,755
IS THAT YOU BUY LOW
AND YOU SELL HIGH.
543
00:33:45,857 --> 00:33:49,960
"DEAR BESS, THE MINE
HAS GONE BY THE BOARD.
544
00:33:50,062 --> 00:33:53,063
"I HAVE LOST OUT
ON IT ENTIRELY.
545
00:33:53,165 --> 00:33:54,998
"THERE WAS NEVER ONE OF OUR NAME
546
00:33:55,100 --> 00:33:57,133
"WHO HAD SENSE ENOUGH
TO MAKE MONEY.
547
00:33:57,235 --> 00:33:59,369
"I AM NO EXCEPTION.
548
00:33:59,471 --> 00:34:01,471
"YOU WOULD DO BETTER, PERHAPS
549
00:34:01,573 --> 00:34:03,807
"IF YOU PITCHED ME
INTO THE ASH HEAP
550
00:34:03,909 --> 00:34:06,944
"AND PICK SOMEONE
WITH MORE SENSE AND ABILITY
551
00:34:07,046 --> 00:34:08,879
AND NOT SUCH A SOFT HEAD."
552
00:34:11,316 --> 00:34:14,817
BUT HE SANK ANOTHER 5,000
IN AN OIL WELL COMPANY
553
00:34:14,919 --> 00:34:18,088
AND CONVINCED BESS
TO RISK SOME MONEY, TOO.
554
00:34:18,190 --> 00:34:22,459
"DEAR BESS, PEOPLE SEEM TO THINK
OUR PROJECT HAS SOME MERIT.
555
00:34:22,561 --> 00:34:25,762
"WE GOT $225 YESTERDAY.
556
00:34:25,864 --> 00:34:30,633
HOPE TO SEE YOU SUNDAY AND BE SO
FULL OF OIL THAT I'LL FLOAT."
557
00:34:30,736 --> 00:34:33,403
Hamby:
HE IS ALWAYS OPTIMISTIC.
558
00:34:33,505 --> 00:34:35,705
HE COMES OUT OF
THIS CULTURE THAT SAYS
559
00:34:35,807 --> 00:34:38,007
PEOPLE CAN GET AHEAD
IF THEY WORK HARD
560
00:34:38,110 --> 00:34:41,344
AND THEN IT ALSO SAYS
IF THEY HAVE A LITTLE LUCK, TOO.
561
00:34:41,446 --> 00:34:45,248
Narrator:
HARRY'S COMPANY RAN OUT
OF MONEY AND WENT BUST.
562
00:34:45,350 --> 00:34:47,984
BESS LOST EVERYTHING
SHE HAD INVESTED.
563
00:34:49,788 --> 00:34:53,290
HARRY SOLD HIS STAKE
TO A BETTER-FINANCED OUTFIT.
564
00:34:53,392 --> 00:34:56,559
THE NEW COMPANY KEPT DRILLING...
565
00:34:59,931 --> 00:35:01,931
AND STRUCK IT RICH.
566
00:35:05,837 --> 00:35:09,238
IF HARRY HAD HUNG ON,
DRILLED JUST A LITTLE DEEPER
567
00:35:09,341 --> 00:35:11,641
HE WOULD HAVE BEEN
A MILLIONAIRE.
568
00:35:14,946 --> 00:35:19,583
"DEAR BESS, I SEEM TO HAVE
A GRAND AND ADMIRABLE ABILITY
569
00:35:19,685 --> 00:35:22,752
"FOR CALLING TAILS
WHEN HEADS COME UP.
570
00:35:22,855 --> 00:35:25,322
"MY LUCK SHOULD SURELY CHANGE.
571
00:35:25,424 --> 00:35:27,391
"SOMETIME I SHOULD WIN.
572
00:35:27,493 --> 00:35:29,126
"I HAVE TRIED TO STICK.
573
00:35:29,228 --> 00:35:32,596
"WORKED, REALLY DID,
LIKE THUNDER FOR TEN YEARS
574
00:35:32,698 --> 00:35:34,798
"TO GET THAT OLD FARM IN LINE
575
00:35:34,900 --> 00:35:37,934
"AND I HAVE HAD
A CROP FAILURE EVERY YEAR.
576
00:35:38,037 --> 00:35:41,838
THOUGHT I'D CHANGE MY LUCK...
AND SEE WHERE IT'S GOTTEN ME."
577
00:35:43,074 --> 00:35:45,008
HARRY TRUMAN WAS 33 YEARS OLD
578
00:35:45,110 --> 00:35:47,945
AND HAD FAILED AT EVERYTHING
HE HAD TRIED.
579
00:35:48,046 --> 00:35:51,381
BUT HARRY DIDN'T FEEL
SORRY FOR HIMSELF FOR LONG.
580
00:35:51,483 --> 00:35:54,250
HE CLOSED HIS LETTER
BY ASKING BESS:
581
00:35:54,352 --> 00:35:56,753
"CAN I COME OVER TUESDAY NIGHT?
582
00:35:56,855 --> 00:35:59,889
"JUST REMEMBER
HOW CRAZY I AM ABOUT YOU
583
00:35:59,991 --> 00:36:02,058
AND FORGET ALL THE REST."
584
00:36:12,938 --> 00:36:15,272
WHEN AMERICA WENT TO WAR IN 1917
585
00:36:15,374 --> 00:36:18,475
YOUNG MEN FROM SMALL TOWNS
ALL ACROSS THE NATION
586
00:36:18,577 --> 00:36:21,278
RESPONDED WITH PATRIOTIC FERVOR.
587
00:36:22,681 --> 00:36:24,614
HARRY TRUMAN WAS ONE OF THEM.
588
00:36:26,585 --> 00:36:28,184
THAT SPRING
589
00:36:28,287 --> 00:36:32,222
HARRY LEFT THE FARM IN THE HANDS
OF HIS MOTHER AND SISTER
590
00:36:32,324 --> 00:36:33,690
AND JOINED THE ARMY.
591
00:36:33,792 --> 00:36:36,659
AND AT LONG LAST,
BESS AGREED TO MARRY HIM
592
00:36:36,761 --> 00:36:38,461
BUT NOW, HARRY REFUSED.
593
00:36:38,563 --> 00:36:42,599
"I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE
RIGHT FOR ME," HE TOLD HER
594
00:36:42,701 --> 00:36:46,603
"TO ASK YOU TO TIE YOURSELF
TO A PROSPECTIVE CRIPPLE."
595
00:37:04,522 --> 00:37:07,190
THE GREAT WAR HAD ALREADY
TAKEN THE LIVES
596
00:37:07,292 --> 00:37:10,493
OF AN ENTIRE GENERATION
OF EUROPE'S YOUNG MEN.
597
00:37:18,069 --> 00:37:21,571
ONE MILLION MEN DIED
AT THE SOMME...
598
00:37:23,442 --> 00:37:25,742
NEARLY ANOTHER MILLION MORE
AT VERDUN.
599
00:37:39,858 --> 00:37:42,626
BUT FOR HARRY,
LIKE OTHER RAW RECRUITS
600
00:37:42,728 --> 00:37:45,128
WAR STILL SHIMMERED
WITH ROMANCE.
601
00:37:45,230 --> 00:37:48,831
HE LATER SAID THAT
HE WAS STIRRED BY THE FLAME.
602
00:37:50,168 --> 00:37:53,970
"I FELT THAT I WAS GALAHAD
AFTER THE GRAIL."
603
00:37:54,072 --> 00:37:58,441
McCullough:
THERE WAS NO NEED FOR TRUMAN
TO HAVE EVER GONE TO WAR.
604
00:37:58,543 --> 00:38:00,810
HE WAS TECHNICALLY BLIND
IN ONE EYE.
605
00:38:00,912 --> 00:38:02,211
HIS EYESIGHT WAS SO BAD
606
00:38:02,313 --> 00:38:04,433
THAT HE COULD NEVER
HAVE GOTTEN IN AT ALL
607
00:38:04,516 --> 00:38:07,083
BUT FOR THE FACT THAT
HE MEMORIZED THE EYE CHART
608
00:38:07,186 --> 00:38:08,885
IN ADVANCE OF THE EXAMINATION.
609
00:38:10,622 --> 00:38:12,322
BUT HE WANTED TO GO.
610
00:38:12,424 --> 00:38:14,524
HE WAS DETERMINED TO GO.
611
00:38:15,694 --> 00:38:18,061
Narrator:
HARRY HAD NEVER BEEN TO COLLEGE
612
00:38:18,163 --> 00:38:20,108
NEVER BEEN IN A FIGHT
IN HIS LIFE
613
00:38:20,132 --> 00:38:23,233
BUT HE EARNED THE RANK
OF CAPTAIN, WAS SENT TO FRANCE
614
00:38:23,335 --> 00:38:25,902
AND GIVEN COMMAND
OF FOUR RAPID-FIRE GUNS...
615
00:38:27,872 --> 00:38:29,972
AND 194 MEN.
616
00:38:32,277 --> 00:38:34,511
ON THE MORNING OF JULY 11, 1918
617
00:38:34,613 --> 00:38:37,413
CAPTAIN HARRY TRUMAN
INTRODUCED HIMSELF
618
00:38:37,515 --> 00:38:39,549
TO THE NOTORIOUS BATTERY "D"
619
00:38:39,651 --> 00:38:43,186
A ROWDY BUNCH, MOSTLY IRISH
FROM KANSAS CITY
620
00:38:43,288 --> 00:38:46,289
SOME OF THE MOST
INSUBORDINATE SOLDIERS
621
00:38:46,391 --> 00:38:48,558
IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY.
622
00:38:49,895 --> 00:38:54,464
"NEVER," HARRY SAID LATER,
"HAVE I FELT SO NERVOUS."
623
00:38:54,566 --> 00:38:57,667
Man:
WE'D BEEN A PRETTY TOUGH BUNCH.
624
00:38:57,769 --> 00:39:00,704
WE'D GOTTEN RID
OF THREE CAPTAINS.
625
00:39:00,806 --> 00:39:03,806
BUT THE FIRST NIGHT,
HE ADDRESSED THE BATTERY.
626
00:39:03,908 --> 00:39:06,042
HE SAYS, "I DIDN'T
COME OVER HERE
627
00:39:06,144 --> 00:39:08,178
"TO GET ALONG WITH YOU FELLOWS.
628
00:39:08,280 --> 00:39:10,514
YOU'RE GOING TO GET ALONG
WITH ME."
629
00:39:10,615 --> 00:39:14,784
I SAID TO AN IRISHMAN, "WHAT DO
YOU THINK OF THE NEW CAPTAIN?"
630
00:39:14,886 --> 00:39:16,753
HE SAYS, "90 DAYS, 90 DAYS."
631
00:39:16,855 --> 00:39:19,889
Narrator:
"YOU COULD SEE,"
ONE OF THE MEN REMEMBERED
632
00:39:19,991 --> 00:39:21,825
"THAT HE WAS SCARED TO DEATH."
633
00:39:21,926 --> 00:39:25,461
McCullough:
WORLD WAR I WAS THE CRUCIBLE
FOR TRUMAN.
634
00:39:25,563 --> 00:39:28,598
IT WAS THE FORMATIVE EXPERIENCE
OF HIS LIFE.
635
00:39:28,700 --> 00:39:30,800
IT CHANGED EVERYTHING FOR HIM:
636
00:39:30,903 --> 00:39:34,504
CHANGED HIM, CHANGED HIS
UNDERSTANDING OF HIMSELF.
637
00:39:37,242 --> 00:39:42,112
Narrator:
AT THE END OF AUGUST, CAPTAIN
TRUMAN LED HIS MEN INTO BATTLE
638
00:39:42,214 --> 00:39:43,613
FOR THE FIRST TIME.
639
00:39:48,920 --> 00:39:52,622
BATTERY "D" OPENED FIRE
ON A COMPANY OF GERMAN SOLDIERS
640
00:39:52,724 --> 00:39:54,491
ENCAMPED FOUR MILES AWAY.
641
00:39:57,295 --> 00:39:59,696
BEFORE THE GERMANS
COULD RETURN THE FIRE
642
00:39:59,798 --> 00:40:02,698
TRUMAN ORDERED HIS MEN
TO TAKE A NEW POSITION.
643
00:40:04,269 --> 00:40:08,038
BUT THEY COULDN'T MOVE WITHOUT
THE HORSES TO PULL THE CANNONS.
644
00:40:10,141 --> 00:40:12,954
Wooden:
HARRY HAD GIVEN
THE FIRST SERGEANT ORDERS
645
00:40:12,978 --> 00:40:15,245
TO HAVE THE HORSES UP
AT A CERTAIN HOUR
646
00:40:15,347 --> 00:40:18,948
BUT THE FIRST SERGEANT WAS 30
MINUTES LATE GETTING UP THERE.
647
00:40:19,051 --> 00:40:20,929
WE'D HAVE BEEN GONE
IF HE HAD HAVE.
648
00:40:20,953 --> 00:40:23,152
THAT'S WHERE
THE TROUBLE STARTED.
649
00:40:23,254 --> 00:40:27,657
Narrator:
IT WAS DARK AND RAINING
WHEN THE GERMANS OPENED FIRE.
650
00:40:34,399 --> 00:40:38,901
BATTERY "D" WAS TRAPPED,
ITS BIG GUNS MIRED IN THE MUD.
651
00:40:40,138 --> 00:40:42,138
THE MEN PANICKED.
652
00:40:42,240 --> 00:40:44,274
MANY RAN.
653
00:40:44,376 --> 00:40:47,121
McCullough:
AND TRUMAN IS CAUGHT
IN THE MIDDLE
654
00:40:47,145 --> 00:40:49,111
AND HE SEES EVERYBODY TAKING OFF
655
00:40:49,213 --> 00:40:52,582
AND HE STANDS THERE AND HE CALLS
THEM EVERY NAME HE CAN THINK OF
656
00:40:52,684 --> 00:40:54,184
AND HE KNEW A LOT OF NAMES.
657
00:40:56,221 --> 00:40:59,556
Narrator:
"YOU NO-GOOD IRISH
SONS OF BITCHES," HE HOLLERED
658
00:40:59,658 --> 00:41:02,825
AND ORDERED HIS SOLDIERS
TO REGROUP.
659
00:41:02,928 --> 00:41:07,063
THE MEN, STUNNED BY HIS RAGE,
INSPIRED BY HIS COURAGE
660
00:41:07,165 --> 00:41:08,898
DID AS THEY WERE TOLD.
661
00:41:09,001 --> 00:41:11,233
THROUGH THE DARK AND RAIN
662
00:41:11,335 --> 00:41:13,502
TRUMAN MARCHED THEM
OUT OF DANGER.
663
00:41:26,018 --> 00:41:30,687
"DEAR BESS, THE MEN THINK
I AM NOT MUCH AFRAID OF SHELLS
664
00:41:30,789 --> 00:41:34,624
BUT THEY DON'T KNOW
I WAS TOO SCARED TO RUN."
665
00:41:34,726 --> 00:41:38,962
BATTERY "D" HAD ESCAPED
WITHOUT A SINGLE CASUALTY.
666
00:41:39,064 --> 00:41:42,965
McCullough:
AND THEY THEREAFTER
SAW HIM DIFFERENTLY
667
00:41:43,067 --> 00:41:45,535
BECAUSE HE HAD STOOD HIS GROUND
668
00:41:45,637 --> 00:41:48,737
AND AFTER A WHILE,
THEY BEGAN TO REALIZE
669
00:41:48,840 --> 00:41:51,641
THAT THIS FELLOW
WITH THE EYEGLASSES
670
00:41:51,743 --> 00:41:54,276
AND THE BANK-CLERK LOOK
ABOUT HIM
671
00:41:54,378 --> 00:41:57,013
WAS IN FACT A MAN
OF REAL DETERMINATION.
672
00:41:57,115 --> 00:42:01,884
Narrator:
CAPTAIN HARRY, THE MEN DECIDED,
WAS GOOD LUCK.
673
00:42:01,986 --> 00:42:05,488
"WE HAVE A CAPTAIN,"
ONE SOLDIER WROTE HIS FATHER
674
00:42:05,590 --> 00:42:07,557
"WHO CANNOT BE BEAT."
675
00:42:07,659 --> 00:42:12,995
McCullough:
HE WAS ABOUT AS UNHEROIC IN
HIS EYEGLASSES AS ONE COULD BE.
676
00:42:13,097 --> 00:42:18,134
BUT THERE IS A PHOTOGRAPH OF HIM
THAT IS ON HIS I.D. CARD
677
00:42:18,236 --> 00:42:20,603
AND HE HAS HIS GLASSES OFF
678
00:42:20,705 --> 00:42:25,808
AND YOU LOOK AT THAT PHOTOGRAPH
AND YOU SEE THE STRENGTH
679
00:42:25,910 --> 00:42:29,345
YOU SEE WHAT
A RUGGED CHARACTER HE IS.
680
00:42:29,447 --> 00:42:30,680
HARRY VAUGHAN ONCE SAID
681
00:42:30,782 --> 00:42:33,182
THAT IF YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND
HARRY TRUMAN
682
00:42:33,284 --> 00:42:34,484
YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND
683
00:42:34,586 --> 00:42:36,987
THAT HE'S ONE TOUGH
SON OF A BITCH OF A MAN
684
00:42:37,088 --> 00:42:41,324
AND IF YOU LOOK AT THAT PICTURE,
YOU CAN SEE THE IRON.
685
00:42:41,426 --> 00:42:46,395
YOU CAN SEE WHAT HIS MEN MUST
HAVE RECOGNIZED AND UNDERSTOOD.
686
00:42:50,468 --> 00:42:53,903
Narrator:
AT NIGHT, HARRY WOULD SIT
AND STARE AT A PHOTOGRAPH
687
00:42:54,005 --> 00:42:55,838
HE'D BROUGHT WITH HIM TO EUROPE.
688
00:42:59,277 --> 00:43:02,979
"DEAR BESS, I HAVE TWO
BREAST POCKETS IN MY BLOUSE.
689
00:43:03,081 --> 00:43:04,814
"NATURALLY YOU CAN GUESS
690
00:43:04,916 --> 00:43:07,951
"WHOSE PICTURE STAYS
IN THE LEFT-HAND ONE.
691
00:43:08,053 --> 00:43:10,920
"IT HAS NEVER LEFT ME,
NOR WILL IT EVER.
692
00:43:11,022 --> 00:43:13,656
"I HAVE LOOKED AT IT
MANY, MANY TIMES
693
00:43:13,758 --> 00:43:16,893
"AND IMAGINED THAT YOU WERE
THERE IN SPIRIT
694
00:43:16,995 --> 00:43:19,929
"AS I KNEW YOU WERE,
AND IT HELPED A LOT.
695
00:43:20,031 --> 00:43:22,765
"I HOPE YOU HAVE
A MOST HAPPY BIRTHDAY
696
00:43:22,867 --> 00:43:26,569
"AND THAT YOU WILL NEVER SEE
ANOTHER ONE WITHOUT ME
697
00:43:26,671 --> 00:43:28,171
"TO HELP CELEBRATE
698
00:43:28,273 --> 00:43:31,106
AND THEN, MAY THEY GO ON
WITHOUT END."
699
00:43:37,582 --> 00:43:40,817
BY NOVEMBER, THE WAR
TO END ALL WARS WAS OVER.
700
00:43:40,919 --> 00:43:43,986
CAPTAIN TRUMAN AND THE BOYS
FROM BATTERY "D"
701
00:43:44,088 --> 00:43:48,391
HAD SEEN SOME OF THE BLOODIEST
FIGHTING IN AMERICAN HISTORY.
702
00:43:48,493 --> 00:43:50,994
"DEAR BESS, YOU KNOW
I HAVE SUCCEEDED IN DOING
703
00:43:51,096 --> 00:43:53,096
"WHAT WAS MY GREATEST
AMBITION TO DO
704
00:43:53,130 --> 00:43:55,098
"AT THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR...
705
00:43:55,199 --> 00:43:59,001
"THAT IS TO TAKE A BATTERY
THROUGH AND NOT LOSE A MAN.
706
00:43:59,103 --> 00:44:02,005
"WE FIRED SOME 10,000 ROUNDS
AT HEINIE
707
00:44:02,107 --> 00:44:04,940
"AND WERE SHELLED OURSELVES
TIME AND AGAIN
708
00:44:05,043 --> 00:44:07,977
BUT NEVER DID THE HUNS
SCORE A HIT ON ME."
709
00:44:08,080 --> 00:44:11,847
Hamby:
TRUMAN'S WARTIME SERVICE
WAS AWFULLY IMPORTANT TO HIM
710
00:44:11,949 --> 00:44:15,651
BECAUSE IT WAS THE GREATEST
SUCCESS HE HAD HAD IN HIS LIFE
711
00:44:15,753 --> 00:44:17,486
UP TILL THAT POINT.
712
00:44:17,588 --> 00:44:20,623
HE COMES OUT OF IT HAVING
ESTABLISHED HIMSELF AS A LEADER
713
00:44:20,726 --> 00:44:23,259
SOMETHING HE NEVER COULD HAVE
SAID ABOUT HIMSELF
714
00:44:23,361 --> 00:44:25,281
AT ANY POINT EARLIER
IN HIS LIFE.
715
00:44:29,667 --> 00:44:32,902
Narrator:
IN JANUARY 1919, HARRY WATCHED
716
00:44:33,004 --> 00:44:36,605
AS PRESIDENT WOODROW WILSON
ARRIVED IN PARIS
717
00:44:36,708 --> 00:44:38,875
TO A TUMULTUOUS RECEPTION.
718
00:44:38,977 --> 00:44:43,979
WORLD LEADERS WERE GATHERING
TO ENSURE A LASTING PEACE.
719
00:44:44,082 --> 00:44:45,280
EMPIRES HAD FALLEN.
720
00:44:45,383 --> 00:44:48,217
THE MAP OF EUROPE WAS
ABOUT TO BE REDRAWN
721
00:44:48,319 --> 00:44:52,155
BUT HARRY TRUMAN SIMPLY WANTED
TO GO BACK TO MISSOURI.
722
00:44:55,493 --> 00:44:56,959
"FOR MY PART," HE WROTE
723
00:44:57,061 --> 00:45:00,663
"I DON'T GIVE A WHOOP WHETHER
THERE'S A LEAGUE OF NATIONS
724
00:45:00,765 --> 00:45:04,266
"OR WHETHER RUSSIA HAS A RED
GOVERNMENT OR A PURPLE ONE
725
00:45:04,368 --> 00:45:07,003
"AND IF THE PRESIDENT
OF THE CZECHOSLOVAKS
726
00:45:07,105 --> 00:45:10,607
"WANTS TO PRY THE THRONE
FROM UNDER THE KING OF BOHEMIA
727
00:45:10,709 --> 00:45:13,909
LET HIM PRY, BUT SEND US HOME."
728
00:45:18,183 --> 00:45:19,916
BUT IT WOULD BE MONTHS
729
00:45:20,018 --> 00:45:24,453
BEFORE THE ARMY WOULD LET HARRY
GO BACK TO MISSOURI.
730
00:45:24,555 --> 00:45:28,157
HE TOURED FRANCE,
SAW THE RIVIERA AND PARIS
731
00:45:28,259 --> 00:45:32,829
THE EIFFEL TOWER, NOTRE DAME...
732
00:45:38,370 --> 00:45:40,670
THE FOLIES-BERGERE.
733
00:45:43,040 --> 00:45:48,044
40 YEARS LATER, HARRY WOULD
REMEMBER IT AS... "DISGUSTING."
734
00:45:49,748 --> 00:45:51,213
AT THE TIME, HE WROTE
735
00:45:51,316 --> 00:45:54,984
THAT IT WAS WHAT YOU'D EXPECT
TO SEE IN KANSAS CITY
736
00:45:55,086 --> 00:45:56,686
ONLY MORE SO.
737
00:46:03,528 --> 00:46:07,630
SEVEN WEEKS AFTER RETURNING
HOME, ON JUNE 28, 1919
738
00:46:07,732 --> 00:46:11,534
A DAY SO HOT THE FLOWERS
IN THE CHAPEL WILTED
739
00:46:11,636 --> 00:46:14,304
HARRY TRUMAN MARRIED
BESS WALLACE
740
00:46:14,405 --> 00:46:18,474
AT TINY TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH
IN INDEPENDENCE.
741
00:46:21,680 --> 00:46:23,479
HARRY WAS 35.
742
00:46:23,581 --> 00:46:28,351
29 YEARS HAD PASSED SINCE HE HAD
FIRST SEEN BESS IN SUNDAY SCHOOL
743
00:46:28,453 --> 00:46:31,020
EIGHT YEARS
SINCE HE FIRST PROPOSED.
744
00:46:31,122 --> 00:46:34,657
HE HAD NEVER DATED
ANOTHER WOMAN.
745
00:46:34,759 --> 00:46:38,161
ONE OF TRUMAN'S MEN
FROM BATTERY "D" WROTE HIM
746
00:46:38,263 --> 00:46:41,931
"I HOPE YOU HAVE THE SAME
SUCCESS IN THIS NEW WAR
747
00:46:42,033 --> 00:46:43,833
AS YOU HAD IN THE OLD."
748
00:46:46,671 --> 00:46:49,005
AFTER A HONEYMOON
ON THE GREAT LAKES
749
00:46:49,107 --> 00:46:53,343
HARRY MOVED ALL HIS BELONGINGS
INTO HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW'S HOUSE.
750
00:46:53,444 --> 00:46:56,913
Hamby:
I THINK IT WAS
VERY IMPORTANT TO BESS
751
00:46:57,015 --> 00:47:02,251
THAT HE WAS WILLING TO LIVE WITH
HER OBLIGATIONS TO MRS. WALLACE
752
00:47:02,353 --> 00:47:05,321
AND, ABSOLUTELY, LIVE
WITH MRS. WALLACE
753
00:47:05,423 --> 00:47:08,958
WHO WAS AN AWFULLY HARD PERSON
TO LIVE WITH.
754
00:47:09,060 --> 00:47:11,427
HARRY SPENT MUCH
OF HIS ADULT LIFE
755
00:47:11,529 --> 00:47:13,962
ALMOST BEING
A PUNCHING BAG FOR HER.
756
00:47:14,064 --> 00:47:16,098
HE NEVER TALKED BACK TO HER.
757
00:47:16,200 --> 00:47:20,770
HE FORCED HIMSELF TO THINK ONLY
THE NICEST THOUGHTS ABOUT HER
758
00:47:20,872 --> 00:47:25,008
AT LEAST AS FAR AS ANYTHING
THAT'S EVER BEEN RECORDED.
759
00:47:25,109 --> 00:47:31,113
Narrator:
ALTHOUGH HIS NEW BRIDE ASSURED
HIM THE SITUATION WAS TEMPORARY
760
00:47:31,215 --> 00:47:35,284
HARRY WOULD LIVE WITH BESS'S
FAMILY FOR THE NEXT 15 YEARS.
761
00:47:56,941 --> 00:48:01,544
IN 1919, AS AMERICA CELEBRATED
THE END OF WORLD WAR I
762
00:48:01,646 --> 00:48:06,516
HARRY TRUMAN WAS JUST ANOTHER
SOLDIER IN SEARCH OF A JOB.
763
00:48:09,687 --> 00:48:12,555
EDDIE JACOBSON,
HARRY'S OLD ARMY BUDDY
764
00:48:12,656 --> 00:48:14,290
WAS OUT OF WORK, TOO.
765
00:48:14,392 --> 00:48:17,860
EDDIE SUGGESTED THEY GO
INTO BUSINESS TOGETHER
766
00:48:17,962 --> 00:48:19,829
IN DOWNTOWN KANSAS CITY.
767
00:48:25,336 --> 00:48:26,635
JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS
768
00:48:26,737 --> 00:48:29,439
THEY OPENED UP A LITTLE
HABERDASHERY ON 12th STREET
769
00:48:29,540 --> 00:48:33,076
SELLING GENTS' FURNISHINGS.
770
00:48:37,715 --> 00:48:41,751
KANSAS CITY HAD GROWN FAMOUS
FOR ITS SOUL-STIRRING JAZZ.
771
00:48:46,191 --> 00:48:49,091
HARRY DIDN'T TAKE MUCH
TO THE MUSIC...
772
00:48:49,193 --> 00:48:51,494
NEVER EVEN LEARNED TO DANCE...
773
00:48:51,596 --> 00:48:55,131
BUT JAZZ MADE
THE DOWNTOWN SWING...
774
00:48:55,233 --> 00:48:57,166
AND THAT WAS GOOD FOR BUSINESS.
775
00:48:59,204 --> 00:49:01,704
EVERYBODY SEEMED TO
HAVE MONEY TO SPEND.
776
00:49:01,806 --> 00:49:06,175
"WE SOLD SHIRTS AT $16,"
EDDIE REMEMBERED.
777
00:49:06,277 --> 00:49:10,279
Woman:
HARRY WAS THE SALESMAN
AND EDDIE WAS THE BUYER.
778
00:49:10,381 --> 00:49:14,150
THEY REALLY UNDERSTOOD
EACH OTHER IN THE BUSINESS.
779
00:49:14,251 --> 00:49:16,084
THERE WERE NO CONFLICTS.
780
00:49:16,186 --> 00:49:18,187
AND THEY WERE GOOD BUDDIES.
781
00:49:18,289 --> 00:49:21,090
THEY PLAYED POKER
EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT
782
00:49:21,192 --> 00:49:24,460
TRUMAN CALLED EDDIE
"YOU BALDHEADED S.O.B."
783
00:49:24,562 --> 00:49:28,364
THEY WERE CUT
FROM THE SAME MIDWESTERN CLOTH
784
00:49:28,466 --> 00:49:33,369
EXCEPT THAT THE RELIGIOUS
BACKGROUND WAS NOT THE SAME.
785
00:49:33,471 --> 00:49:35,771
Narrator:
EDDIE JACOBSON WAS JEWISH
786
00:49:35,874 --> 00:49:38,540
BORN ON NEW YORK CITY'S
LOWER EAST SIDE.
787
00:49:38,642 --> 00:49:41,077
ALTHOUGH HARRY AND EDDIE
WERE FRIENDS
788
00:49:41,179 --> 00:49:44,079
HARRY COULDN'T BRING EDDIE HOME
FOR DINNER.
789
00:49:44,181 --> 00:49:45,715
BESS'S MOTHER OBJECTED.
790
00:49:50,822 --> 00:49:53,522
HARRY AND EDDIE
MADE A GOOD TEAM.
791
00:49:53,624 --> 00:49:58,828
THEY WORKED HARD, FROM 8:00 IN
THE MORNING TO 9:00 AT NIGHT.
792
00:49:58,929 --> 00:50:02,031
BUT THE LITTLE HABERDASHERY
STRUGGLED
793
00:50:02,133 --> 00:50:04,867
AND IN 1922,
AFTER JUST TWO YEARS
794
00:50:04,969 --> 00:50:08,904
CAUGHT IN A POSTWAR RECESSION,
IT WENT UNDER.
795
00:50:13,644 --> 00:50:18,180
HARRY WAS 38 AND DEEP IN DEBT.
796
00:50:18,282 --> 00:50:22,685
"WENT INTO BUSINESS ALL
ENTHUSIASTIC," HE WROTE.
797
00:50:22,786 --> 00:50:26,455
"LOST ALL I HAD
AND ALL I COULD BORROW.
798
00:50:26,558 --> 00:50:29,525
FEELING FAIRLY BLUE."
799
00:50:31,596 --> 00:50:34,262
HARRY WAS FACING FAILURE
ONCE AGAIN
800
00:50:34,365 --> 00:50:37,533
BUT HIS LUCK WAS FINALLY
ABOUT TO CHANGE.
801
00:50:37,635 --> 00:50:41,703
OLD ARMY PAL JIM PENDERGAST
THOUGHT TRUMAN'S WAR RECORD
802
00:50:41,806 --> 00:50:45,641
WOULD MAKE HIM A GOOD CANDIDATE
FOR POLITICAL OFFICE
803
00:50:45,743 --> 00:50:48,377
AND PUT IN A CALL
TO HIS UNCLE TOM.
804
00:50:52,016 --> 00:50:54,250
TOM PENDERGAST WAS A RAWBONED
805
00:50:54,352 --> 00:50:56,852
THICK-NECKED,
SPAT-WEARING IRISHMAN.
806
00:50:56,954 --> 00:51:00,389
CRASS AND COLORFUL,
PENDERGAST WAS A HARD DRINKER
807
00:51:00,491 --> 00:51:02,224
AND A RECKLESS GAMBLER.
808
00:51:03,761 --> 00:51:09,598
IN TIME HE WOULD LOSE, SOME
SAID, $6 MILLION ON THE PONIES.
809
00:51:09,700 --> 00:51:13,368
BUT HE KNEW HOW TO WIN
AT POLITICS.
810
00:51:13,471 --> 00:51:15,470
A TOUGH BACKSTAGE OPERATOR
811
00:51:15,573 --> 00:51:18,940
HE WOULD BUILD A POLITICAL
MACHINE SO STRONG
812
00:51:19,043 --> 00:51:21,877
AND CONTROL IT
WITH SUCH AN IRON GRIP
813
00:51:21,979 --> 00:51:26,548
THAT ONE DAY PUNDITS WOULD CALL
KANSAS CITY "TOM'S TOWN."
814
00:51:29,353 --> 00:51:30,552
PENDERGAST MADE MONEY
815
00:51:30,654 --> 00:51:33,389
SELLING THE COUNTY CONCRETE
AND REAL ESTATE
816
00:51:33,490 --> 00:51:35,124
MONOPOLIZING THE MARKET
817
00:51:35,226 --> 00:51:38,728
AND LINING HIS POCKETS
WITH LUCRATIVE KICKBACKS.
818
00:51:40,097 --> 00:51:42,364
BUT IN KANSAS CITY IN THE '20s
819
00:51:42,467 --> 00:51:44,933
THERE ARE MANY WAYS
TO GET RICH.
820
00:51:49,206 --> 00:51:53,542
GAMBLING, BOOTLEG LIQUOR,
PROSTITUTION, NARCOTICS...
821
00:51:53,644 --> 00:51:56,078
PENDERGAST WAS INTO ALL OF IT.
822
00:51:57,482 --> 00:52:00,916
HE WAS DEEPLY INVOLVED
IN THE KANSAS CITY RACKETS
823
00:52:01,018 --> 00:52:03,919
AND MANIPULATED
JACKSON COUNTY POLITICS.
824
00:52:06,023 --> 00:52:08,958
IN 1922,
WHEN PENDERGAST NEEDED SOMEONE
825
00:52:09,059 --> 00:52:11,527
TO STAND FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER
826
00:52:11,629 --> 00:52:14,530
OR "JUDGE,"
AS THE POSITION WAS CALLED
827
00:52:14,632 --> 00:52:17,600
PENDERGAST CHOSE
WAR HERO HARRY TRUMAN.
828
00:52:17,702 --> 00:52:22,972
HARRY SAW HIS CHANCE AND,
WITHOUT HESITATION, GRABBED IT.
829
00:52:24,609 --> 00:52:27,476
Man:
PENDERGAST TURNED TO TRUMAN
830
00:52:27,579 --> 00:52:30,713
TO SORT OF PERFUME
THE PENDERGAST MACHINE
831
00:52:30,815 --> 00:52:33,716
BY GETTING A PERSON
WHO HAD INTEGRITY
832
00:52:33,818 --> 00:52:40,089
WHO ALSO HAD STRONG SUPPORT
AMONG VETERANS OF WORLD WAR I.
833
00:52:40,191 --> 00:52:44,793
Narrator:
BUT PENDERGAST DID NOT YET
CONTROL ALL OF JACKSON COUNTY.
834
00:52:44,895 --> 00:52:48,497
HARRY WOULD HAVE TO CAMPAIGN
HARD, AND HE WAS GREEN.
835
00:52:48,599 --> 00:52:51,300
HE COUNTED ON PENDERGAST,
HIS WAR RECORD
836
00:52:51,402 --> 00:52:53,536
AND THE BOYS FROM BATTERY "D."
837
00:52:53,638 --> 00:52:56,004
McCullough:
HE WAS PATHETIC AS A SPEAKER.
838
00:52:56,106 --> 00:52:58,374
HE COULD HARDLY EXPRESS
HIMSELF AT ALL
839
00:52:58,476 --> 00:53:00,743
AND HIS PALS FROM THE ARMY
ALL WENT OUT
840
00:53:00,845 --> 00:53:04,613
AND CAMPAIGNED HARD FOR HIM AND
THEY WOULD CHEER AT EVERY RALLY
841
00:53:04,715 --> 00:53:07,349
AND THEY WOULD TRY
AND WHIP UP EXCITEMENT
842
00:53:07,451 --> 00:53:09,551
FOR THEIR BELOVED CAPTAIN HARRY.
843
00:53:09,654 --> 00:53:13,055
AND AT ONE POINT, THEY DECIDED
IT WOULD BE DRAMATIC
844
00:53:13,157 --> 00:53:17,326
IF TRUMAN ARRIVED BY PLANE, SO
THEY GOT A WORLD WAR I BIPLANE
845
00:53:17,428 --> 00:53:20,796
AND ONE OF THE ARMY PALS
FLEW THE PLANE.
846
00:53:20,898 --> 00:53:23,832
TRUMAN CAME SAILING
THROUGH THE AIR
847
00:53:23,934 --> 00:53:26,101
LANDED, CLIMBED OUT OF THE PLANE
848
00:53:26,204 --> 00:53:29,838
STAGGERED ACROSS THE FIELD,
VIOLENTLY ILL, TO A FENCE
849
00:53:29,940 --> 00:53:32,642
WHERE HE THREW UP
IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY.
850
00:53:32,743 --> 00:53:38,480
AND THAT WAS SORT OF HIS FIRST
GREAT ENTRANCE AS A POLITICIAN.
851
00:53:38,582 --> 00:53:40,816
Narrator:
HIS SPEECHES WERE BLUNT
852
00:53:40,918 --> 00:53:44,052
HIS VOICE FLAT, HIS STYLE
COARSE, EVEN CRUDE.
853
00:53:44,154 --> 00:53:48,357
BUT HE LIKED POLITICKING WITH
THE PEOPLE OF JACKSON COUNTY...
854
00:53:48,459 --> 00:53:51,026
THE TALK, THE JOKES,
THE CAMARADERIE.
855
00:53:51,128 --> 00:53:53,295
HE WAS TIRELESS AND ENERGETIC
856
00:53:53,397 --> 00:53:57,466
AND HE WON...
BY JUST 279 VOTES.
857
00:53:57,568 --> 00:54:02,138
HE WOULD BE ELECTED TWO MORE
TIMES IN THE NEXT TEN YEARS.
858
00:54:02,239 --> 00:54:04,807
AFTER YEARS OF DRIFT AND FAILURE
859
00:54:04,909 --> 00:54:08,744
HARRY TRUMAN HAD FINALLY
SETTLED INTO A CAREER.
860
00:54:14,652 --> 00:54:17,285
COUNTY COMMISSIONER
WAS A BIG JOB.
861
00:54:19,623 --> 00:54:26,862
HARRY WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR 700
EMPLOYEES AND $7 MILLION A YEAR.
862
00:54:26,964 --> 00:54:30,098
Man:
HE WAS FAMOUS AT THAT TIME
FOR BEING A BUILDER
863
00:54:30,200 --> 00:54:33,736
AND HE BUILT SOME GREAT HIGHWAYS
IN JACKSON COUNTY.
864
00:54:33,838 --> 00:54:35,918
THAT WAS AT A TIME
WHEN THEY USED TO SAY
865
00:54:36,006 --> 00:54:39,241
"MISSOURI?! STAY OUT OF MISSOURI
AND STAY OUT OF THE MUD."
866
00:54:40,945 --> 00:54:43,846
Narrator:
TRUMAN LOVED THE JOB:
867
00:54:43,948 --> 00:54:45,180
THE POWER...
868
00:54:45,282 --> 00:54:47,182
THE PRESTIGE...
869
00:54:49,053 --> 00:54:50,720
THE CHANCE TO DO GOOD THINGS.
870
00:54:52,689 --> 00:54:55,591
HE WORKED WITH IRISH
AND ITALIAN CATHOLICS
871
00:54:55,693 --> 00:54:57,593
AND BLACK COMMUNITY LEADERS
872
00:54:57,695 --> 00:55:02,097
SLOWLY MOVING AWAY
FROM SMALL-TOWN PREJUDICES.
873
00:55:02,199 --> 00:55:05,767
HE EARNED A REPUTATION
FOR EFFICIENCY, HONESTY
874
00:55:05,869 --> 00:55:08,370
WON THE RESPECT
OF THE NEWSPAPERS
875
00:55:08,472 --> 00:55:12,207
BUT HE COULD NOT WIN
THE PRAISE OF BESS'S MOTHER
876
00:55:12,309 --> 00:55:14,610
WHO DISAPPROVED OF POLITICS.
877
00:55:17,080 --> 00:55:19,081
BUT HARRY NEVER COMPLAINED.
878
00:55:25,189 --> 00:55:30,125
HIS LIFE HAD AT LAST
FOUND DIRECTION.
879
00:55:30,227 --> 00:55:35,597
IN 1924, MARGARET, HIS FIRST
AND ONLY CHILD, WAS BORN.
880
00:55:40,338 --> 00:55:41,770
HARRY WAS NEARLY 40
881
00:55:41,872 --> 00:55:45,707
WITH A DAUGHTER HE ADORED,
A WIFE HE DEARLY LOVED
882
00:55:45,810 --> 00:55:47,610
AND DOZENS OF FRIENDS.
883
00:55:49,113 --> 00:55:52,881
HE JOINED THE ELKS, THE MASONS,
THE AMERICAN LEGION
884
00:55:52,983 --> 00:55:55,684
THE AMERICAN VETERANS
OF FOREIGN WARS
885
00:55:55,787 --> 00:55:58,487
THE INTERNATIONAL
ACQUAINTANCE LEAGUE
886
00:55:58,589 --> 00:56:00,656
AND SPENT EVERY MONDAY NIGHT
887
00:56:00,758 --> 00:56:03,892
IN A BACK ROOM OVER A BANK
PLAYING POKER.
888
00:56:06,330 --> 00:56:07,529
BUT HE WAS TROUBLED.
889
00:56:07,631 --> 00:56:08,930
BROUGHT UP TO HONOR
890
00:56:09,032 --> 00:56:11,733
THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG
891
00:56:11,836 --> 00:56:14,536
HARRY FOUND IT MORE
AND MORE DIFFICULT
892
00:56:14,638 --> 00:56:17,973
TO DEAL WITH THE MAN
TO WHOM HE OWED HIS JOB.
893
00:56:21,646 --> 00:56:25,914
BY 1930, TOM PENDERGAST
DOMINATED KANSAS CITY POLITICS
894
00:56:26,016 --> 00:56:30,786
WHILE HIS INVOLVEMENT IN KANSAS
CITY RACKETEERING HAD BECOME
895
00:56:30,888 --> 00:56:32,354
EVEN MORE UNSAVORY.
896
00:56:32,456 --> 00:56:36,958
THE RUTHLESS GANGSTER
JOHNNY LAZIA WAS HIS LIEUTENANT.
897
00:56:37,061 --> 00:56:42,364
KANSAS CITY BECAME NOTORIOUS FOR
SHOOT-OUTS, ARSON, KIDNAPPINGS.
898
00:56:42,466 --> 00:56:47,102
HARRY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH
MOBSTERS, BUT HE TURNED HIS BACK
899
00:56:47,204 --> 00:56:50,973
WHILE PENDERGAST SKIMMED
MILLIONS IN PUBLIC MONEY.
900
00:56:51,075 --> 00:56:53,575
TORN BETWEEN LOYALTY
TO PENDERGAST
901
00:56:53,677 --> 00:56:55,477
AND HIS OWN SELF-RESPECT
902
00:56:55,579 --> 00:57:00,349
HE BEGAN SUFFERING FROM ACUTE
HEADACHES, DIZZINESS, INSOMNIA.
903
00:57:02,153 --> 00:57:06,055
PENDERGAST DEMANDED
THAT HARRY RIG COUNTY CONTRACTS.
904
00:57:06,156 --> 00:57:09,124
HARRY INSISTED ON FAIR BIDDING.
905
00:57:09,226 --> 00:57:12,327
HIS HONOR, HE SAID,
WAS AT STAKE.
906
00:57:12,429 --> 00:57:17,833
PENDERGAST TOLD HARRY HIS HONOR
WASN'T WORTH A PINCH OF SNUFF.
907
00:57:21,405 --> 00:57:23,405
HARRY'S ANXIETY GREW SO GREAT
908
00:57:23,507 --> 00:57:27,876
THAT HE QUIETLY TOOK A ROOM AT
A HOTEL IN DOWNTOWN KANSAS CITY
909
00:57:27,978 --> 00:57:31,046
AND POURED OUT HIS TROUBLES
ON PAGES HE KEPT
910
00:57:31,148 --> 00:57:33,215
BUT WOULD NEVER SHOW ANYONE.
911
00:57:34,651 --> 00:57:37,386
"AM I JUST A CROOK," HE WROTE
912
00:57:37,488 --> 00:57:41,590
"TO COMPROMISE IN ORDER
TO GET THE JOB DONE?
913
00:57:41,692 --> 00:57:44,025
"I WONDER IF I DID RIGHT.
914
00:57:44,127 --> 00:57:45,827
"I SAVED $3,500,000
915
00:57:45,929 --> 00:57:49,297
"BUT I HAD TO PUT A LOT
OF NO-GOOD SONS OF BITCHES
916
00:57:49,399 --> 00:57:52,434
"ON THE PAYROLL,
AND PAY OTHER SONS OF BITCHES
917
00:57:52,537 --> 00:57:55,504
"MORE MONEY FOR SUPPLIES
THAN THEY WERE WORTH
918
00:57:55,606 --> 00:57:58,373
"IN ORDER TO SATISFY
THE POLITICAL POWERS.
919
00:57:58,475 --> 00:58:01,210
I BELIEVE I DID DO RIGHT."
920
00:58:01,312 --> 00:58:05,214
HARRY REFUSED TO CONDEMN
PENDERGAST HIMSELF.
921
00:58:05,316 --> 00:58:08,216
"HE OWNED A BAWDY HOUSE,
A SALOON
922
00:58:08,318 --> 00:58:11,886
AND GAMBLING ESTABLISHMENT,"
HARRY WROTE
923
00:58:11,989 --> 00:58:13,588
BUT HE'S ALL MAN."
924
00:58:13,690 --> 00:58:18,427
HARRY DID AGREE TO GIVE COUNTY
JOBS TO MACHINE LOYALISTS
925
00:58:18,529 --> 00:58:20,362
RELATIVES AND FRIENDS.
926
00:58:20,464 --> 00:58:25,400
BUT HE RESOLVED NEVER TO TAKE
A BRIBE OR KICKBACK HIMSELF.
927
00:58:25,503 --> 00:58:30,772
McCullough:
TRUMAN ACCEPTED HIS ASSOCIATION
WITH THE PENDERGASTS
928
00:58:30,874 --> 00:58:34,509
AS THE PRICE HE HAD TO PAY
TO BE IN POLITICS
929
00:58:34,612 --> 00:58:36,745
NOT UNLIKE, ONE MIGHT SAY
930
00:58:36,847 --> 00:58:39,781
ACCEPTING LIVING
WITH MADGE WALLACE
931
00:58:39,883 --> 00:58:42,684
AND IN HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW'S HOUSE
932
00:58:42,787 --> 00:58:46,388
AS THE PRICE HE HAD TO PAY
TO MARRY BESS.
933
00:58:54,664 --> 00:58:58,199
Narrator:
IN 1932, WHEN HARRY WENT
WITH PENDERGAST
934
00:58:58,302 --> 00:59:00,669
TO THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION
IN CHICAGO
935
00:59:00,771 --> 00:59:03,571
HE SAW FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT
FOR THE FIRST TIME.
936
00:59:03,673 --> 00:59:05,618
Franklin Roosevelt:
GIVE ME YOUR HELP
937
00:59:05,642 --> 00:59:12,414
IN THIS CRUSADE TO RESTORE
AMERICA TO ITS OWN PEOPLE.
938
00:59:14,184 --> 00:59:17,052
Narrator:
IN ACCEPTING
HIS PARTY'S NOMINATION
939
00:59:17,154 --> 00:59:21,022
THE 51-YEAR-OLD ROOSEVELT
ACHIEVED A LIFELONG AMBITION.
940
00:59:25,229 --> 00:59:31,733
HARRY S. TRUMAN WAS 48,
UNKNOWN OUTSIDE OF MISSOURI.
941
00:59:31,835 --> 00:59:33,635
NOW, FOR THE FIRST TIME
942
00:59:33,737 --> 00:59:36,605
HE BEGAN TO REVEAL
HIS OWN AMBITIONS.
943
00:59:36,707 --> 00:59:38,106
HE LET IT BE KNOWN
944
00:59:38,209 --> 00:59:41,843
THAT HE WANTED TO RUN
FOR GOVERNOR OR CONGRESS
945
00:59:41,945 --> 00:59:44,846
BUT PENDERGAST HAD
OTHER CANDIDATES IN MIND.
946
00:59:44,948 --> 00:59:51,286
THEN IN 1934, WHEN PENDERGAST
WAS LOOKING FOR A NEW SENATOR
947
00:59:51,388 --> 00:59:55,090
SOME OF THE BOSS'S AIDES
RECOMMENDED HARRY.
948
00:59:55,192 --> 00:59:58,126
"DO YOU MEAN TO TELL ME,"
PENDERGAST BELLOWED
949
00:59:58,228 --> 00:59:59,694
"YOU ACTUALLY BELIEVE
950
00:59:59,796 --> 01:00:04,099
THAT HARRY TRUMAN CAN BE ELECTED
TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE?!"
951
01:00:06,604 --> 01:00:09,070
AFTER THREE OTHER MEN
TURNED HIM DOWN
952
01:00:09,172 --> 01:00:11,506
PENDERGAST SETTLED
FOR HARRY TRUMAN
953
01:00:11,609 --> 01:00:14,342
AND BACKED HIM
IN THE MISSOURI PRIMARY.
954
01:00:15,946 --> 01:00:20,048
TRUMAN'S OPPONENTS CALLED
HIM "PENDERGAST'S BELLHOP."
955
01:00:25,322 --> 01:00:28,490
THE ELECTION TURNED
ON KANSAS CITY
956
01:00:28,592 --> 01:00:31,359
WHERE PENDERGAST MADE CERTAIN
957
01:00:31,461 --> 01:00:36,431
THAT TRUMAN GOT ALL BUT 11,000
OF ITS 148,000 VOTES.
958
01:00:36,533 --> 01:00:41,703
PENDERGAST ACTUALLY STUFFED THE
BALLOT BOXES WITH ILLEGAL VOTES
959
01:00:41,805 --> 01:00:44,606
AND PEOPLE
THAT WEREN'T REGISTERED.
960
01:00:44,708 --> 01:00:50,011
Narrator:
THE NEW UNITED STATES SENATOR
FROM MISSOURI WAS 50 YEARS OLD
961
01:00:50,113 --> 01:00:54,583
AND HAD NEVER BEEN TO WASHINGTON
FOR MORE THAN A FEW DAYS.
962
01:00:54,685 --> 01:01:00,655
McCullough:
SO OFF HE GOES TO WASHINGTON AND
TOM PENDERGAST'S PARTING WORDS
963
01:01:00,757 --> 01:01:03,558
TO THE NEW SENATOR
FROM MISSOURI ARE
964
01:01:03,661 --> 01:01:07,162
"KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT
AND ANSWER YOUR MAIL."
965
01:01:07,264 --> 01:01:10,966
AND HE ARRIVES IN WASHINGTON
WITH A SHADOW OVER HIM...
966
01:01:11,068 --> 01:01:14,636
A CLOUD OVER HIM...
AS THE "SENATOR FROM PENDERGAST"
967
01:01:14,738 --> 01:01:18,841
AND THERE ARE CERTAIN SENATORS
WHO WON'T EVEN SPEAK TO HIM
968
01:01:18,943 --> 01:01:22,244
BECAUSE HE HAS SUCH A STIGMA
ATTACHED TO HIM.
969
01:01:24,782 --> 01:01:28,383
Narrator:
HARRY, BESS AND MARGARET SETTLED
INTO THE NATION'S CAPITAL
970
01:01:28,485 --> 01:01:32,087
MOVING INTO AN INEXPENSIVE
FOUR-ROOM APARTMENT.
971
01:01:43,033 --> 01:01:45,566
BUT BESS WASN'T HAPPY THERE.
972
01:01:47,871 --> 01:01:49,904
SHE LASTED JUST FIVE MONTHS
973
01:01:50,007 --> 01:01:52,740
BEFORE SHE RETURNED
TO INDEPENDENCE.
974
01:01:52,842 --> 01:01:55,043
HER MOTHER WANTED HER HOME.
975
01:01:58,015 --> 01:02:01,516
SHE AND MARGARET SHUTTLED
BACK AND FORTH TO WASHINGTON
976
01:02:01,618 --> 01:02:05,587
WHERE THE TRUMANS RENTED ONE
SMALL APARTMENT AFTER ANOTHER.
977
01:02:07,257 --> 01:02:09,891
THROUGHOUT HARRY'S YEARS
IN THE SENATE
978
01:02:09,993 --> 01:02:12,995
BESS SPENT MUCH OF HER TIME
IN INDEPENDENCE
979
01:02:13,096 --> 01:02:16,298
LEAVING SENATOR TRUMAN
HEARTSICK AND LONELY.
980
01:02:18,802 --> 01:02:21,169
"DEAR BESS,
I'VE BEEN WANDERING AROUND
981
01:02:21,271 --> 01:02:23,304
"LIKE A LOST SOUL THIS MORNING.
982
01:02:23,407 --> 01:02:25,473
"IT'S A WRENCH
TO BE WITHOUT YOU.
983
01:02:25,576 --> 01:02:27,376
I NEVER MISSED YOU SO MUCH."
984
01:02:27,478 --> 01:02:30,745
"DEAR BESS, YOUR CARD WAS
A LIFESAVER THIS MORNING.
985
01:02:30,848 --> 01:02:33,948
I NEVER IN MY LIFE SPENT
SUCH A LONESOME NIGHT."
986
01:02:34,050 --> 01:02:36,651
"DEAR BESS, YOUR LETTER CAME
ON THE SECOND MAIL
987
01:02:36,753 --> 01:02:38,320
SO EVERYTHING IS ALL RIGHT."
988
01:02:38,422 --> 01:02:43,157
"DEAR BESS, YOUR LETTER
WAS IN THE FIRST MAIL."
989
01:02:43,259 --> 01:02:45,460
"DEAR BESS, I DO WISH
YOU'D LET ME HEAR..."
990
01:02:45,562 --> 01:02:47,763
"DEAR BESS, DREAMED
ABOUT YOU LAST NIGHT.
991
01:02:47,865 --> 01:02:50,498
"THOUGHT WE WERE GOING
THROUGH A FLOOD TOGETHER.
992
01:02:50,600 --> 01:02:52,445
WE GOT THROUGH
WITHOUT DISASTER."
993
01:02:52,469 --> 01:02:55,904
"DEAR BESS, IT WAS GOOD TO HEAR
YOUR VOICE LAST NIGHT..."
994
01:02:56,006 --> 01:02:58,050
"DEAR BESS,
I WAS SO LONESOME LAST NIGHT.
995
01:02:58,074 --> 01:03:01,176
EVEN IF MY COMBINATION OF WORDS
MAKES YOU SICK SOMETIMES..."
996
01:03:01,278 --> 01:03:03,312
"DEAR BESS, HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
997
01:03:03,413 --> 01:03:05,713
"IF YOUR DRESS DOESN'T FIT YOU
998
01:03:05,815 --> 01:03:08,951
SEND IT BACK
AND WE'LL GET A LARGER ONE."
999
01:03:09,052 --> 01:03:12,054
"DEAR BESS, YOU DON'T KNOW
HOW MUCH I APPRECIATED
1000
01:03:12,156 --> 01:03:14,889
"THE LETTER THAT CAME
IN THE MORNING'S MAIL.
1001
01:03:14,991 --> 01:03:16,825
"I WAS SO DEVILISHLY HOMESICK.
1002
01:03:16,927 --> 01:03:19,828
"I COULD SEE YOU STANDING
OUT THERE IN THE YARD
1003
01:03:19,930 --> 01:03:21,329
"WATCHING ME DRIVE AWAY
1004
01:03:21,431 --> 01:03:24,132
AND I DON'T THINK
YOU KISSED ME GOOD-BYE."
1005
01:03:28,772 --> 01:03:32,941
Narrator:
IT WOULD BE YEARS BEFORE SENATOR
TRUMAN GAINED ENOUGH CONFIDENCE
1006
01:03:33,043 --> 01:03:35,944
TO WORK HIMSELF OUT FROM UNDER
PENDERGAST'S SHADOW.
1007
01:03:36,046 --> 01:03:41,950
HE CE IN, A FRIEND REMEMBERED,
WITH A REAL INFERIORITY COMPLEX.
1008
01:03:42,052 --> 01:03:44,485
"I WAS AS TIMID,"
TRUMAN LATER WROTE
1009
01:03:44,588 --> 01:03:46,387
"AS A COUNTRY BOY ARRIVING
1010
01:03:46,489 --> 01:03:49,057
ON THE CAMPUS
OF A GREAT UNIVERSITY."
1011
01:03:49,159 --> 01:03:52,527
WITH AMERICA CAUGHT IN THE GRIPS
OF THE DEPRESSION
1012
01:03:52,629 --> 01:03:53,895
TRUMAN FELL IN LINE
1013
01:03:53,997 --> 01:03:56,965
WITH FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT'S
NEW DEAL PROGRAMS.
1014
01:03:57,067 --> 01:04:00,402
HE CALLED ROOSEVELT
"THE GREATEST OF THE GREATS."
1015
01:04:00,504 --> 01:04:02,637
BUT ROOSEVELT HIMSELF HAD NO USE
1016
01:04:02,740 --> 01:04:05,139
FOR THE JUNIOR SENATOR
FROM MISSOURI.
1017
01:04:05,242 --> 01:04:09,143
IT TOOK FIVE MONTHS BEFORE
THE WHITE HOUSE SUMMONED TRUMAN
1018
01:04:09,246 --> 01:04:10,812
FOR A 15-MINUTE MEETING.
1019
01:04:10,914 --> 01:04:14,415
AFTER JUST SEVEN MINUTES,
TRUMAN WAS SHOWN THE DOOR.
1020
01:04:14,518 --> 01:04:17,363
McCullough:
ROOSEVELT WOULD HAVE NOTHING
TO DO WITH HIM.
1021
01:04:17,387 --> 01:04:19,754
ROOSEVELT REALLY GAVE HIM
THE BACK OF HIS HAND.
1022
01:04:19,856 --> 01:04:21,423
PEOPLE ON THE WHITE HOUSE STAFF
1023
01:04:21,524 --> 01:04:23,235
GAVE HIM THE BACK
OF THEIR HANDS.
1024
01:04:23,259 --> 01:04:24,726
HE COULDN'T GET APPOINTMENTS.
1025
01:04:24,828 --> 01:04:28,129
HE WASN'T SOMEBODY
THAT THEY TOOK VERY SERIOUSLY.
1026
01:04:28,231 --> 01:04:30,977
Narrator:
TRUMAN SAT FOR MONTHS
IN THE SENATE CHAMBER
1027
01:04:31,001 --> 01:04:32,601
WITHOUT MAKING A SINGLE SPEECH.
1028
01:04:32,703 --> 01:04:36,004
HE WAS KNOWN
AS "GO ALONG, GET ALONG HARRY."
1029
01:04:36,106 --> 01:04:39,274
McCullough:
HE HAS TO PROVE
TO THE PEOPLE IN THE SENATE
1030
01:04:39,376 --> 01:04:41,576
THAT HE'S SOMEBODY
TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY
1031
01:04:41,678 --> 01:04:43,878
THAT HE'S A HARD WORKER
AND THAT HE'S HONEST
1032
01:04:43,980 --> 01:04:45,940
AND THAT HE'S GOING
TO DO THE JOB.
1033
01:04:49,285 --> 01:04:51,820
AND HE GAVE IT
EVERYTHING HE HAD.
1034
01:04:56,926 --> 01:05:00,929
HE WOULD WORK LONGER DAYS,
HARDER DAYS THAN ANYBODY.
1035
01:05:01,031 --> 01:05:04,199
HE WAS IN THERE
BEFORE ANYBODY SHOWED UP.
1036
01:05:04,301 --> 01:05:06,200
HE WAS ASSIGNED TO COMMITTEES
1037
01:05:06,302 --> 01:05:09,104
AND HE WOULD SHOW UP
WHEN NOBODY ELSE WOULD SHOW UP
1038
01:05:09,206 --> 01:05:12,507
FOR DREARY COMMITTEE SESSIONS
AND DREARY COMMITTEE HEARINGS
1039
01:05:12,609 --> 01:05:16,077
VERY OFTEN THE ONLY ONE THERE
LISTENING TO HOURS AND HOURS
1040
01:05:16,179 --> 01:05:18,580
OF DEADLY TESTIMONY
ABOUT DEADLY SUBJECTS
1041
01:05:18,682 --> 01:05:20,515
BUT HE WAS GOING TO DO THE JOB.
1042
01:05:20,617 --> 01:05:22,683
HE WAS GOING TO LEARN
THE BUSINESS.
1043
01:05:22,785 --> 01:05:23,985
AND, AS TIME WENT BY
1044
01:05:24,087 --> 01:05:26,554
IN A MATTER
OF ABOUT THREE OR FOUR YEARS
1045
01:05:26,656 --> 01:05:27,956
THEY BEGAN TO REALIZE
1046
01:05:28,058 --> 01:05:31,025
WHAT KIND OF A FELLOW
THEY HAD ON THEIR HANDS.
1047
01:05:33,464 --> 01:05:37,165
Narrator:
SLOWLY, TRUMAN BEGAN
TO PROVE HIMSELF.
1048
01:05:37,267 --> 01:05:40,402
BUT EVEN AS HE BECAME
MORE AND MORE INDEPENDENT
1049
01:05:40,504 --> 01:05:42,871
HE REMAINED LOYAL
TO TOM PENDERGAST.
1050
01:05:42,973 --> 01:05:47,041
HE KEPT A FRAMED PORTRAIT OF
THE MISSOURI BOSS IN HIS OFFICE
1051
01:05:47,143 --> 01:05:49,777
EVEN THOUGH
PENDERGAST WAS IN TROUBLE.
1052
01:05:53,249 --> 01:05:55,283
PENDERGAST WAS SERIOUSLY ILL...
1053
01:05:55,385 --> 01:05:59,554
HIS GAMBLING OUT OF CONTROL,
HIS DEBTS IN THE MILLIONS.
1054
01:06:01,858 --> 01:06:06,594
IN 1939, A GRAND JURY
INDICTED HIM FOR TAX EVASION.
1055
01:06:06,696 --> 01:06:11,432
CONVICTED, HE WAS SENTENCED
TO PSON FOR 15 MONTHS
1056
01:06:11,534 --> 01:06:15,036
AND BANNED FROM POLITICS
FOR FIVE YEARS.
1057
01:06:16,273 --> 01:06:18,440
THE SCANDAL TAINTED TRUMAN
1058
01:06:18,542 --> 01:06:22,077
AND IT COULDN'T HAVE COME
AT A WORSE TIME;
1059
01:06:22,179 --> 01:06:25,213
IN 1940,
HE WAS UP FOR REELECTION.
1060
01:06:29,653 --> 01:06:31,586
HIS OPPONENTS DERIDED HIM
1061
01:06:31,688 --> 01:06:35,656
AS A FRAUDULENT SENATOR
ELECTED BY GHOST VOTES...
1062
01:06:37,327 --> 01:06:39,460
A PENDERGAST LACKEY.
1063
01:06:41,131 --> 01:06:43,431
TRUMAN TRIED TO CONVINCE VOTERS
1064
01:06:43,533 --> 01:06:46,301
THAT PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
SUPPORTED HIM
1065
01:06:46,402 --> 01:06:48,303
BUT ROOSEVELT NEVER DID.
1066
01:06:48,405 --> 01:06:52,373
McCullough:
ROOSEVELT WANTED TO DISTANCE
HIMSELF FROM HARRY TRUMAN.
1067
01:06:52,475 --> 01:06:54,108
ROOSEVELT CONSIDERED TRUMAN
1068
01:06:54,210 --> 01:06:56,745
AN EMBARRASSMENT
TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
1069
01:06:56,847 --> 01:07:00,081
Narrator:
WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF
THE PRESIDENT, OR PENDERGAST
1070
01:07:00,183 --> 01:07:01,582
TRUMAN HAD TO GO IT ALONE.
1071
01:07:01,684 --> 01:07:05,620
MOST OBSERVERS DIDN'T
GIVE HIM A CHANCE.
1072
01:07:05,722 --> 01:07:07,789
BUT HE NEVER GAVE UP...
1073
01:07:15,966 --> 01:07:18,699
AND EKED OUT A NARROW VICTORY.
1074
01:07:20,937 --> 01:07:23,804
HE WON BY JUST 8,000 VOTES.
1075
01:07:25,042 --> 01:07:28,009
TRUMAN RETURNED
TO THE SENATE HIS OWN MAN
1076
01:07:28,111 --> 01:07:30,512
BUT HE WOULD REMAIN
A BACKBENCHER
1077
01:07:30,614 --> 01:07:35,149
UNTIL ONCE AGAIN, A WAR WOULD
REVEAL HIS STRENGTH AS A LEADER
1078
01:07:35,251 --> 01:07:37,986
AND CATAPULT HIM
INTO THE LIMELIGHT.
1079
01:07:51,335 --> 01:07:55,837
Narrator:
1940... NAZI ARMIES
SWEPT ACROSS EUROPE.
1080
01:08:00,210 --> 01:08:03,010
GREAT BRITAIN WAS UNDER ATTACK.
1081
01:08:07,517 --> 01:08:09,985
THE UNITED STATES WASN'T
IN IT YET...
1082
01:08:12,088 --> 01:08:15,156
BUT AMERICA WAS GETTING READY
1083
01:08:15,259 --> 01:08:17,092
BUILDING PLANES...
1084
01:08:17,194 --> 01:08:19,627
MUNITIONS...
1085
01:08:19,729 --> 01:08:22,130
TANKS...
1086
01:08:22,232 --> 01:08:24,699
ARMY CAMPS.
1087
01:08:30,340 --> 01:08:34,475
BACK IN WASHINGTON,
TRUMAN WAS RECEIVING COMPLAINTS
1088
01:08:34,577 --> 01:08:38,012
ABOUT WASTE, MISMANAGEMENT,
AND EVEN FRAUD
1089
01:08:38,114 --> 01:08:41,516
AND ALL BY HIMSELF,
HE DECIDED TO LOOK INTO IT.
1090
01:08:41,618 --> 01:08:44,986
Man:
WITHOUT LETTING ANYBODY IN HIS
PARTY KNOW WHAT HE WAS DOING
1091
01:08:45,088 --> 01:08:47,755
HE DECIDED
TO GO SEE FOR HIMSELF.
1092
01:08:47,857 --> 01:08:50,759
AND HE TOOK
A LONG AUTOMOBILE DRIVE...
1093
01:08:50,860 --> 01:08:55,396
AS I RECALL, HE DROVE A DIRTY
OLD DODGE IN THOSE DAYS...
1094
01:08:55,498 --> 01:08:58,066
AND HE CLIMBED IN HIS DODGE,
DROVE SOUTH.
1095
01:09:03,239 --> 01:09:06,741
HE MUST HAVE HAD A LIST OF
THE CAMPS THAT WERE BEING BUILT
1096
01:09:06,843 --> 01:09:09,777
AND WHEREVER HE WENT,
HE STOPPED AT ONE OF THESE.
1097
01:09:09,879 --> 01:09:12,280
HE WENT IN
AND STARTED ASKING QUESTIONS.
1098
01:09:12,382 --> 01:09:14,449
NOBODY EVER ASKED HIM WHO HE WAS
1099
01:09:14,551 --> 01:09:16,884
OR WHY HE WAS ASKING
THESE QUESTIONS.
1100
01:09:16,986 --> 01:09:18,319
HE'D TALK TO WORKERS.
1101
01:09:18,421 --> 01:09:19,754
HE'D TALK TO FOREMEN.
1102
01:09:19,856 --> 01:09:22,723
Narrator:
TRUMAN WAS APPALLED
BY WHAT HE SAW.
1103
01:09:22,825 --> 01:09:25,293
"THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF MEN,"
HE SAID
1104
01:09:25,395 --> 01:09:29,364
"JUST STANDING AROUND COLLECTING
THEIR PAY, DOING NOTHING."
1105
01:09:29,466 --> 01:09:33,034
Sparks:
HE SAW BIG PILES OF LUMBER
JUST LYING THERE
1106
01:09:33,136 --> 01:09:34,535
NOBODY WAS USING IT;
1107
01:09:34,638 --> 01:09:36,938
TRUCKS STANDING STILL
AND RUSTING.
1108
01:09:37,040 --> 01:09:41,208
Narrator:
CONGRESS HAD AUTHORIZED
MORE THAN $10 BILLION
1109
01:09:41,310 --> 01:09:44,445
FOR DEFENSE CONTRACTS
IN JUST SIX MONTHS.
1110
01:09:44,548 --> 01:09:48,183
FROM HIS OWN
HIGHLY PERSONAL INVESTIGATION
1111
01:09:48,285 --> 01:09:52,220
TRUMAN FEARED
THE MONEY WAS BEING SQUANDERED.
1112
01:09:52,322 --> 01:09:54,622
ON FEBRUARY 10, 1941
1113
01:09:54,724 --> 01:09:58,993
SENATOR TRUMAN PROPOSED
THE FORMATION OF A COMMITTEE
1114
01:09:59,095 --> 01:10:03,331
TO INVESTIGATE THE ENTIRE
NATIONAL DEFENSE PROGRAM.
1115
01:10:03,433 --> 01:10:06,345
Sparks:
THE WHITE HOUSE DIDN'T LIKE
THE IDEA AT ALL.
1116
01:10:06,369 --> 01:10:09,637
THEY DIDN'T WANT ANYBODY POKING
INTO WHAT THEY WERE DOING
1117
01:10:09,739 --> 01:10:11,372
BUT THEY THOUGHT AT THE OUTSET
1118
01:10:11,474 --> 01:10:13,474
THAT THEY COULD
CONTROL HARRY TRUMAN
1119
01:10:13,543 --> 01:10:15,242
THAT HE WOULD DO ABOUT ANYTHING
1120
01:10:15,345 --> 01:10:17,912
THE LEADERSHIP
OF THE SENATE WANTED HIM TO DO.
1121
01:10:18,015 --> 01:10:19,647
THEY FOUND OUT DIFFERENT.
1122
01:10:19,750 --> 01:10:22,650
Narrator:
ON DECEMBER 8,
AMERICA WENT TO WAR.
1123
01:10:22,752 --> 01:10:25,553
TRUMAN WAS ALL AT ONCE
THRUST CENTER STAGE.
1124
01:10:25,655 --> 01:10:27,021
LABELED AS THE LACKEY
1125
01:10:27,124 --> 01:10:30,024
OF ONE OF THE MOST
CORRUPT BOSSES IN AMERICA
1126
01:10:30,126 --> 01:10:32,827
HE WOULD NOW MOVE
TO STAMP OUT CORRUPTION
1127
01:10:32,929 --> 01:10:35,797
IN THE LARGEST WAR MACHINE
EVER ASSEMBLED.
1128
01:10:40,603 --> 01:10:43,738
TRUMAN TOOK ON
THE MOST POWERFUL MEN IN AMERICA
1129
01:10:43,840 --> 01:10:46,574
AND THE COUNTRY'S
LARGEST INDUSTRIES...
1130
01:10:48,044 --> 01:10:53,314
STEEL, ALUMINUM,
RUBBER, AIRPLANES.
1131
01:10:54,818 --> 01:10:57,818
McCullough:
HE HAD A DISTRUST
OF BIG BUSINESS
1132
01:10:57,921 --> 01:10:59,654
A DISTRUST OF WALL STREET
1133
01:10:59,756 --> 01:11:04,292
AND HE WENT AFTER THE PEOPLE WHO
WERE REALLY SELLING SHODDY GOODS
1134
01:11:04,394 --> 01:11:07,595
OR DOING THINGS
THAT WERE CLEARLY UNPATRIOTIC.
1135
01:11:07,697 --> 01:11:12,066
Sparks:
IN A HEARING, HE SHOWED
ABSOLUTELY NO FEAR.
1136
01:11:12,169 --> 01:11:15,704
HE MADE IT CLEAR
THAT HE MEANT BUSINESS.
1137
01:11:15,806 --> 01:11:18,673
HE WAS NOT AFRAID
TO SAY ANYTHING TO ANYBODY.
1138
01:11:18,775 --> 01:11:20,775
HE WAS FEARED.
1139
01:11:22,846 --> 01:11:26,814
Truman:
THE COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING
THE NATIONAL DEFENSE PROGRAM
1140
01:11:26,917 --> 01:11:32,387
HAS FOUND WASTE, INEFFICIENCY,
MISMANAGEMENT AND PROFITEERING.
1141
01:11:32,489 --> 01:11:36,491
Narrator:
HE QUESTIONED
WITNESSES RELENTLESSLY
1142
01:11:36,592 --> 01:11:41,095
ATTACKING THEM FOR BAD PLANNING,
SLOPPY ADMINISTRATION, GRAFT.
1143
01:11:43,400 --> 01:11:45,166
HIS REPUTATION SOARED.
1144
01:11:45,268 --> 01:11:50,204
THE COMMTEE BECAME KNOWN
AS THE TRUMAN COMMITTEE.
1145
01:11:52,676 --> 01:11:56,310
HE PERSONALLY SAVED
THE NATION BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
1146
01:11:59,983 --> 01:12:01,749
REPORTERS NAMED HIM
1147
01:12:01,851 --> 01:12:06,286
ONE OF THE TEN MOST VALUABLE MEN
IN WASHINGTON.
1148
01:12:08,024 --> 01:12:11,526
"THE SUDDEN EMERGENCE
OF HARRY TRUMAN IN THE SENATE"
1149
01:12:11,628 --> 01:12:15,396
TIME MAGAZINE WROTE, "IS
A QUEER ACCIDENT OF DEMOCRACY."
1150
01:12:15,499 --> 01:12:19,199
EVEN PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT WANTED
SOME OF THE CREDIT.
1151
01:12:19,301 --> 01:12:21,268
"YES, YES," ROOSEVELT SAID
1152
01:12:21,370 --> 01:12:25,473
"I PUT HIM IN CHARGE OF THAT
WAR-INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE...
1153
01:12:25,575 --> 01:12:27,575
DIDN'T I?"
1154
01:12:28,744 --> 01:12:30,723
Hechler:
HERE WAS ONE OF THE PRODUCTS
1155
01:12:30,747 --> 01:12:33,147
OF ONE OF THE MOST CORRUPT
POLITICAL MACHINES
1156
01:12:33,249 --> 01:12:35,329
IN THE NATION...
THE PENDERGAST MACHINE...
1157
01:12:35,418 --> 01:12:38,219
YET HE WAS ABLE TO RISE ABOVE IT
1158
01:12:38,321 --> 01:12:40,888
AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REMARKABLE
THINGS ABOUT HARRY TRUMAN.
1159
01:12:40,990 --> 01:12:45,826
Narrator:
AT LAST, TRUMAN HAD FOUND
A HOME IN THE SENATE.
1160
01:12:45,929 --> 01:12:49,964
POPULAR, NATIONALLY KNOWN,
HE BECAME AN INSIDER...
1161
01:12:50,066 --> 01:12:55,736
A RESPECTED MEMBER OF ONE OF THE
MOST POWERFUL CLUBS IN AMERICA.
1162
01:12:58,074 --> 01:13:00,441
HIS PRIVATE LIFE, TOO,
HAD SETTLED
1163
01:13:00,543 --> 01:13:02,576
INTO A COMFORTABLE ROUTINE.
1164
01:13:18,895 --> 01:13:22,663
MARGARET TRUMAN, "MISS SKINNY,"
HARRY LIKED TO CALL HER
1165
01:13:24,467 --> 01:13:27,535
AND WAS ALREADY TALKING
HADOF A SINGING CAREER.NS
1166
01:13:36,780 --> 01:13:39,113
HE LOOKED ALWAYS,
HIS DAUGHTER SAID
1167
01:13:39,216 --> 01:13:41,816
AS IF HE HAD JUST STEPPED
FROM A BANDBOX.
1168
01:13:41,918 --> 01:13:44,619
HIS SUITS WERE ALWAYS
CLEANED AND PRESSED;
1169
01:13:44,721 --> 01:13:46,187
HIS STYLE IMMACULATE.
1170
01:13:47,857 --> 01:13:51,125
TO BESS, HE REMAINED
COMPLETELY DEVOTED.
1171
01:13:51,227 --> 01:13:55,029
"DEAR BESS, WELL,
I DOUBT YOU WILL REMEMBER IT
1172
01:13:55,131 --> 01:13:59,434
"BUT TOMORROW IS AN ANNIVERSARY
OF VITAL IMPORTANCE.
1173
01:13:59,536 --> 01:14:02,370
"23 YEARS HAVE BEEN
EXTREMELY SHORT
1174
01:14:02,472 --> 01:14:05,773
"AND FOR ME,
ALTOGETHER MOST HAPPY ONES.
1175
01:14:05,875 --> 01:14:11,145
"A FAILURE AS A FARMER, A MINER,
AN OIL PROMOTER AND A MERCHANT
1176
01:14:11,247 --> 01:14:15,115
"BUT FINALLY HIT THE GROOVE
AS A PUBLIC SERVANT
1177
01:14:15,218 --> 01:14:18,786
AND THAT DUE MOSTLY TO YOU
AND LADY LUCK."
1178
01:14:23,159 --> 01:14:25,560
SENATOR TRUMAN WAS CONTENT
1179
01:14:25,662 --> 01:14:31,032
BUT IN THE SUMMER OF 1943, HE
BEGAN TO HEAR DISTURBING TALK.
1180
01:14:31,134 --> 01:14:35,736
CERTAIN PEOPLE WANTED HIM
TO RUN FOR VICE-PRESIDENT.
1181
01:14:42,511 --> 01:14:47,315
Narrator:
ON JULY 18, 1944, WHEN THE
DEMOCRATS CONVENED IN CHICAGO
1182
01:14:47,417 --> 01:14:50,651
THE RUMORS THAT
HARRY TRUMAN WAS GOING TO BE
1183
01:14:50,753 --> 01:14:54,221
THE NEXT VICE-PRESIDENT
WERE STILL JUST RUMORS.
1184
01:14:54,324 --> 01:14:56,924
HE HAD, IN FACT,
ARRIVED AT TONVENTION
1185
01:14:57,026 --> 01:14:59,060
PREPARED TO NOMINATE
ANOTHER MAN.
1186
01:14:59,161 --> 01:15:01,462
"I DON'T WANT TO BE
VICE-PRESIDENT"
1187
01:15:01,564 --> 01:15:04,332
HE WOULD TELL ANYONE WHO ASKED.
1188
01:15:04,434 --> 01:15:07,668
HE WAS CONVINCED THAT THE
PRESIDENT DID NOT LIKE HIM.
1189
01:15:10,306 --> 01:15:12,439
BUT IN 1944
1190
01:15:12,542 --> 01:15:17,578
THE PRESIDENT WOULD NOT DICTATE
THE CHOICE FOR VICE-PRESIDENT.
1191
01:15:17,681 --> 01:15:21,982
IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS, HARRY
TRUMAN'S FATE WOULD BE DECIDED
1192
01:15:22,085 --> 01:15:26,687
BY A GROUP OF POWERFUL DEMOCRATS
MEETING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.
1193
01:15:26,790 --> 01:15:28,830
McCullough:
THE FUTURE OF THE COUNTRY
1194
01:15:28,924 --> 01:15:30,991
AND HIS OWN
IMMEDIATE FUTURE AND FATE
1195
01:15:31,093 --> 01:15:33,995
ARE ALL IN THE HANDS
OF FORCES BEYOND HIS CONTROL
1196
01:15:34,097 --> 01:15:36,764
AND HE CAN'T BE ANYTHING
BUT A KIND OF A CHIP
1197
01:15:36,866 --> 01:15:40,033
ON THE SURFACE OF THE WATER,
BEING SWEPT ALONG.
1198
01:15:43,006 --> 01:15:45,306
Narrator:
AS THE CONVENTION GOT UNDERWAY
1199
01:15:45,408 --> 01:15:48,275
THE DEMOCRATS PREPARED
TO GIVE THEIR NOMINATION
1200
01:15:48,377 --> 01:15:50,978
FOR THE FOURTH TIME
TO FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT.
1201
01:15:52,582 --> 01:15:57,685
MANY OF THEM ALREADY KNEW
IT WOULD BE THE LAST.
1202
01:15:57,787 --> 01:15:59,420
THE PRESIDENT WAS ILL.
1203
01:15:59,522 --> 01:16:01,689
DIAGNOSED WITH HEART DISEASE
1204
01:16:01,791 --> 01:16:04,625
HE HAD NEVER ASKED,
AND WAS NEVER TOLD
1205
01:16:04,727 --> 01:16:06,593
THE EXTENT OF HIS ILLNESS
1206
01:16:06,696 --> 01:16:09,630
BUT THOSE CLOSE TO HIM
WERE FRIGHTENED
1207
01:16:09,733 --> 01:16:11,499
BY THE DEATHLIKE PALLOR
1208
01:16:11,600 --> 01:16:14,502
THAT SHADOWED
THE ONCE-EBULLIENT FACE.
1209
01:16:14,604 --> 01:16:20,074
Woman:
IT WAS NOT SPOKEN OF, THE
FACT THAT ROOSEVELT MIGHT DIE.
1210
01:16:20,176 --> 01:16:22,209
THAT WAS A DEEP, DARK SECRET.
1211
01:16:22,312 --> 01:16:25,713
IT WAS WARTIME,
AND NO ONE WANTED TO TALK ABOUT
1212
01:16:25,815 --> 01:16:28,115
THE PRESIDENT FAILING
IN ANY WAY
1213
01:16:28,217 --> 01:16:33,053
BUT I THINK THAT HAD TO BE
BEHIND EVERYBODY'S MINDS.
1214
01:16:33,156 --> 01:16:35,267
Man:
IT WAS IN THE MINDS
OF MANY DELEGATES
1215
01:16:35,291 --> 01:16:37,958
THAT WHOEVER WAS NOMINATED
FOR VICE-PRESIDENT
1216
01:16:38,060 --> 01:16:41,829
COULD VERY WELL BECOME PRESIDENT
WITHIN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.
1217
01:16:44,801 --> 01:16:47,067
THE ENTIRE FOCUS
OF THAT CONVENTION
1218
01:16:47,169 --> 01:16:50,837
WAS ON WHO WOULD BE NOMINATED
FOR THE VICE-PRESIDENCY.
1219
01:16:50,940 --> 01:16:54,307
Crowd:
WE WANT WALLACE!
WE WANT WALLACE!
1220
01:16:54,410 --> 01:16:55,977
WE WANT WALLACE!
1221
01:16:56,079 --> 01:16:58,857
Narrator:
THE CURRENT VICE-PRESIDENT,
HENRY WALLACE
1222
01:16:58,881 --> 01:16:59,980
WAS THE MAN TO BEAT.
1223
01:17:00,082 --> 01:17:02,817
A CHAMPION
OF CIVIL RIGHTS AND LABOR
1224
01:17:02,919 --> 01:17:05,853
HE WAS IMMENSELY POPULAR
WITH LIBERALS
1225
01:17:05,955 --> 01:17:08,790
BUT CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRATS
OPPOSED HIM.
1226
01:17:08,892 --> 01:17:13,127
MANY OF THEM TURNED TO JIMMY
BYRNES FROM SOUTH CAROLINA...
1227
01:17:13,229 --> 01:17:16,364
A FORMER SENATOR
AND SUPREME COURT JUSTICE.
1228
01:17:16,466 --> 01:17:20,801
AN AVOWED SEGREGATIONIST,
HE WAS UNACCEPTABLE TO LIBERALS.
1229
01:17:20,903 --> 01:17:25,439
WE WANT WALLACE!
WE WANT WALLACE!
1230
01:17:25,541 --> 01:17:27,608
Narrator:
WITH THE DEMOCRATS DIVIDED
1231
01:17:27,710 --> 01:17:30,377
PARTY LEADERS WERE SEARCHING
FOR A COMPROMISE.
1232
01:17:30,480 --> 01:17:32,546
PARTY CHAIRMAN
BOB HANNEGAN WANTED
1233
01:17:32,649 --> 01:17:34,248
NEITHER WALLACE NOR BYRNES.
1234
01:17:34,350 --> 01:17:37,551
Roll:
MY FATHER AND THE OTHER
POLITICAL ADVISERS FELT
1235
01:17:37,653 --> 01:17:40,721
THAT JIMMY BYRNES WOULD BE
A LIABILITY TO THE TICKET.
1236
01:17:40,824 --> 01:17:44,091
SOUTHERNERS WERE
A DRAWBACK AT THAT TIME.
1237
01:17:44,193 --> 01:17:47,227
LABOR WAS NOT
PARTICULARLY FOND OF HIM
1238
01:17:47,330 --> 01:17:49,864
AND MY FATHER WAS
VERY CONCERNED
1239
01:17:49,966 --> 01:17:53,134
ABOUT WALLACE
AS A POSSIBLE PRESIDENT.
1240
01:17:53,236 --> 01:17:55,969
HE FELT
THAT HE WAS SORT OF FLAKY
1241
01:17:56,072 --> 01:17:58,873
AND FROM A POLITICIAN'S
STANDPOINT
1242
01:17:58,975 --> 01:18:01,642
MY FATHER COULDN'T CONTROL HIM.
1243
01:18:01,744 --> 01:18:05,613
SO, MY FATHER FELT THAT TRUMAN
WOULD BE SOMEWHAT BLAMELESS...
1244
01:18:05,715 --> 01:18:08,115
THAT HE WOULD HAVE
NO REAL DRAWBACKS.
1245
01:18:08,218 --> 01:18:11,786
Hamby:
SO HE EMERGES
AS A COMPROMISE CANDIDATE:
1246
01:18:11,888 --> 01:18:15,389
"THE MISSOURI COMPROMISE,"
SOME PEOPLE SAY.
1247
01:18:15,491 --> 01:18:19,527
HE HAS CONSERVATIVE FRIENDS,
SOUTHERNERS LIKE HIM
1248
01:18:19,629 --> 01:18:22,262
BUT HE'S BEEN A GOOD NEW DEALER.
1249
01:18:22,364 --> 01:18:24,865
HE'S GOT LABOR UNION CONTACTS.
1250
01:18:24,967 --> 01:18:27,868
HE EMERGES AS THE PERSON
EVERYONE CAN AGREE ON.
1251
01:18:27,970 --> 01:18:29,436
IT WAS SIMPLY
1252
01:18:29,538 --> 01:18:33,741
ACTUALLY A DIPPING INTO
ALMOST THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL
1253
01:18:33,843 --> 01:18:37,678
YOU COULD ALMOST SAY,
TO APPOINT AS VICE-PRESIDENT
1254
01:18:37,780 --> 01:18:41,215
AND TO SELECT AS VICE-PRESIDENT
ON THE TICKET
1255
01:18:41,317 --> 01:18:44,585
A MAN WHO DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING
AGAINST HIM.
1256
01:18:46,422 --> 01:18:49,656
Convention speaker:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
OF THE CONVENTION...
1257
01:18:49,758 --> 01:18:51,892
Narrator:
UNKNOWN TO THE DELEGATES
1258
01:18:51,994 --> 01:18:56,163
THE PARTY BOSSES WERE DETERMINED
TO MAKE TRUMAN VICE-PRESIDENT.
1259
01:18:56,265 --> 01:18:59,500
TWO WEEKS BEFORE, THEY HAD MADE
A TRIP TO THE WHITE HOUSE.
1260
01:18:59,602 --> 01:19:02,403
McCullough:
ONE JULY NIGHT IN 1944
1261
01:19:02,504 --> 01:19:06,040
THE BIG BOSSES MET
WITH FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT
1262
01:19:06,142 --> 01:19:09,410
AND IT WAS A VERY HOT NIGHT,
VERY HUMID
1263
01:19:09,512 --> 01:19:12,279
WITH THE LONG FRENCH DOORS
OPEN TO THE AIR
1264
01:19:12,381 --> 01:19:16,216
AND THE CURTAINS BLOWING IN
WHAT LITTLE BREEZE THERE WAS
1265
01:19:16,319 --> 01:19:20,221
AND THEY ALL SAT AROUND IN
THEIR SHIRTSLEEVES, PERSPIRING
1266
01:19:20,323 --> 01:19:24,291
TALKING ABOUT WHO OUGHT TO BE
THE VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CHOICE.
1267
01:19:24,393 --> 01:19:27,528
AND THE BOSSES ALL SAID
IT COULD NOT BE WALLACE
1268
01:19:27,630 --> 01:19:30,998
IT COULD NOT BE BYRNES,
AND IT OUGHT TO BE TRUMAN.
1269
01:19:31,100 --> 01:19:34,001
ROOSEVELT LATER TOLD
HIS SON JIMMY
1270
01:19:34,103 --> 01:19:37,304
THAT, IN FACT,
HE REALLY DIDN'T CARE.
1271
01:19:37,406 --> 01:19:39,973
HE WAS A TIRED, SICK, ILL MAN
1272
01:19:40,075 --> 01:19:42,810
AND HIS MIND
AND WHAT ENERGY HE HAD
1273
01:19:42,912 --> 01:19:45,479
WAS ALL CONCENTRATED ON THE WAR.
1274
01:19:45,581 --> 01:19:49,149
I THINK MY FATHER AND OTHER
PARTY LEADERS DID THE CHOOSING
1275
01:19:49,251 --> 01:19:51,218
AND ROOSEVELT
WENT ALONG WITH IT.
1276
01:19:51,320 --> 01:19:53,320
I DON'T THINK HE CARED
AT THIS POINT.
1277
01:19:53,422 --> 01:19:54,955
I THINK IT WAS...
1278
01:19:55,057 --> 01:19:57,892
I DON'T THINK IT WASATTER
OF GREAT CONCERN TO HIM.
1279
01:19:57,994 --> 01:20:00,761
IF IT HAD BEEN,
HE WOULD HAVE KNOWN VERY WELL
1280
01:20:00,863 --> 01:20:02,696
HOW TO PUT THE MATTER TO REST.
1281
01:20:02,798 --> 01:20:07,268
Narrator:
THE MOST IMPORTANT DEMOCRATS
WERE NOW LINED UP BEHIND TRUMAN
1282
01:20:07,370 --> 01:20:10,771
AND AT THE CONVENTION,
BOB HANNEGAN TOLD THE SENATOR
1283
01:20:10,873 --> 01:20:13,473
THE VICE-PRESIDENTIAL
NOMINATION WAS HIS.
1284
01:20:13,576 --> 01:20:18,078
Roll:
ONCE MY FATHER AND HIS FRIENDS
HAD PRETTY MUCH SET TRUMAN UP
1285
01:20:18,180 --> 01:20:21,949
THEN THEY HAD TO CONVINCE TRUMAN
THAT HE WAS GOING TO RUN.
1286
01:20:22,051 --> 01:20:24,085
AND HE WAS VERY MUCH
OPPOSED TO IT
1287
01:20:24,187 --> 01:20:26,087
AND HE SAID HE WOULDN'T DO IT.
1288
01:20:26,188 --> 01:20:28,322
McCullough:
HE DIDN'T WANT TO BE PRESIDENT
1289
01:20:28,424 --> 01:20:30,757
AND HE CERTAINLY DIDN'T WANT
TO BE PRESIDENT
1290
01:20:30,860 --> 01:20:32,192
AFTER FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT.
1291
01:20:32,294 --> 01:20:33,660
HE DIDN'T WANT TO COME IN
1292
01:20:33,762 --> 01:20:36,296
AND TRY AND HAVE TO FILL
THOSE ENORMOUS SHOES.
1293
01:20:36,398 --> 01:20:38,165
HE DIDN'T THINK HE WAS QUALIFIED
1294
01:20:38,267 --> 01:20:40,534
TO BE PRESIDENT
OF THE UNITED STATES.
1295
01:20:40,636 --> 01:20:44,104
HE WAS VERY HAPPY WHERE HE WAS,
IN THE SENATE.
1296
01:20:44,206 --> 01:20:48,341
HE HAD GONE THROUGH THE TRAUMA
OF THE PENDERGAST YEARS
1297
01:20:48,443 --> 01:20:51,545
WHERE HIS NAME HAD BEEN
RUBBED IN THE MUD
1298
01:20:51,647 --> 01:20:55,783
ALONG WITH PENDERGAST MACHINE,
AND IT HURT HIS FAMILY.
1299
01:20:55,885 --> 01:20:59,386
HE WAS A VERY
DEVOTED FAMILY MAN.
1300
01:21:01,224 --> 01:21:04,358
McCullough:
BESS HAD NONE OF THAT KIND
OF POLITICAL AMBITION.
1301
01:21:04,460 --> 01:21:07,294
SHE HAD NO DESIRE TO SEE
HER HUSBAND BECOME PRESIDENT.
1302
01:21:07,396 --> 01:21:09,964
SHE CERTAINLY HAD NO DESIRE
TO BE THE FIRST LADY.
1303
01:21:10,066 --> 01:21:11,565
SHE DIDN'T LIKE THE LIMELIGHT
1304
01:21:11,667 --> 01:21:14,801
AND ONE OF THE REASONS THAT
THEY DIDN'T WANT THE NOMINATION
1305
01:21:14,903 --> 01:21:18,805
WAS A FEAR THAT HER FATHER'S
SUICIDE WOULD BECOME PUBLIC
1306
01:21:18,907 --> 01:21:21,074
THAT THE COUNTRY WOULD FIND OUT
1307
01:21:21,177 --> 01:21:24,978
THAT THIS DISGRACEFUL THING
HAD HAPPENED IN HER PAST.
1308
01:21:29,085 --> 01:21:33,854
Narrator:
BUT THE MOMENTUM WAS BUILDING
TOWARD A TRUMAN VICE-PRESIDENCY
1309
01:21:33,956 --> 01:21:36,791
AND BESS TRUMAN
WOULD HAVE TO STAND ASIDE.
1310
01:21:36,892 --> 01:21:39,960
ON JULY 20, THE PARTY BOSSES
SUMMONED TRUMAN
1311
01:21:40,062 --> 01:21:42,396
TO A SUITE
IN THE BLACKSTONE HOTEL
1312
01:21:42,498 --> 01:21:46,633
TO LISTEN IN ON A PHONE CALL
THAT, UNKNOWN TO THE SENATOR
1313
01:21:46,735 --> 01:21:50,203
THEY HAD REHEARSED IN ADVANCE
WITH THE PRESIDENT.
1314
01:21:50,306 --> 01:21:53,974
MY FATHER GOT THE PRESIDENT
HIMSELF, PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
1315
01:21:54,076 --> 01:21:55,575
TO CALL HIM ON THE LINE
1316
01:21:55,677 --> 01:21:59,880
AND WHILE HE WAS ON THE LINE,
HE LET TRUMAN LISTEN.
1317
01:21:59,982 --> 01:22:03,083
Narrator:
THE PRESIDENT'S VOICE
BOOMED SO LOUD
1318
01:22:03,185 --> 01:22:05,419
EVERYONE IN THE ROOM COULD HEAR:
1319
01:22:05,521 --> 01:22:09,824
"HAVE YOU GOT THAT FELLOW LINED
UP YET?" THE PRESIDENT ASKED.
1320
01:22:09,926 --> 01:22:11,959
"NO," THE PRESIDENT WAS TOLD.
1321
01:22:12,060 --> 01:22:15,396
"HE IS THE CONTRARIEST
GODDAMN MULE FROM MISSOURI
1322
01:22:15,498 --> 01:22:16,764
I EVER DEALT WITH."
1323
01:22:16,866 --> 01:22:19,466
"YOU TELL THE SENATOR,"
ROOSEVELT SAID
1324
01:22:19,568 --> 01:22:22,903
"THAT IF HE WANTS TO BREAK UP
THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
1325
01:22:23,005 --> 01:22:26,607
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WAR,
THAT'S HIS RESPONSIBILITY."
1326
01:22:26,709 --> 01:22:28,942
AND THEN HE BANGED DOWN
THE PHONE.
1327
01:22:29,044 --> 01:22:33,113
"WELL," TRUMAN SAID
PACING UP AND DOWN THE FLOOR
1328
01:22:33,215 --> 01:22:37,050
"IF THAT'S THE SITUATION,
I'LL HAVE TO SAY YES.
1329
01:22:37,153 --> 01:22:41,789
BUT WHY THE HELL DIDN'T
HE TELL ME IN THE FIRST PLACE?"
1330
01:22:41,891 --> 01:22:45,658
Convention announcer:
HARRY TRUMAN HAS RECEIVED
MORE THAN A MAJORITY.
1331
01:22:45,761 --> 01:22:47,328
I DO NOW DECLARE HIM TO BE
1332
01:22:47,430 --> 01:22:50,297
THE NOMINEE OF THE DEMOCRATIC
PARTY FOR VICE-PRESIDENT
1333
01:22:50,399 --> 01:22:53,000
AND THE NEXT VICE-PRESIDENT
OF THE UNITED STATES.
1334
01:23:02,945 --> 01:23:05,245
Narrator:
ON FRIDAY, JULY 21, 1944
1335
01:23:05,348 --> 01:23:08,415
HARRY TRUMAN ACCEPTED
HIS PARTY'S NOMINATION
1336
01:23:08,517 --> 01:23:09,849
FOR VICE-PRESIDENT.
1337
01:23:09,951 --> 01:23:12,352
Roll:
I THINK HE WAS SOMEWHAT EXCITED.
1338
01:23:12,454 --> 01:23:14,688
I DON'T THINK MRS. TRUMAN
WAS HAPPY AT ALL.
1339
01:23:14,790 --> 01:23:17,257
I DON'T RECALL HER EVER SMILING
THE WHOLE TIME.
1340
01:23:17,359 --> 01:23:19,492
SHE WAS IN A BOX
NOT TOO FAR FROM US
1341
01:23:19,595 --> 01:23:22,029
AND I DON'T RECALL ANY SMILES
DOWN THERE.
1342
01:23:22,131 --> 01:23:24,431
I THINK SHE WAS
VERY UNHAPPY ABOUT IT.
1343
01:23:24,533 --> 01:23:27,267
THERE'S NOT MUCH MORE
THAT I CAN SAY TO YOU
1344
01:23:27,369 --> 01:23:30,770
EXCEPT THAT I ACCEPT THE HONOR
WITH ALL THE HUMILITY
1345
01:23:30,873 --> 01:23:33,841
THAT A CITIZEN OF
THE UNITED STATES CAN ASSUME
1346
01:23:33,943 --> 01:23:35,008
IN THIS POSITION.
1347
01:23:35,110 --> 01:23:36,476
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
1348
01:23:41,317 --> 01:23:44,885
Narrator:
"AFTER DAD'S SPEECH,"
MARGARET TRUMAN LATER WROTE
1349
01:23:44,987 --> 01:23:46,620
"WE WERE BESIEGED BY HORDES
1350
01:23:46,722 --> 01:23:48,922
"OF SHOUTING, SWEATING
PHOTOGRAPHERS.
1351
01:23:49,024 --> 01:23:51,258
"EVERYONE WANTED TO TOUCH US.
1352
01:23:51,360 --> 01:23:55,863
"THANKFULLY, THE POLICE FORMED
A KIND OF PHALANX AROUND US
1353
01:23:55,965 --> 01:23:59,934
"AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET
INTO A WAITING CAR OUTSIDE
1354
01:24:00,035 --> 01:24:03,837
"WHERE MOM LOOKED AT DAD,
GLARED AT HIM, AND SAID:
1355
01:24:03,939 --> 01:24:07,074
"'ARE WE GOING TO HAVE
TO GO THROUGH THIS
1356
01:24:07,176 --> 01:24:09,643
FOR ALL THE REST OF OUR LIVES?'"
1357
01:24:09,745 --> 01:24:12,012
AS THEY HEADED BACK
TO INDEPENDENCE
1358
01:24:12,114 --> 01:24:16,383
BESS TRUMAN REFUSED
TO SPEAK TO ANYONE.
1359
01:24:27,229 --> 01:24:29,807
Margaret:
DAD, HERE'S A NICE LETTER
FROM MARION.
1360
01:24:29,831 --> 01:24:30,998
THAT'S NICE OF MARION.
1361
01:24:31,100 --> 01:24:32,833
SHE HAD A GOOD TIME IN CHICAGO.
1362
01:24:32,935 --> 01:24:34,534
HERE'S ONE FROM YOUR TEACHER.
1363
01:24:34,637 --> 01:24:36,036
OH, MISS CARR.
1364
01:24:36,138 --> 01:24:37,338
MISS CARR.
1365
01:24:37,406 --> 01:24:39,951
AND HERE'S ONE
FROM MR. BUDA
FROM ST. LOUIS.
1366
01:24:39,975 --> 01:24:41,308
LISTEN TO WHAT HE SAYS.
1367
01:24:41,410 --> 01:24:44,044
"PLEASE CONVEY
MY CONGRATULATIONS
TO YOUR LOYAL WIFE
1368
01:24:44,146 --> 01:24:45,846
"CHARMING DAUGHTER
AND DEAR MOTHER
1369
01:24:45,948 --> 01:24:47,981
"WHOSE GREAT JOY
AND HAPPINESS IS SHARED
1370
01:24:48,084 --> 01:24:49,483
BY THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS."
1371
01:24:49,585 --> 01:24:50,483
ISN'T THAT NICE?
1372
01:24:50,585 --> 01:24:52,152
THAT CERTAINLY IS.
1373
01:24:52,254 --> 01:24:55,822
Roll:
ONCE HE WAS IN IT,
HE WAS ALL THE WAY IN IT.
1374
01:24:55,924 --> 01:24:59,059
SAY, DADDY, DON'T YOU WISH
YOU'D GONE FISHING LAST WEEK?
1375
01:24:59,161 --> 01:25:00,305
WELL, I DID GO
1376
01:25:00,329 --> 01:25:02,374
ON A SORT OF FISHING
TRIP TO CHICAGO
1377
01:25:02,398 --> 01:25:04,276
OR AT LEAST IT
RESULTED THAT WAY.
1378
01:25:04,300 --> 01:25:06,933
HE WAS TOO MUCH
OF A POLITICIAN HIMSELF
1379
01:25:07,035 --> 01:25:09,169
NOT TO GO FOR IT ALL THE WAY.
1380
01:25:13,242 --> 01:25:18,045
Narrator:
TRUMAN CAMPAIGNED WITH HIS
USUAL ENERGY AND DETERMINATION
1381
01:25:18,146 --> 01:25:21,381
TRAVELING THOUSANDS OF MILES,
SKIPPING MEALS
1382
01:25:21,484 --> 01:25:25,185
WASHING HIS SOCKS IN THE BASIN
OF HIS SLEEPING CAR.
1383
01:25:25,287 --> 01:25:28,355
Hamby:
HE'S DESIGNATED
AS THE PARTY WORKHORSE.
1384
01:25:28,457 --> 01:25:34,394
"THIS DUTY HAS BEEN INFLICTED
ON ME AND I'M GOING TO DO IT.
1385
01:25:34,497 --> 01:25:36,597
BUT I'M APPREHENSIVE
ABOUT THE FUTURE."
1386
01:25:52,681 --> 01:25:56,583
Narrator:
THE NIGHT THAT ROOSEVELT
AND TRUMAN WERE ELECTED
1387
01:25:56,686 --> 01:25:58,985
HARRY TRUMAN COULD HARDLY SLEEP.
1388
01:26:10,165 --> 01:26:12,365
THE SENATE WILL COME TO ORDER.
1389
01:26:12,467 --> 01:26:14,913
Narrator:
THE VICE-PRESIDENT,
TRUMAN WOULD SAY
1390
01:26:14,937 --> 01:26:17,271
IS A "POLITICAL EUNUCH."
1391
01:26:19,041 --> 01:26:21,075
THE SENATE WILL COME TO ORDER.
1392
01:26:21,177 --> 01:26:23,610
Narrator:
HE PRESIDED OVER THE SENATE
1393
01:26:23,712 --> 01:26:27,447
WRITING LETTERS HOME DURING
THE LONG SENATORIAL DEBATES
1394
01:26:27,549 --> 01:26:30,050
DROPPING BY FOR
A LATE-AFTERNOON DRINK
1395
01:26:30,152 --> 01:26:32,452
WITH HIS OLD FRIENDS
IN CONGRESS.
1396
01:26:34,223 --> 01:26:38,725
HE SEEMED WHOLLY UNAFFECTED
BY HIS NEW TITLE...
1397
01:26:38,827 --> 01:26:42,696
"HOMESPUN AS EVER,"
ONE SENATOR REMARKED.
1398
01:26:42,798 --> 01:26:46,466
ONE AFTERNOON, AT A LUNCHEON
AT THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB
1399
01:26:46,569 --> 01:26:49,235
THE VICE-PRESIDENT SAT DOWN
AT THE PIANO
1400
01:26:49,337 --> 01:26:51,137
TO PLAY THE "MISSOURI WALTZ."
1401
01:26:51,239 --> 01:26:56,276
Hamby:
SUDDENLY, A YOUNG, BEAUTIFUL
ACTRESS, LAUREN BACALL
1402
01:26:56,378 --> 01:26:59,513
PERCHES HERSELF ON TOP
OF THE PIANO
1403
01:26:59,615 --> 01:27:02,315
FOR SOME PUBLICITY PORTRAITS
1404
01:27:02,417 --> 01:27:07,854
SHOWING A RATHER DARING AMOUNT
OF LEG BY 1945 STANDARDS.
1405
01:27:10,025 --> 01:27:13,060
TRUMAN DOESN'T QUITE KNOW
HOW TO REACT TO THIS.
1406
01:27:13,162 --> 01:27:16,597
HE DOES WHAT IS PROBABLY THE
ONLY INTELLIGENT THING TO DO
1407
01:27:16,699 --> 01:27:19,799
WHICH IS TO KEEP SMILING
AND KEEP PLAYING THE PIANO.
1408
01:27:19,902 --> 01:27:21,935
Narrator:
FLASHBULBS EXPLODED.
1409
01:27:22,037 --> 01:27:24,171
THE AUDIENCE CHEERED.
1410
01:27:24,273 --> 01:27:27,441
THE PHOTOS WERE
AN INTERNATIONAL SENSATION.
1411
01:27:27,543 --> 01:27:31,311
BESS WAS FURIOUS.
1412
01:27:31,413 --> 01:27:34,481
Hamby:
IT DID HAVE KIND OF
A LOOSE ASSOCIATION
1413
01:27:34,583 --> 01:27:36,950
WITH THE IDEA
OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT
1414
01:27:37,052 --> 01:27:40,487
BEING THE PIANO PLAYER
IN A HOUSE OF ILL-REPUTE.
1415
01:27:43,992 --> 01:27:46,926
Narrator:
THROUGHOUT HIS VICE-PRESIDENCY
1416
01:27:47,028 --> 01:27:51,264
TRUMAN WAS ALWAYS KEPT OUTSIDE
ROOSEVELT'S INNER CIRCLE.
1417
01:27:51,366 --> 01:27:54,768
F.D.R. NEVER TOOK TRUMAN
INTO HIS CONFIDENCE.
1418
01:27:54,870 --> 01:27:57,937
THE VICE-PRESIDENT MET ALONE
WITH THE PRESIDENT
1419
01:27:58,039 --> 01:27:59,540
JUST TWO TIMES.
1420
01:27:59,642 --> 01:28:02,676
HE COULD NEVER SHAKE,
TRUMAN SAID, THE FEELING
1421
01:28:02,778 --> 01:28:07,014
THAT THE ROOSEVELT WHITE HOUSE
CONSIDERED HIM "SMALL POTATOES."
1422
01:28:07,116 --> 01:28:11,417
Hamby:
HE HAS WHAT YOU MIGHT ALMOST
CALL A LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP
1423
01:28:11,520 --> 01:28:13,353
WITH ROOSEVELT BY THIS TIME.
1424
01:28:13,455 --> 01:28:15,455
HE ADMIRES HIM ON THE ONE HAND
1425
01:28:15,557 --> 01:28:18,358
DOESN'T QUITE TRUST HIM
ON THE OTHER HAND.
1426
01:28:18,461 --> 01:28:21,261
AND THE FACT IS THAT ROOSEVELT
DIDN'T PAY MUCH ATTENTION
1427
01:28:21,363 --> 01:28:22,896
TO HIS NEW VICE-PRESIDENT.
1428
01:28:22,998 --> 01:28:26,499
Narrator:
EVEN WHEN THEY HAD MET
FOR A PRIVATE LUNCHEON
1429
01:28:26,601 --> 01:28:29,036
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
DURING THE CAMPAIGN
1430
01:28:29,138 --> 01:28:31,905
ROOSEVELT TOLD TRUMAN
NOTHING OF IMPORTANCE
1431
01:28:32,007 --> 01:28:35,074
POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS
AND MAKING SMALL TALK.
1432
01:28:35,176 --> 01:28:37,911
McCullough:
AND IT WAS AT THAT POINT
1433
01:28:38,013 --> 01:28:42,182
THAT TRUMAN SAW ROOSEVELT
CLOSE UP FOR THE FIRST TIME
1434
01:28:42,284 --> 01:28:44,451
AND SAW HOW BADLY HE LOOKED...
1435
01:28:44,553 --> 01:28:49,289
SAW THE CIRCLES UNDER HIS EYES,
SAW THE DROOP OF HIS SHOULDERS
1436
01:28:49,391 --> 01:28:51,792
AND NOTICED THAT
WHEN ROOSEVELT WENT
1437
01:28:51,894 --> 01:28:53,926
TO POUR HIS CREAM
INTO HIS COFFEE
1438
01:28:54,029 --> 01:28:57,064
THAT HIS HAND TREMBLED
SO HE COULD HARDLY DO IT.
1439
01:28:57,166 --> 01:28:59,844
Narrator:
"I HAD BEEN AFRAID
FOR MANY WEEKS
1440
01:28:59,868 --> 01:29:02,769
THAT SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEN,"
TRUMAN ADMITTED
1441
01:29:02,871 --> 01:29:05,772
"BUT I DIDN'T ALLOW MYSELF
TO THINK ABOUT IT."
1442
01:29:05,874 --> 01:29:09,309
Man:
I THINK TRUMAN AND EVERYBODY
ELSE AT ONE LEVEL KNEW
1443
01:29:09,411 --> 01:29:12,012
THAT ROOSEVELT WOULDN'T
LIVE OUT HIS TERM.
1444
01:29:12,114 --> 01:29:15,382
BUT THERE WAS A SHARED DENIAL
THAT WAS OVERWHELMING.
1445
01:29:15,484 --> 01:29:17,885
IT CAME FROM ROOSEVELT
AND FROM TRUMAN.
1446
01:29:17,986 --> 01:29:20,120
SO THAT WHAT THE RESULT WAS
1447
01:29:20,222 --> 01:29:23,257
WAS THAT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY
NO PREPARATION
1448
01:29:23,359 --> 01:29:26,660
OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT
BY A VERY SICK PRESIDENT
1449
01:29:26,762 --> 01:29:28,328
FOR THE PRESIDENCY.
1450
01:29:28,430 --> 01:29:34,334
AND TRUMAN, HE DIDN'T TAKE
THE MOST MODEST KIND OF EFFORT
1451
01:29:34,436 --> 01:29:38,005
TOWARD IMAGINING HIMSELF
AS PRESIDENT
1452
01:29:38,107 --> 01:29:42,342
AND PREPARING HIMSELF
FOR THE PRESIDENCY.
1453
01:29:42,444 --> 01:29:46,446
Hamby:
HE TELLS A FRIEND OF HIS
IN MISSOURI
1454
01:29:46,548 --> 01:29:51,484
THAT ROOSEVELT HAS
THE PALLOR OF DEATH ON HIS FACE.
1455
01:29:51,586 --> 01:29:52,719
HE'S VERY WORRIED
1456
01:29:52,821 --> 01:29:56,256
THAT HE'S GOING TO HAVE
THE PRESIDENCY THRUST ON HIM
1457
01:29:56,358 --> 01:29:58,858
AND THAT IT MIGHT HAPPEN
AT ANY MOMENT.
1458
01:30:02,998 --> 01:30:08,935
Narrator:
ON APRIL 12, 1945, TRUMAN
RUSHED TO THE WHITE HOUSE.
1459
01:30:09,037 --> 01:30:11,838
FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT WAS DEAD.
1460
01:30:17,479 --> 01:30:20,180
VICE-PRESIDENT FOR JUST 82 DAYS
1461
01:30:20,282 --> 01:30:25,218
HARRY S. TRUMAN WAS NOW
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
1462
01:30:27,389 --> 01:30:30,223
HE WAS FRIGHTENED AND INSECURE.
1463
01:30:30,326 --> 01:30:34,761
"I'M NOT BIG ENOUGH
FOR THIS JOB," TRUMAN SAID.
1464
01:30:37,366 --> 01:30:42,569
AFTER TAKING THE OATH, TRUMAN
GATHERED HIS CABINET AROUND HIM.
1465
01:30:42,671 --> 01:30:44,738
HE BARELY KNEW THESE MEN.
1466
01:30:44,840 --> 01:30:47,473
NOW HE ASKED FOR THEIR SUPPORT.
1467
01:30:47,575 --> 01:30:51,344
SECRETARY OF WAR
HENRY STIMSON REMAINED
1468
01:30:51,446 --> 01:30:55,014
WHILE THE REST
SILENTLY DRIFTED AWAY.
1469
01:30:55,117 --> 01:30:58,718
"HE WANTED ME TO KNOW
ABOUT AN IMMENSE PROJECT"
1470
01:30:58,820 --> 01:31:02,422
TRUMAN WROTE LATER,
"TO DEVELOP A NEW EXPLOSIVE
1471
01:31:02,524 --> 01:31:05,758
"OF ALMOST UNBELIEVABLE
DESTRUCTIVE POWER.
1472
01:31:05,860 --> 01:31:09,296
"THAT WAS ALL HE FELT FREE
TO SAY AT THE TIME
1473
01:31:09,398 --> 01:31:12,098
AND HIS STATEMENT
LEFT ME PUZZLED."
1474
01:31:12,200 --> 01:31:14,735
HARRY TRUMAN WAS PRESIDENT
1475
01:31:14,837 --> 01:31:19,038
AND HE KNEW NOTHING
ABOUT THE ATOMIC BOMB.
1476
01:31:31,352 --> 01:31:34,487
Narrator:
THE DAY AFTER
FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT DIED
1477
01:31:34,590 --> 01:31:37,457
PRESIDENT HARRY TRUMAN
MET WITH REPORTERS.
1478
01:31:37,559 --> 01:31:41,461
"BOYS, IF YOU EVER PRAY,
PRAY FOR ME NOW," HE TOLD THEM.
1479
01:31:41,563 --> 01:31:43,764
"I DON'T KNOW
WHETHER YOU FELLOWS
1480
01:31:43,866 --> 01:31:46,232
"EVER HAD A LOAD OF HAY
FALL ON YOU
1481
01:31:46,334 --> 01:31:49,770
"BUT WHEN THEY TOLD ME YESTERDAY
WHAT HAD HAPPENED
1482
01:31:49,871 --> 01:31:53,540
"I FELT LIKE THE MOON,
THE STARS AND ALL THE PLANETS
1483
01:31:53,642 --> 01:31:55,541
HAD FALLEN ON ME."
1484
01:32:23,404 --> 01:32:26,940
ON HIS FIRST FULL DAY IN OFFICE,
TRUMAN SURPRISED EVERYONE
1485
01:32:27,042 --> 01:32:29,309
WITH HIS SHOW
OF ENERGY AND CONFIDENCE.
1486
01:32:29,411 --> 01:32:34,614
Hamby:
OUTWARDLY, TRUMAN WORKS
VERY HARD AT LOOKING CONFIDENT
1487
01:32:34,716 --> 01:32:37,350
AT SEEMING TO BE IN CHARGE.
1488
01:32:37,452 --> 01:32:41,154
PRIVATELY, HE CLEARLY
FEELS QUITE INSECURE
1489
01:32:41,256 --> 01:32:43,956
ABOUT HIS NEW ROLE.
1490
01:32:44,059 --> 01:32:47,961
HE LETS CLOSE FRIENDS
AND CONFIDANTES KNOW
1491
01:32:48,063 --> 01:32:52,065
THAT THIS IS
A TERRIBLE CHALLENGE HE FACES.
1492
01:32:52,167 --> 01:32:56,269
Narrator:
"I'M SCARED," HE ADMITTED
TO HIS MOTHER AND SISTER.
1493
01:32:56,371 --> 01:32:58,838
"MAYBE IT WILL COME OUT
ALL RIGHT."
1494
01:33:12,454 --> 01:33:15,588
HIS FIRST CHANCE TO PROVE
THAT HE WAS UP TO THE JOB
1495
01:33:15,690 --> 01:33:17,356
CAME ON APRIL 16
1496
01:33:17,459 --> 01:33:20,293
WHEN HE ADDRESSED
A JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS.
1497
01:33:20,395 --> 01:33:24,598
Announcer:
IN JUST A MOMENT SPEAKER RAYBURN
WILL INTRODUCE PRESIDENT TRUMAN.
1498
01:33:24,700 --> 01:33:28,768
Narrator:
ANXIOUS TO REASSURE AMERICANS,
AND HIMSELF, TRUMAN FUMBLED.
1499
01:33:28,870 --> 01:33:31,471
HE LAUNCHED IMMEDIATELY
INTO HIS SPEECH
1500
01:33:31,573 --> 01:33:35,708
AND ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY,
AMERICANS LISTENING ON THE RADIO
1501
01:33:35,810 --> 01:33:40,013
HEARD THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
CORRECT HIM BY HIS FIRST NAME.
1502
01:33:40,115 --> 01:33:41,659
Truman:
MR. SPEAKER...
1503
01:33:41,683 --> 01:33:44,851
Rayburn:
JUST A MOMENT... LET ME
PRESENT YOU, WILL YOU, HARRY?
1504
01:33:44,953 --> 01:33:46,352
MEMBERS OF THE CONGRESS
1505
01:33:46,455 --> 01:33:49,455
I HAVE THE GREAT PLEASURE
AND THE HIGH PRIVILEGE
1506
01:33:49,558 --> 01:33:53,126
OF PRESENTING TO YOU THE
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
1507
01:34:03,205 --> 01:34:06,372
IN HIS INFINITE WISDOM
1508
01:34:06,475 --> 01:34:11,711
ALMIGHTY GOD HAS SEEN FIT
TO TAKE FROM US A GREAT MAN
1509
01:34:11,813 --> 01:34:16,049
WHO LOVED AND WAS BELOVED
BY ALL HUMANITY.
1510
01:34:17,519 --> 01:34:21,287
NO MAN COULD POSSIBLY FILL
THE TREMENDOUS VOID
1511
01:34:21,389 --> 01:34:24,624
LEFT BY THE PASSING
OF THAT NOBLE SOUL.
1512
01:34:24,726 --> 01:34:26,993
Narrator:
IN SPITE OF HIS NERVOUS SLIP
1513
01:34:27,095 --> 01:34:29,329
THE SPEECH WAS
A RESOUNDING SUCCESS.
1514
01:34:29,431 --> 01:34:33,966
AMERICANS EVERYWHERE WARMED
TO THIS SEEMINGLY SIMPLE
1515
01:34:34,068 --> 01:34:37,003
STRAIGHTFORWARD MAN
FROM MISSOURI.
1516
01:34:37,105 --> 01:34:40,740
HIS SMALL-TOWN, FOLKSY MANNER
STOOD IN STRIKING CONTRAST
1517
01:34:40,842 --> 01:34:43,810
TO THE PATRICIAN MANNERS
OF FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT
1518
01:34:43,912 --> 01:34:46,979
AND MANY AMERICANS
FOUND THE CHANGE REFRESHING.
1519
01:34:47,081 --> 01:34:50,416
"AFTER A DIET OF CAVIAR,"
AN AIDE SAID
1520
01:34:50,518 --> 01:34:53,986
"YOU LIKE TO GET BACK
TO HAM AND EGGS."
1521
01:34:54,088 --> 01:34:59,326
Donovan:
HARRY WAS FRESH AND FAST
AND DARTING ABOUT.
1522
01:34:59,427 --> 01:35:01,293
THE CONTRAST SORT OF HIT THEM.
1523
01:35:01,395 --> 01:35:04,430
TRUMAN WAS PEPPERY,
AND HE'D WALK ALONG THE STREET
1524
01:35:04,533 --> 01:35:07,600
AND A TRUCK DRIVER,
I REMEMBER ON ONE OCCASION
1525
01:35:07,702 --> 01:35:09,469
SAID, "GOOD LUCK, HARRY!"
1526
01:35:09,571 --> 01:35:13,640
Narrator:
THE PRESS WAS SOON
PRAISING HIM FOR HIS CANDOR
1527
01:35:13,742 --> 01:35:16,642
AND CABINET OFFICIALS
FOR HIS HARD WORK.
1528
01:35:16,745 --> 01:35:21,214
TRUMAN, MANY AMERICANS WERE
SAYING, WAS A MAN OF THE PEOPLE.
1529
01:35:21,316 --> 01:35:25,518
Donovan:
THE THING I REMEMBER MOST
IS HIS HANDSHAKE.
1530
01:35:25,620 --> 01:35:28,121
I NEVER FELT SUCH A HANDSHAKE.
1531
01:35:28,223 --> 01:35:30,890
IT FINALLY DAWNED ON ME,
THIS MAN HAD...
1532
01:35:30,993 --> 01:35:32,492
WAS A REAL DIRT FARMER.
1533
01:35:32,594 --> 01:35:35,395
HE WORKED BEHIND THE PLOW
FOR TEN YEARS.
1534
01:35:37,198 --> 01:35:43,035
Hamby:
TRUMAN WAS THE ORDINARY
AMERICAN DEMOCRAT, SMALL "D."
1535
01:35:48,410 --> 01:35:50,810
BUT DID THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
1536
01:35:50,912 --> 01:35:55,381
WANT SOMEONE WHO WAS
SIMPLY ORDINARY TO LEAD THEM?
1537
01:35:55,483 --> 01:35:58,752
DID THEY BELIEVE
THAT SOMEONE OF THAT TYPE COULD?
1538
01:35:58,853 --> 01:36:01,521
THIS IS A PROBLEM
THAT TRUMAN WOULD FACE
1539
01:36:01,623 --> 01:36:03,489
THROUGHOUT HIS PRESIDENCY.
1540
01:36:10,198 --> 01:36:13,233
Narrator:
WHEN TRUMAN TOOK
THE OATH OF OFFICE
1541
01:36:13,335 --> 01:36:17,103
AMERICANS WERE FIGHTING
THE GREATEST WAR IN HISTORY.
1542
01:36:19,273 --> 01:36:23,743
ALL AT ONCE HE WAS COMMANDER-
IN-CHIEF OF 16 MILLION MEN
1543
01:36:23,845 --> 01:36:27,847
AND A TERRIFYING ARSENAL OF
WARSHIPS, TANKS AND PLANES
1544
01:36:27,949 --> 01:36:31,017
ARRAYED AGAINST THE JAPANESE
IN THE PACIFIC
1545
01:36:31,119 --> 01:36:33,186
AND NAZI GERMANY IN EUROPE.
1546
01:36:34,622 --> 01:36:36,556
BUT WHAT HE KNEW ABOUT WAR
1547
01:36:36,658 --> 01:36:40,560
CAME FROM HIS EXPERIENCE
AS A SOLDIER IN WORLD WAR I
1548
01:36:40,662 --> 01:36:43,463
AND FROM BOOKS
HE HAD READ AS A CHILD.
1549
01:36:43,564 --> 01:36:47,000
AMERICANS EVERYWHERE
WONDERED HOW HARRY TRUMAN
1550
01:36:47,102 --> 01:36:50,036
WOULD END THE WAR...
AND AT WHAT COST.
1551
01:36:55,910 --> 01:36:58,644
DURING TRUMAN'S
FIRST DAYS IN OFFICE
1552
01:36:58,746 --> 01:37:01,815
ALLIED ARMIES
WERE SWEEPING TOWARD GERMANY...
1553
01:37:01,917 --> 01:37:06,619
THE SOVIET UNION
CLOSED IN FROM THE EAST
1554
01:37:06,721 --> 01:37:09,622
THE AMERICANS FROM THE WEST.
1555
01:37:10,859 --> 01:37:13,926
BUT WITH THE NAZIS
ON THE VERGE OF SURRENDER
1556
01:37:14,028 --> 01:37:18,264
TRUMAN FEARED THAT THE SOVIETS
COULD NO LONGER BE TRUSTED.
1557
01:37:18,366 --> 01:37:22,202
THE WAR-INSPIRED ALLIANCE
BETWEEN RUSSIA AND AMERICA
1558
01:37:22,304 --> 01:37:24,470
WAS BEGINNING TO COME APART.
1559
01:37:29,644 --> 01:37:34,881
ON APRIL 22, SOVIET FOREIGN
MINISTER VYACHESLAV MOLOTOV
1560
01:37:34,983 --> 01:37:38,084
PAID A CALL ON THE WHITE HOUSE.
1561
01:37:42,491 --> 01:37:44,390
MOLOTOV WAS A WILY DIPLOMAT
1562
01:37:44,492 --> 01:37:47,660
A HARDENED VETERAN
OF THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION.
1563
01:37:47,762 --> 01:37:50,596
TRUMAN HAD BEEN PRESIDENT
FOR JUST TEN DAYS.
1564
01:37:50,698 --> 01:37:53,266
HE HAD NEVER NEGOTIATED
A TREATY BEFORE
1565
01:37:53,368 --> 01:37:55,468
NEVER MET A RUSSIAN IN HIS LIFE
1566
01:37:55,570 --> 01:37:59,272
AND KNEW NEXT TO NOTHING
ABOUT AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY.
1567
01:37:59,374 --> 01:38:02,208
LaFeber:
TRUMAN WAS INSECURE
AND IGNORANT.
1568
01:38:02,310 --> 01:38:04,978
IGNORANT NOT IN THE SENSE
OF BEING UNINTELLIGENT...
1569
01:38:05,080 --> 01:38:06,646
THE MAN WAS VERY INTELLIGENT...
1570
01:38:06,748 --> 01:38:09,715
IGNORANT IN THE SENSE OF
NOT KNOWING WHAT WAS GOING ON.
1571
01:38:09,818 --> 01:38:12,585
BUT OF COURSE, NOBODY
REALLY KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON
1572
01:38:12,687 --> 01:38:15,488
EXCEPT FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT,
AND HE WAS DEAD.
1573
01:38:15,590 --> 01:38:18,858
THE MAJOR PROBLEM
WAS THAT THE RED ARMY OCCUPIED
1574
01:38:18,960 --> 01:38:22,695
MUCH OF EASTERN EUROPE
AND WAS DRIVING TOWARDS BERLIN.
1575
01:38:22,797 --> 01:38:25,765
AND CONSEQUENTLY, WHAT
TRUMAN FACED WAS ESSENTIALLY
1576
01:38:25,867 --> 01:38:29,435
A RUSSIAN OCCUPATION OF EASTERN
AND PART OF CENTRAL EUROPE.
1577
01:38:32,774 --> 01:38:35,107
Narrator:
SOVIET DICTATOR JOSEF STALIN
1578
01:38:35,209 --> 01:38:38,144
SAW THE COUNTRIES
OF EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE
1579
01:38:38,246 --> 01:38:42,148
AS A BAND OF PROTECTION AGAIT
ANY ATTEMPT TO INVADE RUSSIA.
1580
01:38:42,250 --> 01:38:45,151
TRUMAN FEARED STALIN
WOULD USE THE RED ARMY
1581
01:38:45,253 --> 01:38:47,654
TO FORCE THEM
TO BECOME COMMUNIST.
1582
01:38:48,957 --> 01:38:51,758
"WHOEVER OCCUPIES A TERRITORY,"
STALIN SAID
1583
01:38:51,860 --> 01:38:55,861
"ALSO IMPOSES ON IT
HIS OWN SOCIAL SYSTEM
1584
01:38:55,963 --> 01:38:59,098
AS FAR AS HIS ARMY CAN REACH."
1585
01:39:03,905 --> 01:39:06,306
WHEN TRUMAN AND MOLOTOV
SAT DOWN TO TALK
1586
01:39:06,408 --> 01:39:09,676
THE FATE OF EASTERN EUROPE
STILL HUNG IN THE BALANCE.
1587
01:39:09,778 --> 01:39:13,045
TRUMAN BELIEVED THE SOVIETS
HAD ALREADY VIOLATED
1588
01:39:13,148 --> 01:39:15,548
AN AGREEMENT
NEGOTIATED BY ROOSEVELT
1589
01:39:15,650 --> 01:39:18,217
GUARANTEEING FREE ELECTIONS
IN POLAND.
1590
01:39:18,319 --> 01:39:20,520
THE NEW PRESIDENT
DIDN'T HESITATE
1591
01:39:20,622 --> 01:39:24,056
TO TELL THE SOVIET MINISTER
JUST WHAT HE THOUGHT.
1592
01:39:24,158 --> 01:39:26,637
Shulman:
TRUMAN GAVE HIM
A TONGUE-LASHING...
1593
01:39:26,661 --> 01:39:28,361
"WHY DON'T YOU PEOPLE BEHAVE?
1594
01:39:28,463 --> 01:39:31,530
WHY DON'T YOU RESPECT YOUR
OBLIGATIONS?" AND SO ON.
1595
01:39:31,632 --> 01:39:34,367
AND, ACCORDING TO CHIP BOLIN,
WHO TOLD ME ABOUT THIS
1596
01:39:34,468 --> 01:39:36,769
WHO WAS THE INTERPRETER
AND WAS ON THE SCENE
1597
01:39:36,871 --> 01:39:39,505
SAID MOLOTOV, IN HIS STIFF WAY,
DREW BACK AND SAID
1598
01:39:39,608 --> 01:39:42,441
"I'VE NEVER
BEEN TALKED TO LIKE THIS."
1599
01:39:43,879 --> 01:39:46,679
"WELL, YOU FOLKS BEHAVE AND YOU
WON'T BE TALKED TO LIKE THIS."
1600
01:39:46,781 --> 01:39:48,881
TRUMAN THEN
WALKED OUT OF THE ROOM
1601
01:39:48,983 --> 01:39:50,950
SAW A TOP STATE DEPARTMENT AIDE
1602
01:39:51,052 --> 01:39:53,352
AND SAID TO THE
STATE DEPARTMENT AIDE
1603
01:39:53,454 --> 01:39:56,523
"I JUST GAVE HIM
A STRAIGHT ONE-TWO TO THE JAW."
1604
01:39:56,625 --> 01:39:59,859
AND THEN HE STOPPED
AND LOOKED AT THIS MAN AND SAID
1605
01:39:59,961 --> 01:40:01,728
"DO YOU THINK I DID RIGHT?"
1606
01:40:01,830 --> 01:40:05,298
Narrator:
"I'M HERE TO MAKE DECISIONS,"
TRUMAN SAID.
1607
01:40:05,400 --> 01:40:09,536
"WHETHER THEY PROVE RIGHT OR
WRONG, I'M GOING TO MAKE THEM."
1608
01:40:09,638 --> 01:40:13,039
WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS,
TRUMAN WOULD HAVE TO MAKE
1609
01:40:13,141 --> 01:40:16,208
ONE OF THE MOST
TERRIBLE DECISIONS IN HISTORY.
1610
01:40:26,087 --> 01:40:28,121
WHILE NAZI GERMANY
WAS CRUMBLING
1611
01:40:28,223 --> 01:40:32,458
THE JAPANESE REMAINED
A DANGEROUS, UNYIELDING ENEMY.
1612
01:40:45,540 --> 01:40:49,942
THEY HAD ALREADY TAKEN
OVER 50,000 AMERICAN LIVES
1613
01:40:50,044 --> 01:40:53,446
AND MORE AND MORE
WERE DYING EVERY DAY.
1614
01:40:55,650 --> 01:40:58,584
BUT AMERICA HAD BEEN
DEVELOPING A WEAPON
1615
01:40:58,686 --> 01:41:01,988
THAT MIGHT FORCE THE JAPANESE
TO SURRENDER.
1616
01:41:03,491 --> 01:41:07,493
JUST 13 DAYS IN OFFICE,
TRUMAN WAS HANDED A MEMORANDUM
1617
01:41:07,596 --> 01:41:09,695
BY SECRETARY OF WAR STIMSON.
1618
01:41:09,797 --> 01:41:12,198
"WITHIN FOUR MONTHS,"
TRUMAN READ
1619
01:41:12,300 --> 01:41:15,468
"WE SHALL IN ALL PROBABILITY
HAVE COMPLETED
1620
01:41:15,570 --> 01:41:19,705
THE MOST TERRIBLE WEAPON EVER
KNOWN IN HUMAN HISTORY."
1621
01:41:30,084 --> 01:41:32,051
STIMSON WENT ON TO TELL TRUMAN
1622
01:41:32,153 --> 01:41:34,453
ABOUT THE SECRET SITE
IN NEW MEXICO
1623
01:41:34,556 --> 01:41:37,322
WHERE SCIENTISTS HAD BEEN
WORKING ROUND THE CLOCK
1624
01:41:37,424 --> 01:41:41,193
FOR THE PAST TWO AND A HALF
YEARS TO FASHION A WEAPON
1625
01:41:41,295 --> 01:41:44,397
OUT OF THE ELEMENTAL FORCES
OF THE UNIVERSE.
1626
01:41:44,499 --> 01:41:48,234
BUT IT WOULD STILL BE MONTHS,
STIMSON SAID
1627
01:41:48,336 --> 01:41:50,603
BEFORE ANYONE WOULD KNOW
1628
01:41:50,705 --> 01:41:53,906
WHETHER THE ATOMIC BOMB
WOULD WORK.
1629
01:42:16,064 --> 01:42:19,332
Narrator:
ON MAY 8, TRUMAN'S 61st BIRTHDAY
1630
01:42:19,434 --> 01:42:21,501
NAZI GERMANY SURRENDERED.
1631
01:42:24,271 --> 01:42:26,973
"ISN'T THAT
SOME BIRTHDAY PRESENT?"
1632
01:42:27,075 --> 01:42:29,775
HE WROTE HIS 92-YEAR-OLD MOTHER.
1633
01:42:35,750 --> 01:42:38,418
NOW ONLY JAPAN REMAINED.
1634
01:42:41,756 --> 01:42:46,092
THE VICTORY WON IN THE WEST
MUST NOW BE WON IN THE EAST.
1635
01:42:46,193 --> 01:42:49,595
THE WHOLE WORLD MUST BE CLEANSED
OF THE EVIL
1636
01:42:49,697 --> 01:42:52,965
FROM WHICH HALF THE WORLD
HAS BEEN FREED.
1637
01:42:54,702 --> 01:42:58,337
Narrator:
BUT TRUMAN FEARED THE JAPANESE
WOULD NOT SURRENDER
1638
01:42:58,439 --> 01:43:00,773
WITHOUT A LONG
AND BLOODY STRUGGLE.
1639
01:43:05,045 --> 01:43:07,580
ALREADY THEY HAD BEEN
SEVERELY PUNISHED
1640
01:43:07,682 --> 01:43:10,283
AND YET SHOWED
NO SIGNS OF YIELDING.
1641
01:43:16,390 --> 01:43:18,924
WHILE TRUMAN WAS VICE-PRESIDENT
1642
01:43:19,027 --> 01:43:22,461
AMERICAN B-29s HAD RAINED
THOUSANDS OF TONS OF BOMBS
1643
01:43:22,564 --> 01:43:24,864
ON THE ISLAND NATION.
1644
01:43:27,134 --> 01:43:29,969
FIVE WEEKS BEFORE HE TOOK OFFICE
1645
01:43:30,071 --> 01:43:34,773
AMERICAN PLANES DROPPED
2,000 TONS OF NAPALM ON TOKYO
1646
01:43:34,875 --> 01:43:38,777
BURNING 16 SQUARE MILES
OF THE CITY TO THE GROUND.
1647
01:43:40,080 --> 01:43:44,950
IN A SINGLE DAY,
100,000 JAPANESE WERE KILLED.
1648
01:43:45,053 --> 01:43:47,820
Man:
THE FIRE-BOMBING RAIDS
1649
01:43:47,922 --> 01:43:51,757
PREPARES THE WAY FOR
EVEN MORE DEVASTATING BOMBING.
1650
01:43:51,859 --> 01:43:54,327
WHAT HAS CHANGED IN THE WAR
1651
01:43:54,429 --> 01:43:58,231
IS A REDEFINITION
OF WHAT IS A LEGITIMATE TARGET...
1652
01:43:58,333 --> 01:44:00,766
LEGITIMATE TARGET
IS NOT SIMPLY A CITY
1653
01:44:00,868 --> 01:44:01,948
BUT PEOPLE IN THE CITY
1654
01:44:02,037 --> 01:44:04,937
WHO ARE PRIMARILY NONCOMBATANTS
1655
01:44:05,039 --> 01:44:08,273
IN WHAT IS A REDEFINED,
VIRTUALLY TOTAL WAR
1656
01:44:08,375 --> 01:44:11,043
SO THAT EVERYBODY
BECOMES A TARGET.
1657
01:44:11,146 --> 01:44:14,880
Narrator:
THE BOMBING DESTROYED NEARLY ALL
OF JAPAN'S BIGGEST CITIES
1658
01:44:14,983 --> 01:44:19,485
AND KILLED MORE THAN
A HALF A MILLION CIVILIANS.
1659
01:44:19,587 --> 01:44:22,755
STILL, THE JAPANESE FOUGHT ON.
1660
01:44:22,857 --> 01:44:25,335
McCullough:
TRUMAN KNEW THAT
THEY WERE DEFEATED.
1661
01:44:25,359 --> 01:44:28,461
THEY KNEW THEY WERE DEFEATED;
THAT REALLY WASN'T THE QUESTION.
1662
01:44:28,562 --> 01:44:30,642
THE QUESTION WAS,
WOULD THEY SURRENDER?
1663
01:44:41,242 --> 01:44:44,343
Narrator:
THE BATTLE
FOR THE ISLAND OF OKINAWA
1664
01:44:44,445 --> 01:44:46,111
350 MILES SOUTH OF JAPAN
1665
01:44:46,214 --> 01:44:48,548
PAINTED A BLOODY PORTRAIT
FOR TRUMAN
1666
01:44:48,650 --> 01:44:52,184
OF JUST HOW FEROCIOUS
JAPANESE RESISTANCE COULD BE.
1667
01:44:53,921 --> 01:44:56,755
THE FIGHTING RAGED ON
FOR MONTHS.
1668
01:45:09,070 --> 01:45:14,407
10,000 AMERICANS WERE KILLED,
27,000 WOUNDED.
1669
01:45:18,913 --> 01:45:22,181
AND ENTRENCHED IN THE JUNGLES
AND CAVES OF THE ISLAND
1670
01:45:22,283 --> 01:45:24,950
MORE THAN 100,000
JAPANESE SOLDIERS
1671
01:45:25,052 --> 01:45:29,121
WERE BURNED OR BOMBED TO DEATH
RATHER THAN SURRENDER.
1672
01:45:40,368 --> 01:45:42,834
Lifton:
OKINAWA WAS A BLOODY BATTLE...
1673
01:45:42,936 --> 01:45:48,174
ONE OF THE BLOODIEST BATTLES
OF A VICIOUS WAR.
1674
01:45:48,276 --> 01:45:51,843
AND OKINAWA WAS AN EXAMPLE
1675
01:45:51,945 --> 01:45:54,613
OF HOW MUCH OF
A LAST-DITCH BATTLE
1676
01:45:54,715 --> 01:45:56,615
THE JAPANESE COULD PUT UP...
1677
01:46:01,889 --> 01:46:05,123
AND THE KIND OF BATTLE
THEY MIGHT PUT UP
1678
01:46:05,226 --> 01:46:08,827
ON THEIR HOME ISLANDS,
IN MAN-TO-MAN COMBAT.
1679
01:46:08,929 --> 01:46:12,398
SO OKINAWA COULD BE
TAKEN AS AN INDICATOR
1680
01:46:12,500 --> 01:46:16,334
THAT JAPAN NEEDED DIRE
MEASURES TO DEFEAT IT.
1681
01:46:16,437 --> 01:46:22,107
Narrator:
ON JUNE 1, WITH THE STRUGGLE
FOR OKINAWA REACHING A CLIMAX
1682
01:46:22,209 --> 01:46:23,842
TRUMAN RECEIVED A REPORT
1683
01:46:23,944 --> 01:46:26,211
FROM A COMMITTEE
HE HAD APPOINTED
1684
01:46:26,313 --> 01:46:28,046
TO STUDY THE ATOMIC BOMB.
1685
01:46:28,149 --> 01:46:31,784
THE COMMITTEE URGED THE
PRESIDENT TO USE THE WEAPON...
1686
01:46:31,886 --> 01:46:33,685
WITHOUT WARNING.
1687
01:46:33,788 --> 01:46:37,323
IT DID NOT RECOMMEND
ANY ALTERNATIVES.
1688
01:46:37,425 --> 01:46:41,260
Bernstein:
THE USE OF THE BOMB
WAS NOT A TOPIC OF DEBATE.
1689
01:46:41,362 --> 01:46:45,665
THE ISSUE WAS NEVER,
SHOULD THE BOMB BE USED?
1690
01:46:45,767 --> 01:46:49,402
FOR US, THE BOMB,
WHETHER WE APPROVE OR NOT
1691
01:46:49,503 --> 01:46:51,903
IS A QUESTION THAT
SHOULD HAVE BEEN ASKED.
1692
01:46:52,006 --> 01:46:55,207
FOR THEM, LIVING HISTORY
FORWARD AND NOT BACKWARD
1693
01:46:55,309 --> 01:46:57,008
WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND
1694
01:46:57,110 --> 01:46:59,778
IS THAT THE USE OF THE BOMB
WAS NOT A QUESTION;
1695
01:46:59,881 --> 01:47:01,146
IT WAS AN ANSWER.
1696
01:47:01,248 --> 01:47:04,217
IF THE WEAPON COULD
STOP THE KILLING
1697
01:47:04,319 --> 01:47:07,119
THEN, IT WAS FELT,
IT HAD TO BE USED.
1698
01:47:07,221 --> 01:47:08,587
WAS IT RIGHT?
1699
01:47:08,689 --> 01:47:10,489
WAS IT WRONG?
1700
01:47:10,591 --> 01:47:12,551
I DON'T THINK
THAT WAS THE ISSUE.
1701
01:47:12,626 --> 01:47:14,593
I THINK THEY SAW IT
AS NECESSARY.
1702
01:47:14,695 --> 01:47:16,406
Narrator:
TRUMAN DID NOT KNOW
1703
01:47:16,430 --> 01:47:19,932
THAT SOME OF THE SCIENTISTS
WHO HAD HELPED CREATE THE BOMB
1704
01:47:20,034 --> 01:47:22,802
WERE NOW ACTIVELY ATTEMPTING
TO LIMIT ITS USE.
1705
01:47:22,903 --> 01:47:25,270
THEY ADVOCATED
A DEMONSTRATION BOMB
1706
01:47:25,372 --> 01:47:28,573
THAT WOULD CONVINCE
THE JAPANESE TO SURRENDER.
1707
01:47:28,675 --> 01:47:31,443
THEIR PETITIONS NEVER
REACHED THE PRESIDENT
1708
01:47:31,546 --> 01:47:34,980
BUT IT IS UNLIKELY THEY
COULD HAVE CHANGED HIS MIND.
1709
01:47:35,082 --> 01:47:37,516
I KNOW OF NO OCCASION
1710
01:47:37,619 --> 01:47:41,020
WHEN PRESIDENT TRUMAN
EVER SPOKE ABOUT DOUBTS
1711
01:47:41,122 --> 01:47:42,621
ON... ON USING THE BOMB.
1712
01:47:42,723 --> 01:47:46,158
ALL HIS ADVISERS,
WITHOUT EXCEPTION
1713
01:47:46,260 --> 01:47:48,561
RECOMMENDED THE USE OF THE BOMB
1714
01:47:48,663 --> 01:47:51,096
JUST AS SOON AS
IT WAS AVAILABLE.
1715
01:47:51,198 --> 01:47:53,165
AND HE AGREED WITH THEM.
1716
01:48:00,340 --> 01:48:04,510
Narrator:
BUT THE ATOMIC BOMB
STILL REMAINED UNTESTED.
1717
01:48:04,612 --> 01:48:06,411
NO ONE KNEW IF IT WOULD WORK.
1718
01:48:07,648 --> 01:48:09,515
JUNE 18, TRUMAN AGREED
1719
01:48:09,617 --> 01:48:13,418
TO PLANS TO INVADE
JAPAN IN EARLY NOVEMBER.
1720
01:48:16,791 --> 01:48:18,831
TENS OF THOUSANDS
OF AMERICAN SOLDIERS
1721
01:48:18,926 --> 01:48:22,127
WERE RETURNING FROM
THE BATTLEFIELDS OF EUROPE.
1722
01:48:22,230 --> 01:48:24,863
FOR MOST,
IF THE INVASION WENT FORWARD
1723
01:48:24,965 --> 01:48:26,231
IT WOULD BE JUST WEEKS
1724
01:48:26,333 --> 01:48:29,001
BEFORE THEY WOULD BE
SENT BACK INTO BATTLE...
1725
01:48:29,103 --> 01:48:32,237
THIS TIME,
FIGHTING THE JAPANESE.
1726
01:48:32,339 --> 01:48:35,874
McCullough:
WE WERE GOING TO INVADE
THE HOME ISLANDS
1727
01:48:35,976 --> 01:48:39,277
AND THE LOSS OF LIFE
WOULD BE TERRIBLE.
1728
01:48:39,379 --> 01:48:41,346
AND FOR TRUMAN
1729
01:48:41,448 --> 01:48:44,883
WHETHER IT WAS GOING TO BE
20,000 LIVES OR 100,000 LIVES
1730
01:48:44,985 --> 01:48:46,585
WAS NOT REALLY THE QUESTION.
1731
01:48:46,687 --> 01:48:48,687
THE QUESTION WAS
TO STOP THE KILLING.
1732
01:48:48,756 --> 01:48:54,693
Hamby:
TRUMAN WAS ONE OF THE FEW
PRESIDENTS OF THE 20th CENTURY
1733
01:48:54,795 --> 01:48:59,598
TO HAVE ACTUALLY
EXPERIENCED WARTIME COMBAT.
1734
01:48:59,700 --> 01:49:02,901
HE HAD SEEN CORPSES STACKED UP.
1735
01:49:03,004 --> 01:49:04,703
HE KNEW WHAT WAR WAS LIKE.
1736
01:49:04,806 --> 01:49:08,507
HE WAS VERY, VERY ANXIOUS
TO GET WORLD WAR II OVER WITH
1737
01:49:08,609 --> 01:49:10,175
AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
1738
01:49:10,277 --> 01:49:14,013
Narrator:
ONLY 30 DAYS IN OFFICE,
TRUMAN WAS STILL ADJUSTING
1739
01:49:14,115 --> 01:49:16,348
TO THE ANXIETIES
OF BEING PRESIDENT
1740
01:49:16,451 --> 01:49:20,251
STILL TELLING HIS ADVISERS
THAT HE DIDN'T WANT THE JOB.
1741
01:49:26,627 --> 01:49:29,361
AND BESS NEVER
WANTED TO BE FIRST LADY.
1742
01:49:29,464 --> 01:49:32,231
AFTER JUST ONE MONTH
IN THE WHITE HOUSE
1743
01:49:32,333 --> 01:49:35,467
BESS AND MARGARET
WENT HOME TO INDEPENDENCE.
1744
01:49:35,569 --> 01:49:38,737
McCullough:
BESS DID NOT LIKE
LIVING IN THE WHITE HOUSE.
1745
01:49:38,839 --> 01:49:41,406
SHE FELT VERY UNCOMFORTABLE,
VERY ILL AT EASE
1746
01:49:41,508 --> 01:49:44,509
WITH ALL THE FANFARE AND
THE ATTENTION OF THE PRESS.
1747
01:49:44,611 --> 01:49:49,048
PARTICULARLY WHEN PHOTOGRAPHERS
PRESSED IN AROUND HER
1748
01:49:49,150 --> 01:49:53,352
SHE WOULD FREEZE AND BECOME
KIND OF "OLD STONE FACE"
1749
01:49:53,454 --> 01:49:57,856
AND GET AN EXPRESSION THAT
LOOKED AS IF HER FEET HURT.
1750
01:49:57,958 --> 01:50:00,092
THE SPOTLIGHT, THE LIMELIGHT
1751
01:50:00,194 --> 01:50:02,928
DID NOT APPEAL
TO BESS TRUMAN, EVER.
1752
01:50:03,030 --> 01:50:05,664
AND SHE WOULD RETURN HOME
TO INDEPENDENCE
1753
01:50:05,766 --> 01:50:07,232
AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE
1754
01:50:07,334 --> 01:50:13,171
LEAVING THE PRESIDENT FEELING
VERY ALONE, OFTEN DESOLATE.
1755
01:50:13,274 --> 01:50:17,009
IT'S HARD FOR SOME
PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND
1756
01:50:17,111 --> 01:50:20,679
WHAT SHE WAS LIKE AND WHY THE
PRESIDENT WAS SO DEVOTED TO HER.
1757
01:50:20,781 --> 01:50:22,347
BUT HE ADORED HER.
1758
01:50:22,450 --> 01:50:25,283
THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.
1759
01:50:25,385 --> 01:50:28,954
Roll:
I THINK SHE WAS
A VERY SHY PERSON
1760
01:50:29,056 --> 01:50:32,358
VERY ILL AT EASE IN
THAT KIND OF AN ENVIRONMENT.
1761
01:50:32,460 --> 01:50:34,093
WHEN SHE WAS IN THE WHITE HOUSE
1762
01:50:34,195 --> 01:50:37,396
SHE USED TO HAVE HER OLD BRIDGE
CLUB FROM MISSOURI COME UP.
1763
01:50:37,498 --> 01:50:38,797
AND I THINK PROBABLY
1764
01:50:38,899 --> 01:50:42,100
THAT'S THE ONLY TIME
SHE WAS REALLY COMFORTABLE.
1765
01:50:42,202 --> 01:50:45,004
THERE REALLY WAS
NOT A GOOD NICHE FOR HER.
1766
01:50:45,106 --> 01:50:49,308
AND I DON'T THINK SHE EVER
REALLY ENJOYED THE PUBLIC EYE.
1767
01:50:51,078 --> 01:50:53,590
Narrator:
BESS TRUMAN'S
FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE
1768
01:50:53,614 --> 01:50:55,246
CONFIRMED HER WORST FEARS.
1769
01:50:55,349 --> 01:51:00,619
Newsreel announcer:
AT THE NATIONAL AIRPORT,
AMBULANCES WITH WINGS...
1770
01:51:00,721 --> 01:51:02,454
ONE EACH FOR NAVY AND ARMY
1771
01:51:02,556 --> 01:51:05,157
READY TO BE CHRISTENED
BY MRS. HARRY S. TRUMAN
1772
01:51:05,259 --> 01:51:07,025
IN HER FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE.
1773
01:51:07,128 --> 01:51:09,728
BUT MRS. TRUMAN IS
IN FOR A SURPRISE.
1774
01:51:09,830 --> 01:51:10,862
OH, DEAR!
1775
01:51:23,777 --> 01:51:25,711
Announcer:
REFUSING TO BE RATTLED
1776
01:51:25,813 --> 01:51:28,814
THE NEW FIRST LADY JOINS
IN THE CROWD'S LAUGHTER.
1777
01:51:28,916 --> 01:51:32,084
BY AN OVERSIGHT, THE CHAMPAGNE
BOTTLE, UNLIKE THIS ONE
1778
01:51:32,186 --> 01:51:34,019
HASN'T BEEN PROPERLY PREPARED...
1779
01:51:34,121 --> 01:51:36,588
ETCHED TO BREAK
THE GLASS ON IMPACT.
1780
01:51:44,098 --> 01:51:45,897
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL.
1781
01:51:48,835 --> 01:51:52,304
Narrator:
TRUMAN SMILED WHEN
HE SAW THE NEWSREEL
1782
01:51:52,406 --> 01:51:54,039
AS DID MOST OF AMERICA
1783
01:51:54,141 --> 01:51:57,175
BUT BESS IS SAID TO
HAVE TOLD HER HUSBAND
1784
01:51:57,277 --> 01:52:00,579
SHE WISHED SHE HAD
SWUNG THE BOTTLE AT HIM.
1785
01:52:07,521 --> 01:52:10,622
ON JULY 7, THE START OF
HIS FOURTH MONTH IN OFFICE
1786
01:52:10,724 --> 01:52:12,536
TRUMAN STEAMED
ACROSS THE ATLANTIC
1787
01:52:12,560 --> 01:52:14,560
ON THE UNITED STATES
CRUISER AUGUSTA.
1788
01:52:14,595 --> 01:52:17,896
POTSDAM, GERMANY.
1789
01:52:17,998 --> 01:52:20,698
"DEAR BESS,
I SURE DREAD THIS TRIP
1790
01:52:20,801 --> 01:52:23,903
"WORSE THAN ANYTHING
I'VE HAD TO FACE.
1791
01:52:24,005 --> 01:52:26,237
BUT IT HAS TO BE DONE."
1792
01:52:26,339 --> 01:52:30,075
WITH SCIENTISTS AT LOS ALAMOS
POISED TO TEST THE ATOMIC BOMB
1793
01:52:30,177 --> 01:52:33,278
TRUMAN WAS ABOUT TO BEGIN
A SERIES OF NEGOTIATIONS
1794
01:52:33,381 --> 01:52:36,682
THAT WOULD DETERMINE THE
FATE OF THE POSTWAR WORLD.
1795
01:52:38,419 --> 01:52:40,819
HE HAD BEEN
TO EUROPE ONLY ONCE BEFORE
1796
01:52:40,921 --> 01:52:44,723
AS A SOLDIER ON
THE WESTERN FRONT.
1797
01:52:44,825 --> 01:52:49,027
NOW HE WAS PRESIDENT
OF THE UNITED STATES
1798
01:52:49,129 --> 01:52:52,797
PREPARING TO MEET TWO OF THE
LEGENDS OF THE 20th CENTURY...
1799
01:52:52,900 --> 01:52:55,668
WINSTON CHURCHILL
AND JOSEPH STALIN.
1800
01:52:55,770 --> 01:52:59,938
"MR. GREAT BRITAIN" AND "MR.
RUSSIA," TRUMAN CALLED THEM.
1801
01:53:03,710 --> 01:53:06,978
McCullough:
TRUMAN HAD TO STEP
ONTO THE WORLD STAGE
1802
01:53:07,080 --> 01:53:10,549
WITH TWO OF THE MOST
COLOSSAL FIGURES OF THE CENTURY
1803
01:53:10,651 --> 01:53:13,819
TWO CONSUMMATE PERFORMERS,
CONSUMMATE ACTORS
1804
01:53:13,921 --> 01:53:17,823
WHO ARE VERY ACCUSTOMED
TO COMMANDING THE STAGE.
1805
01:53:17,925 --> 01:53:19,725
AND WHO IS HE?
1806
01:53:19,827 --> 01:53:25,297
Narrator:
"DEAR BESS, THE PRIME MINISTER
CAME TO SEE ME THIS MORNING."
1807
01:53:26,633 --> 01:53:28,211
McCullough:
TRUMAN IS SUFFERING
1808
01:53:28,235 --> 01:53:30,469
FROM A CONSIDERABLE
AMOUNT OF STAGE FRIGHT.
1809
01:53:30,571 --> 01:53:34,673
HE KNOWS THAT CHURCHILL HAD
BEEN FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY
1810
01:53:34,775 --> 01:53:38,944
WHEN HARRY TRUMAN WAS STILL
PLOWING FIELDS BACK IN MISSOURI.
1811
01:53:39,046 --> 01:53:41,279
HE KNOWS ALSO
THE AFFECTION, THE BOND
1812
01:53:41,381 --> 01:53:43,348
BETWEEN ROOSEVELT AND CHURCHILL
1813
01:53:43,450 --> 01:53:47,219
AND WONDERS IF EVER HE CAN
ATTAIN THAT KIND OF RESPECT.
1814
01:53:47,321 --> 01:53:49,355
Narrator:
CHURCHILL LIKED TRUMAN
1815
01:53:49,457 --> 01:53:52,257
BUT THE MAN FROM MISSOURI
WAS NOT IMPRESSED
1816
01:53:52,359 --> 01:53:54,493
BY THE PRIME
MINISTER'S FLATTERY.
1817
01:53:54,595 --> 01:53:56,929
"CHURCHILGAVE ME
A LOT OF HOOEY"
1818
01:53:57,031 --> 01:53:58,864
TRUMAN WROTE IN HIS DIARY.
1819
01:53:58,965 --> 01:54:01,232
"WELL, I'M SURE WE CAN GET ALONG
1820
01:54:01,334 --> 01:54:04,903
IF HE DOESN'T TRY
TO GIVE ME TOO MUCH SOFT SOAP."
1821
01:54:14,147 --> 01:54:19,084
FOLLOWING CHURCHILL'S VISIT,
TRUMAN ASKED TO SEE BERLIN.
1822
01:54:23,590 --> 01:54:26,191
FOR MONTHS,
THE GERMAN CAPITAL HAD BEEN
1823
01:54:26,293 --> 01:54:28,226
THE TARGET OF ALLIED BOMBS.
1824
01:54:31,264 --> 01:54:34,933
TRUMAN RECORDED HIS
REACTIONS IN HIS DIARY.
1825
01:54:36,737 --> 01:54:39,571
"I NEVER SAW SUCH DESTRUCTION.
1826
01:54:39,674 --> 01:54:42,374
"I THOUGHT OF CARTHAGE...
1827
01:54:42,476 --> 01:54:44,643
"ROME...
1828
01:54:44,745 --> 01:54:47,212
BABYLON."
1829
01:54:51,117 --> 01:54:53,885
"WHAT A PITY THE HUMAN ANIMAL
1830
01:54:53,988 --> 01:54:59,057
"IS NOT ABLE TO PUT HIS MORAL
THINKING INTO PRACTICE.
1831
01:54:59,159 --> 01:55:04,095
I FEAR THAT MACHINES ARE AHEAD
OF MORALS BY SOME CENTURIES."
1832
01:55:09,537 --> 01:55:11,480
Man on intercom:
Eight, seven, six...
1833
01:55:11,504 --> 01:55:13,939
Narrator:
WHILE TRUMAN WAS TOURING BERLIN
1834
01:55:14,041 --> 01:55:16,041
THE FIRST ATOMIC BOMB
WAS EXPLODED
1835
01:55:16,143 --> 01:55:18,043
OVER THE DESERTS OF NEW MEXICO.
1836
01:55:18,145 --> 01:55:19,665
Man:
now.
1837
01:55:38,632 --> 01:55:42,234
TRUMAN RETURNED FROM HIS TOUR
OF A DEVASTATED BERLIN
1838
01:55:42,336 --> 01:55:46,271
TO FIND SECRETARY OF WAR
STIMSON, WITH A CODED TELEGRAM.
1839
01:55:46,373 --> 01:55:48,640
"OPERATED ON THIS MORNING,"
IT READ.
1840
01:55:48,742 --> 01:55:52,978
"DIAGNOSIS NOT YET COMPLETE,
BUT RESULTS SEEM SATISFACTORY
1841
01:55:53,080 --> 01:55:56,448
AND ALREADY
EXCEED EXPECTATIONS."
1842
01:55:56,550 --> 01:56:00,418
THE PRESIDENT NOW KNEW THAT
THE ATOMIC BOMB WOULD WORK.
1843
01:56:00,520 --> 01:56:02,587
PLANS WERE ALREADY IN MOTION
1844
01:56:02,689 --> 01:56:05,924
TO DROP A SECOND BOMB
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE...
1845
01:56:06,026 --> 01:56:07,458
THIS ONE ON JAPAN.
1846
01:56:10,898 --> 01:56:14,866
THE NEXT DAY,
STALIN CAME TO CALL.
1847
01:56:14,969 --> 01:56:17,869
"A FEW MINUTES BEFORE 12:00,"
TRUMAN WROTE
1848
01:56:17,971 --> 01:56:19,771
"I LOOKED UP FROM MY DESK
1849
01:56:19,873 --> 01:56:22,673
"AND THERE STOOD STALIN
IN THE DOORWAY.
1850
01:56:22,776 --> 01:56:25,944
"I GOT TO MY FEET
AND ADVANCED TO MEET HIM.
1851
01:56:26,046 --> 01:56:29,381
HE PUT OUT HIS HAND AND SMILED."
1852
01:56:29,483 --> 01:56:33,918
ONE DAY, TRUMAN AND STALIN WOULD
CONFRONT EACH OTHER AS ENEMIES
1853
01:56:34,020 --> 01:56:36,955
IN THE MOST DANGEROUS
IDEOLOGICAL CONFLICT
1854
01:56:37,057 --> 01:56:38,891
IN ALL OF HISTORY.
1855
01:56:38,993 --> 01:56:42,694
BUT ON JULY 17, THE UNITED
STATES AND THE SOVIET UNION
1856
01:56:42,797 --> 01:56:46,331
WERE ALLIES WHO HAD JUST
DEFEATED A TERRIBLE ENEMY.
1857
01:56:46,433 --> 01:56:48,867
BOTH MEN WERE
CORDIAL AND FRIENDLY.
1858
01:56:48,969 --> 01:56:51,769
Hamby:
TRUMAN WAS RATHER
IMPRESSED BY STALIN.
1859
01:56:51,805 --> 01:56:56,875
HE THOUGHT THAT
HERE WAS A TOUGH GUY.
1860
01:56:56,977 --> 01:57:00,445
STALIN STRUCK HIM
AS FRANK AND STRAIGHTFORWARD...
1861
01:57:00,547 --> 01:57:04,783
A SORT OF POLITICAL BOSS TYPE
1862
01:57:04,885 --> 01:57:09,888
WHO WOULD KEEP HIS WORD
ONCE HE GAVE IT.
1863
01:57:09,990 --> 01:57:12,957
Narrator:
TRUMAN SAID LATER
THAT STALIN REMINDED HIM
1864
01:57:13,059 --> 01:57:15,327
OF THE MISSOURI KINGPIN
TOM PENDERGAST.
1865
01:57:15,429 --> 01:57:19,865
McCullough:
JOSEPH STALIN WAS
NOTHING LIKE TOM PENDERGAST.
1866
01:57:19,967 --> 01:57:21,700
THIS WAS ONE OF
1867
01:57:21,802 --> 01:57:28,039
THE MOST BLOODTHIRSTY,
MURDERING, EVIL MEN OF OUR TIME.
1868
01:57:28,141 --> 01:57:30,341
BUT TRUMAN HAD
THAT VERY AMERICAN IDEA
1869
01:57:30,444 --> 01:57:31,976
THAT OLD AMERICAN IDEA
1870
01:57:32,078 --> 01:57:34,279
THAT IF HE COULD
JUST MEET THE FELLOW
1871
01:57:34,381 --> 01:57:37,315
SHAKE HIS HAND, LOOK HIM
IN THE EYE, SIZE HIM UP
1872
01:57:37,417 --> 01:57:40,185
THAT THEY COULD WORK
TOGETHER, WORK THINGS OUT
1873
01:57:40,287 --> 01:57:42,120
AND EVERYTHING WOULD BE OKAY.
1874
01:57:42,223 --> 01:57:45,156
Narrator:
"I CAN DEAL WITH STALIN,"
TRUMAN WROTE.
1875
01:57:45,259 --> 01:57:48,093
"HE IS HONEST
BUT SMART AS HELL."
1876
01:57:48,195 --> 01:57:51,763
STALIN WAS LESS SANGUINE.
1877
01:57:51,865 --> 01:57:55,434
HE TOLD AN AIDE
THAT TRUMAN WAS WORTHLESS.
1878
01:57:55,536 --> 01:57:57,902
THE SOVIET DICTATOR
HAD ALREADY DETERMINED
1879
01:57:58,004 --> 01:58:00,772
THAT HE WOULD SURRENDER
NOTHING OF ANY CONSEQUENCE
1880
01:58:00,875 --> 01:58:03,274
WHEN THE BARGAINING BEGAN.
1881
01:58:09,182 --> 01:58:14,186
THAT EVENING, JULY 17, TRUMAN,
STALIN AND CHURCHILL SAT DOWN
1882
01:58:14,288 --> 01:58:17,322
TO DISCUSS
THE FATE OF EASTERN EUROPE.
1883
01:58:18,592 --> 01:58:20,625
LaFeber:
THE SOVIET ARMY IS OCCUPYING
1884
01:58:20,727 --> 01:58:23,061
EASTERN EUROPE AND
PARTS OF CENTRAL EUROPE
1885
01:58:23,163 --> 01:58:24,296
AND THE QUESTION IS:
1886
01:58:24,398 --> 01:58:26,932
HOW DO YOU NEGOTIATE
THE RUSSIAN ARMIES
1887
01:58:27,034 --> 01:58:29,100
OUT OF CENTRAL
AND EASTERN EUROPE?
1888
01:58:29,202 --> 01:58:33,037
Narrator:
OVER THE NEXT 17 DAYS, TRUMAN
WOULD TRY TO CONVINCE STALIN
1889
01:58:33,139 --> 01:58:36,841
TO WITHDRAW HIS ARMIES AND ALLOW
THE COUNTRIES OF EASTERN EUROPE
1890
01:58:36,943 --> 01:58:39,244
TO HOLD FREE ELECTIONS.
1891
01:58:40,513 --> 01:58:44,182
"DEAR BESS,
THE FIRST SESSION WAS YESTERDAY.
1892
01:58:44,284 --> 01:58:48,553
"IT MAKES PRESIDING OVER
THE SENATE SEEM TAME.
1893
01:58:48,655 --> 01:58:51,189
"THE BOYS SAY
I GAVE THEM AN EARFUL.
1894
01:58:51,291 --> 01:58:52,390
"I HOPE SO.
1895
01:58:52,493 --> 01:58:53,825
"I WAS SO SCARED.
1896
01:58:53,927 --> 01:58:55,326
"I DIDN'T KNOW
1897
01:58:55,428 --> 01:58:59,063
WHETHER THINGS WERE GOING
ACCORDING TO HOYLE OR NOT."
1898
01:59:05,739 --> 01:59:08,406
WHILE TRUMAN WAS
NEGOTIATING IN GERMANY
1899
01:59:08,508 --> 01:59:12,043
THEENOLA GAY, A SPECIALLY
MODIFIED, LIGHTWEIGHT B-29
1900
01:59:12,145 --> 01:59:14,713
WAS SOARING HIGH ABOVE
THE ISLAND OF TINIAN
1901
01:59:14,815 --> 01:59:16,581
FAR AWAY IN THE PACIFIC
1902
01:59:16,683 --> 01:59:20,619
REHEARSING MANEUVERS
TO DROP THE ATOMIC BOMB.
1903
01:59:20,721 --> 01:59:24,189
A LIST OF FOUR TARGET CITIES
HAD BEEN PREPARED.
1904
01:59:24,291 --> 01:59:25,757
IT WAS NOW ALL BUT CERTAIN
1905
01:59:25,859 --> 01:59:28,593
THAT THE BOMB WOULD
BE USED ON ONE OF THEM
1906
01:59:28,695 --> 01:59:30,895
WITHIN THE NEXT THREE WEEKS.
1907
01:59:30,997 --> 01:59:32,809
Elsey:
IT WAS ABSOLUTELY INEVITABLE.
1908
01:59:32,833 --> 01:59:35,801
IT WAS A WEAPON
THAT COULD BRING THE WAR
1909
01:59:35,902 --> 01:59:39,237
TO AN EARLY... AN IMMEDIATE END.
1910
01:59:39,340 --> 01:59:41,184
AND IN MY VIEW,
HAD ANY PRESIDENT...
1911
01:59:41,208 --> 01:59:44,643
TRUMAN OR ANYONE ELSE...
NOT USED THE BOMB
1912
01:59:44,745 --> 01:59:47,512
THAT MAN WOULD HAVE BEEN
SUBJECT TO IMPEACHMENT.
1913
01:59:47,614 --> 01:59:49,080
HERE'S A DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT
1914
01:59:49,182 --> 01:59:53,918
AND THE PLAN IS ABOUT
TO MOVE ALL OUR ARMY NOW
1915
01:59:54,021 --> 01:59:55,821
INTO THE PACIFIC
1916
01:59:55,923 --> 01:59:58,556
TO INVADE JAPAN WITH
WHO KNOWS WHAT CASUALTIES
1917
01:59:58,658 --> 02:00:02,427
AND YEARS LATER, THE PUBLIC... OR
A FEW MONTHS LATER OR SOMETIME...
1918
02:00:02,529 --> 02:00:04,596
IT LEAKS OUT
THAT THE PRESIDENT HAD
1919
02:00:04,698 --> 02:00:07,432
A BOMB THAT WOULD
HAVE ENDED ALL OF THAT
1920
02:00:07,534 --> 02:00:10,902
WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED
TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY?
1921
02:00:11,005 --> 02:00:12,982
WHAT WOULD HAVE
HAPPENED TO TRUMAN?
1922
02:00:13,006 --> 02:00:16,807
LaFeber:
IT WAS QUITE CLEAR THAT THE BOMB
WOULD NOT ONLY SHORTEN THE WAR
1923
02:00:16,909 --> 02:00:19,010
BUT IT COULD BE
THE KIND OF WEAPON
1924
02:00:19,112 --> 02:00:23,214
THAT THE OTHER POWERS WITH
WHICH TRUMAN HAD TO DEAL
1925
02:00:23,316 --> 02:00:25,917
WOULD BE IN AWE OF.
1926
02:00:26,019 --> 02:00:27,930
CONSEQUENTLY,
THERE WAS NO QUESTION
1927
02:00:27,954 --> 02:00:30,488
ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT TRUMAN
WAS GOING TO USE THE BOMB.
1928
02:00:30,590 --> 02:00:32,468
THE QUESTION WAS
WHEN AND HOW AND WHERE.
1929
02:00:32,492 --> 02:00:36,995
Narrator:
AT POTSDAM, THE NEGOTIATIONS
WERE GOING NOWHERE.
1930
02:00:37,097 --> 02:00:40,565
THE FIRST THREE SESSIONS
HAD ENDED IN STALEMATE.
1931
02:00:44,671 --> 02:00:48,572
ON JULY 19, IN THE SPIRIT OF
THEIR WAR-INSPIRED PARTNERSHIP
1932
02:00:48,675 --> 02:00:51,042
TRUMAN THREW A PARTY
FOR CHURCHILL AND STALIN
1933
02:00:51,144 --> 02:00:54,345
AND FLEW IN TWO YOUNG
AMERICAN G.I.s TO ENTERTAIN:
1934
02:00:54,447 --> 02:00:59,551
PIANIST EUGENE LIST
AND VIOLINIST STUART CANIN.
1935
02:00:59,652 --> 02:01:03,355
Canin:
I WAS SO NERVOUS
WHEN I STARTED TO PLAY.
1936
02:01:03,457 --> 02:01:05,256
I THINK I WAS SHAKING.
1937
02:01:05,358 --> 02:01:08,092
NOW, I'VE BEEN A PROFESSIONAL
VIOLINIST FOR 50 YEARS
1938
02:01:08,195 --> 02:01:10,928
AND I HAVE NEVER PLAYED
FOR AN AUDIENCE LIKE THAT.
1939
02:01:11,030 --> 02:01:15,066
I MEAN, I COULD BARELY
HOLD THE BOW ON THE STRING.
1940
02:01:15,168 --> 02:01:18,069
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE EVER
SEEN A LITTLE UPRIGHT PIANO
1941
02:01:18,172 --> 02:01:20,015
BUT IT HAS KIND OF
A BUM PIANO RACK
1942
02:01:20,039 --> 02:01:22,306
AND THE MUSIC WAS NOT
STAYING PUT VERY WELL
1943
02:01:22,408 --> 02:01:23,842
AND TRUMAN LEAPED UP
1944
02:01:23,943 --> 02:01:26,678
AND HE JUST TURNED
THE PAGES FOR GENE
1945
02:01:26,780 --> 02:01:28,558
WHICH WAS
QUITE EXCITING TO HAVE
1946
02:01:28,582 --> 02:01:31,649
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES TURN PAGES FOR YOU.
1947
02:01:35,689 --> 02:01:38,601
Narrator:
ONE NIGHT, THE PRESIDENT
SAT DOWN AT THE PIANO
1948
02:01:38,625 --> 02:01:40,258
AND PLAYED FOR CANIN AND LIST
1949
02:01:40,360 --> 02:01:42,400
A PIECE HE HAD PRACTICED
FOR LONG HOURS
1950
02:01:42,463 --> 02:01:45,029
AS A BOY
IN INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI.
1951
02:01:46,599 --> 02:01:49,434
Canin:
THE MAN HAD
GREAT FEELING FOR MUSIC.
1952
02:01:49,536 --> 02:01:52,837
HE DIDN'T ALWAYS HAVE THE
TECHNIQUE TO DO WHAT HE WANTED
1953
02:01:52,940 --> 02:01:54,873
BUT THE FEELING WAS THERE
1954
02:01:54,975 --> 02:02:00,412
AND YOU COULD SENSE
THAT HE REALLY LOVED MUSIC.
1955
02:02:00,514 --> 02:02:02,814
HE SAID, "I WONDER
1956
02:02:02,916 --> 02:02:05,650
"HOW MUCH BETTER OFF
THE COUNTRY WOULD HAVE BEEN
1957
02:02:05,752 --> 02:02:08,819
IF I HAD BECOME
A CONCERT PIANIST?"
1958
02:02:08,922 --> 02:02:11,623
AMAZING FOR
A PRESIDENT TO SAY THAT!
1959
02:02:16,997 --> 02:02:21,466
McCullough:
HE TOOK MUSIC
VERY MUCH TO HEART.
1960
02:02:21,568 --> 02:02:24,269
HE ADORED GOOD MUSIC.
1961
02:02:24,371 --> 02:02:26,304
HE ONCE WROTE TO BESS
1962
02:02:26,406 --> 02:02:30,275
"DID YOU EVER HEAR AN OVERTURE
PERFORMED BY A FINE ORCHESTRA
1963
02:02:30,377 --> 02:02:33,211
"AND IMAGINE THAT THINGS
WERE AS THEY OUGHT TO BE
1964
02:02:33,313 --> 02:02:35,046
INSTEAD OF AS THEY ARE?"
1965
02:02:41,722 --> 02:02:43,721
Narrator:
ON JULY 21
1966
02:02:43,823 --> 02:02:46,858
TWO DAYS AFTER TRUMAN'S PARTY
FOR CHURCHILL AND STALIN
1967
02:02:46,960 --> 02:02:48,226
THE PRESIDENT RECEIVED
1968
02:02:48,328 --> 02:02:51,696
A DESCRIPTION OF THE TEST
OF THE ATOMIC BOMB.
1969
02:02:51,798 --> 02:02:53,097
FOR THE FIRST TIME
1970
02:02:53,199 --> 02:02:56,234
HE BECAME FULLY AWARE
OF ITS AWESOME POWER.
1971
02:02:58,504 --> 02:03:03,241
TRUMAN WAS TOLD THAT 13 POUNDS
OF EXPLOSIVES HAD EVAPORATED
1972
02:03:03,343 --> 02:03:05,910
A STEEL TOWER 60 FEET HIGH
1973
02:03:06,012 --> 02:03:10,348
LEFT A CRATER IN THE NEW MEXICAN
DESERT MORE THAN TWO MILES WIDE
1974
02:03:10,450 --> 02:03:13,818
KNOCKED DOWN MEN
10,000 YARDS AWAY
1975
02:03:13,920 --> 02:03:17,288
AND WAS VISIBLE
FOR MORE THAN 200 MILES.
1976
02:03:17,390 --> 02:03:19,457
TRUMAN WROTE IN HIS DIARY
1977
02:03:19,559 --> 02:03:22,227
"WE HAVE DISCOVERED
THE MOST TERRIBLE BOMB
1978
02:03:22,329 --> 02:03:24,728
"IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD.
1979
02:03:24,831 --> 02:03:26,764
"IT MAY BE THE FIRE DESTRUCTION
1980
02:03:26,866 --> 02:03:30,501
PROPHESIED AFTER NOAH
AND HIS FABULOUS ARK."
1981
02:03:33,941 --> 02:03:37,142
"I HAVE TOLD THE SECRETARY
OF WAR, MR. STIMSON
1982
02:03:37,244 --> 02:03:39,877
"TO USE IT SO THAT
MILITARY OBJECTIVES
1983
02:03:39,979 --> 02:03:42,781
"AND SOLDIERS AND SAILORS
ARE THE TARGET
1984
02:03:42,883 --> 02:03:45,283
AND NOT WOMEN AND CHILDREN."
1985
02:03:45,385 --> 02:03:51,022
Hamby:
HE TELLS HIMSELF IN A DIARY
ENTRY THAT HE WROTE AT THAT TIME
1986
02:03:51,124 --> 02:03:54,558
THAT, "OF COURSE,
THE BOMB WILL BE USED
1987
02:03:54,660 --> 02:03:56,928
"AGAINST A MILITARY TARGET
1988
02:03:57,030 --> 02:03:59,698
"BECAUSE NO MATTER HOW BAD
THE JAPANESE HAVE BEEN
1989
02:03:59,800 --> 02:04:01,932
WE CAN'T KILL
WOMEN AND CHILDREN."
1990
02:04:02,034 --> 02:04:07,905
BUT HE HAD TO HAVE SOME
UNDERSTANDING AT POTSDAM
1991
02:04:08,007 --> 02:04:10,074
THAT HE WAS KIDDING HIMSELF.
1992
02:04:10,176 --> 02:04:12,009
IT WAS WISHFUL THINKING.
1993
02:04:12,112 --> 02:04:15,413
Lifton:
HE'S AWARE THAT IT'LL BE MUCH
MORE THAN A MILITARY TARGET.
1994
02:04:15,515 --> 02:04:19,283
IT'LL KILL LARGE NUMBERS
OF ORDINARY CIVILIANS.
1995
02:04:19,385 --> 02:04:20,885
BUT YOU MUST REMEMBER
1996
02:04:20,987 --> 02:04:25,456
HE, LIKE ALL OTHER AMERICANS,
SAW THIS AS A WAR AGAINST EVIL
1997
02:04:25,559 --> 02:04:28,626
AND THERE WAS A LOT OF
EVIL OUT THERE, REAL EVIL
1998
02:04:28,728 --> 02:04:32,730
ON THE PART OF THE NAZIS AND
JAPANESE MILITARISM AND FASCISM.
1999
02:04:32,832 --> 02:04:38,770
IN THAT SENSE, HE CAN BELIEVE
THAT THE BOMB IS JUSTIFIED
2000
02:04:38,872 --> 02:04:43,541
AND THAT THIS GREATEST WEAPON
EVER DEVELOPED HAS A PLACE
2001
02:04:43,643 --> 02:04:46,344
IN OVERCOMING OR COMBATING EVIL.
2002
02:04:50,082 --> 02:04:53,184
Narrator:
THE DAY AFTER TRUMAN
LEARNED OF THE BOMB'S POWER
2003
02:04:53,286 --> 02:04:55,786
HE CONFRONTED STALIN
WITH NEW CONFIDENCE.
2004
02:04:55,888 --> 02:04:58,690
SECRETARY OF WAR STIMSON
WROTE IN HIS DIARY
2005
02:04:58,792 --> 02:05:01,959
THAT THE PRESIDENT WAS
"TREMENDOUSLY PEPPED UP."
2006
02:05:02,062 --> 02:05:04,863
IN HIS HIGH-STAKES GAME
WITH THE SOVIET DICTATOR
2007
02:05:04,965 --> 02:05:07,398
TRUMAN NOW HAD
A NEW CARD TO PLAY.
2008
02:05:07,500 --> 02:05:10,502
LaFeber:
AND CHURCHILL LATER SAID
THAT TRUMAN...
2009
02:05:10,604 --> 02:05:14,038
ONCE HE HEARD THE NEWS
THAT THE ATOMIC BOMB WORKED...
2010
02:05:14,141 --> 02:05:15,874
WAS "A CHANGED MAN."
2011
02:05:15,975 --> 02:05:18,275
IT WAS QUITE CLEAR
TO TRUMAN NOW THAT HE HAD
2012
02:05:18,377 --> 02:05:21,879
AS HE WOULD LATER SAY, "AN ACE
IN THE HOLE AND AN ACE SHOWING."
2013
02:05:21,981 --> 02:05:25,050
THAT IS TO SAY, THE ACE IN
THE HOLE WAS A ATOMIC BOMB;
2014
02:05:25,152 --> 02:05:28,252
THE ACE SHOWING WAS AMERICAN
ECONOMIC AND MILITARY POWER.
2015
02:05:28,354 --> 02:05:31,234
Narrator:
ON JULY 24,
TRUMAN ROSE FROM HIS CHAIR
2016
02:05:31,290 --> 02:05:33,391
AND WALKED SLOWLY
AROUND THE TABLE
2017
02:05:33,493 --> 02:05:36,594
TO HAVE A PRIVATE WORD
WITH THE SOVIET DICTATOR.
2018
02:05:36,697 --> 02:05:38,562
"I CASUALLY MENTIONED TO STALIN
2019
02:05:38,664 --> 02:05:41,999
THAT WE HAD A NEW WEAPON
OF UNUSUAL DESTRUCTIVE FORCE"
2020
02:05:42,101 --> 02:05:43,702
TRUMAN LATER WROTE.
2021
02:05:43,804 --> 02:05:46,971
"ALL HE SAID WAS THAT HE WAS
GLAD TO HEAR IT, AND HOPED
2022
02:05:47,073 --> 02:05:50,374
WE WOULD MAKE 'GOOD USE
OF IT AGAINST THE JAPANESE.'"
2023
02:05:50,476 --> 02:05:55,579
Elsey:
STALIN WAS SO BLAND AND
SEEMINGLY UNCONCERNED ABOUT IT
2024
02:05:55,681 --> 02:05:57,115
THAT, ON THE AMERICAN SIDE
2025
02:06:00,086 --> 02:06:02,098
THERETHE IMPORT OFSTION
AS WHAT TRUMAN WAS SAYING.OOD
2026
02:06:02,122 --> 02:06:04,633
LaFeber:
WHAT WE KNOW NOW
IS THAT STALIN KNEW
2027
02:06:04,657 --> 02:06:06,924
EXACTLY ABOUT
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BOMB
2028
02:06:07,026 --> 02:06:11,129
BECAUSE OF SOVIET SPIES
AT LOS ALAMOS, IN NEW MEXICO.
2029
02:06:11,231 --> 02:06:14,632
WE ALSO KNOW THAT AS SOON AS
STALIN WALKED OUT OF THAT ROOM
2030
02:06:14,734 --> 02:06:17,368
STALIN IMMEDIATELY GOT
IN TOUCH WITH THE MAN
2031
02:06:17,471 --> 02:06:20,404
WHO WAS THE DIRECTOR OF
THE SOVIET ATOMIC BOMB PROJECT
2032
02:06:20,507 --> 02:06:23,774
AND SAID THAT HE MUST GET TO
WORK AND ACCELERATE THE PROJECT.
2033
02:06:23,876 --> 02:06:25,576
Narrator:
MEANWHILE
2034
02:06:25,678 --> 02:06:29,614
THE PREPARATION TO BOMB JAPAN
MOVED INEXORABLY FORWARD.
2035
02:06:30,816 --> 02:06:33,484
TWO ATOMIC BOMBS
WERE NEARLY READY.
2036
02:06:33,587 --> 02:06:36,921
SEVEN MORE WERE ON THE WAY.
2037
02:06:37,023 --> 02:06:42,026
ON JULY 25, TRUMAN GAVE CONTROL
OF THE BOMBS TO THE MILITARY
2038
02:06:42,128 --> 02:06:43,827
AND ORDERED THAT THEY BE USED
2039
02:06:43,930 --> 02:06:46,531
AS SOON AS
THE POTSDAM CONFERENCE WAS OVER.
2040
02:06:47,800 --> 02:06:49,266
THE NEXT DAY
2041
02:06:49,368 --> 02:06:53,905
THE JAPANESE WERE GIVEN
ONE LAST CHANCE TO SURRENDER.
2042
02:06:54,007 --> 02:06:57,508
"WE CALL UPON THE GOVERNMENT
OF JAPAN TO PROCLAIM NOW
2043
02:06:57,610 --> 02:07:01,679
THE UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER OF
ALL THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES"
2044
02:07:01,782 --> 02:07:04,181
IT WAS ANNOUNCED FROM POTSDAM.
2045
02:07:04,283 --> 02:07:08,486
"THE ALTERNATIVE FOR JAPAN IS
PROMPT AND UTTER DESTRUCTION."
2046
02:07:08,588 --> 02:07:13,390
THE ULTIMATUM WAS CALLED
THE "POTSDAM DECLARATION."
2047
02:07:13,493 --> 02:07:15,860
TWO DAYS LATER,
THE JAPANESE REJECTED IT.
2048
02:07:15,962 --> 02:07:18,396
Bernstein:
THE UNITED STATES WAS DEMANDING
2049
02:07:18,498 --> 02:07:19,931
AN UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER
2050
02:07:20,033 --> 02:07:24,202
AND IN PARTICULAR THAT IMPLIED
THAT THE IMPERIAL SYSTEM
2051
02:07:24,304 --> 02:07:26,904
NAMELY THE EMPEROR,
WOULD BE TERMINATED.
2052
02:07:27,006 --> 02:07:30,808
TRUMAN HAD BEEN INFORMED
BY A NUMBER OF HIS ADVISERS
2053
02:07:30,910 --> 02:07:33,177
THAT THE UNCONDITIONAL
SURRENDER DEMAND
2054
02:07:33,279 --> 02:07:37,015
MIGHT MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT
TO ACHIEVE PEACE.
2055
02:07:37,117 --> 02:07:40,885
TRUMAN RECEIVED ADVICE, ON
VARIOUS OCCASIONS, TO PROVIDE
2056
02:07:40,987 --> 02:07:44,656
AN EXPLICIT PROVISION THAT
THE EMPEROR COULD BE MAINTAINED.
2057
02:07:44,757 --> 02:07:48,059
TRUMAN DECIDED NOT TO
INCLUDE THAT PROVISION.
2058
02:07:48,161 --> 02:07:50,261
Lifton:
UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER HAD BEEN
2059
02:07:50,363 --> 02:07:54,799
A CENTRAL THEME
INHERITED FROM ROOSEVELT.
2060
02:07:54,901 --> 02:07:57,134
IT EVOKED THE AMERICAN SPIRIT
2061
02:07:57,237 --> 02:08:00,338
OF FIGHTING AND WINNING
THIS WAR AGAINST EVIL
2062
02:08:00,440 --> 02:08:03,440
SO HE HELD TO IT.
2063
02:08:03,542 --> 02:08:09,313
Narrator:
THE ATOMIC BOMB
WAS NOW FULLY ASSEMBLED.
2064
02:08:09,415 --> 02:08:11,882
THE MOST DANGEROUS WEAPON
ON EARTH
2065
02:08:11,985 --> 02:08:14,485
WAS WAITING TO BE RELEASED.
2066
02:08:21,261 --> 02:08:24,996
THE POTSDAM CONFERENCE
LASTED 17 DAYS.
2067
02:08:25,098 --> 02:08:28,933
AS THE NEWSREEL CAMERAMEN
TOOK THEIR FINAL SHOTS
2068
02:08:29,035 --> 02:08:30,968
TRUMAN SMILED.
2069
02:08:31,071 --> 02:08:33,704
THE PRESIDENT REMAINED
FOND OF STALIN.
2070
02:08:33,806 --> 02:08:38,910
HE WOULD LATER WRITE, "I LIKED
THE LITTLE SON OF A BITCH."
2071
02:08:39,011 --> 02:08:42,113
BUT NOTHING
HAD BEEN ACCOMPLISHED.
2072
02:08:42,215 --> 02:08:45,135
LaFeber:
I THINK THE POTSDAM CONFERENCE
CAN BE SEEN
2073
02:08:45,218 --> 02:08:48,920
AS THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF
THE RUSSIAN-AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP.
2074
02:08:49,022 --> 02:08:50,721
TRUMAN AND STALIN DON'T HAVE
2075
02:08:50,823 --> 02:08:53,258
A WHOLE LOT TO SAY
TO EACH OTHER ANYMORE.
2076
02:08:53,360 --> 02:08:56,527
THEIR ARMIES ARE ESSENTIALLY
DOING THE TALKING.
2077
02:08:56,629 --> 02:08:59,964
Narrator:
THE ALLIES AGREED TO DIVIDE
A DEFEATED GERMANY
2078
02:09:00,066 --> 02:09:01,899
INTO JOINT ZONES OF OCCUPATION
2079
02:09:02,001 --> 02:09:04,502
BUT STALIN REFUSED TO WITHDRAW
HIS TROOPS
2080
02:09:04,604 --> 02:09:08,239
FROM EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE
AND PERMIT FREE ELECTIONS.
2081
02:09:08,341 --> 02:09:12,010
THE ISSUE WAS TABLED
FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.
2082
02:09:18,451 --> 02:09:20,952
AT LAST, TRUMAN WAS HEADING HOME
2083
02:09:21,054 --> 02:09:25,556
TRYING TO RELAX AFTER THE
GRUELING ROUND OF NEGOTIATIONS.
2084
02:09:25,658 --> 02:09:29,727
HE STROLLED THE DECK,
ATTENDED CHURCH SERVICES
2085
02:09:29,829 --> 02:09:33,197
ENJOYED A CONCERT
BY THE SHIP'S BAND.
2086
02:09:36,069 --> 02:09:38,269
ON HIS FOURTH DAY AT SEA
2087
02:09:38,371 --> 02:09:43,641
THE MISSION WHICH WOULD FOREVER
MARK HIS PLACE IN HISTORY BEGAN.
2088
02:09:50,149 --> 02:09:53,551
AUGUST 6, 2:45 A.M.
2089
02:09:53,653 --> 02:09:57,054
THEENOLA GAY,
CARRYING A FOUR-TON ATOMIC BOMB
2090
02:09:57,156 --> 02:10:01,158
WAS HEADING OUT OVER
THE PACIFIC OCEAN TOWARD JAPAN.
2091
02:10:02,695 --> 02:10:06,330
SOME WOULD LATER ARGUE THAT
JAPAN MIGHT HAVE BEEN FORCED
2092
02:10:06,432 --> 02:10:08,399
TO SURRENDER WITHOUT THE BOMB;
2093
02:10:08,501 --> 02:10:10,935
THE PRESIDENT MIGHT HAVE WARNED
THE JAPANESE
2094
02:10:11,037 --> 02:10:12,570
WITH A DEMONSTRATION BOMB;
2095
02:10:12,672 --> 02:10:15,906
MIGHT HAVE BLOCKADED THEIR
ISLANDS UNTIL THEY SURRENDERED;
2096
02:10:16,008 --> 02:10:18,108
MIGHT HAVE ASSURED THE JAPANESE
2097
02:10:18,211 --> 02:10:20,578
THAT THEY COULD KEEP
THEIR EMPEROR.
2098
02:10:20,680 --> 02:10:22,847
TRUMAN WOULD LATER SAY
2099
02:10:22,949 --> 02:10:26,484
THAT TO END THE WAR QUICKLY,
WITHOUT INVADING JAPAN
2100
02:10:26,585 --> 02:10:29,019
THE BOMB HAD TO BE USED
2101
02:10:29,122 --> 02:10:30,788
AND HE USED IT.
2102
02:10:33,626 --> 02:10:35,693
8:15 A.M.
2103
02:10:35,795 --> 02:10:39,863
THE ATOMIC BOMB DROPPED CLEAR
OF THEENOLA GAY.
2104
02:10:39,966 --> 02:10:44,869
43 SECONDS LATER,
IT EXPLODED OVER HIROSHIMA.
2105
02:11:03,823 --> 02:11:05,722
HARRY TRUMAN WAS EATING LUNCH
2106
02:11:05,824 --> 02:11:08,225
WHEN HE WAS HANDED
A DECODED MESSAGE.
2107
02:11:08,327 --> 02:11:10,394
CLEAR-CUT.
2108
02:11:10,496 --> 02:11:13,731
SUCCESSFUL IN ALL RESPECTS."
2109
02:11:13,833 --> 02:11:16,067
TRUMAN REACTED IMMEDIATELY.
2110
02:11:16,169 --> 02:11:20,071
"THIS," HE SAID, "IS
THE GREATEST THING IN HISTORY."
2111
02:11:20,173 --> 02:11:23,274
Elsey:
THE CREW BURST INTO APPLAUSE
AND CHEERING
2112
02:11:23,376 --> 02:11:26,009
WHEN HE ANNOUNCED
THIS WILL END THE WAR.
2113
02:11:26,111 --> 02:11:28,646
SINCE MOST OF THE CREWMEN
WERE ANTICIPATING
2114
02:11:28,748 --> 02:11:31,182
THAT THEY'D HAVE TO GO OUT
AND ENGAGE WITH THE JAPANESE
2115
02:11:31,284 --> 02:11:35,853
YOU CAN SEE WHY THERE WAS GREAT
GLEE ON THE PART OF THE CREW
2116
02:11:35,955 --> 02:11:39,256
THE OFFICERS, EVERYONE...
EVERYONE PRESENT.
2117
02:11:39,358 --> 02:11:42,237
Narrator:
THAT AFTERNOON,
TRUMAN ISSUED A WARNING
2118
02:11:42,261 --> 02:11:44,095
TO THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT.
2119
02:11:44,197 --> 02:11:46,742
Truman:
IF THEY DO NOT NOW ACCEPT
OUR TERMS
2120
02:11:46,766 --> 02:11:49,500
THEY MAY EXPECT A RAIN OF RUIN
FROM THE AIR
2121
02:11:49,602 --> 02:11:52,970
THE LIKE OF WHICH HAS NEVER
BEEN SEEN ON THIS EARTH.
2122
02:11:59,879 --> 02:12:03,047
Narrator:
TWO DAYS LATER,
SECRETARY OF WAR STIMSON
2123
02:12:03,149 --> 02:12:06,718
SHOWED THE PRESIDENT
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS OF HIROSHIMA.
2124
02:12:09,021 --> 02:12:12,990
TRUMAN DID NOT YET KNOW
THAT THE ATOMIC BOMB HAD KILLED
2125
02:12:13,092 --> 02:12:15,960
MORE THAN 80,000 MEN, WOMEN
AND CHILDREN
2126
02:12:16,062 --> 02:12:18,629
AND THAT TENS OF THOUSANDS MORE
WOULD DIE
2127
02:12:18,731 --> 02:12:22,266
FROM RADIATION SICKNESS
IN THE DAYS AND YEARS TO COME.
2128
02:12:28,174 --> 02:12:30,486
Hamby:
YOU SEE THESE PICTURES
OF HIROSHIMA
2129
02:12:30,510 --> 02:12:38,049
JUST LEVELED FOR ALMOST
AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE.
2130
02:12:38,151 --> 02:12:40,817
CLEARLY, HE'S DISTRESSED
BY THAT.
2131
02:12:40,920 --> 02:12:43,354
Narrator:
HE TOLD STIMSON
2132
02:12:43,456 --> 02:12:47,258
"THIS PLACES A TERRIBLE
RESPONSIBILITY UPON MYSELF
2133
02:12:47,360 --> 02:12:49,160
AND UPON THE WAR DEPARTMENT."
2134
02:12:49,262 --> 02:12:53,830
THREE DAYS AFTER THE ATOMIC BOMB
WAS DROPPED ON HIROSHIMA
2135
02:12:53,933 --> 02:12:56,901
THE SOVIET UNION DECLARED WAR
ON JAPAN
2136
02:12:57,003 --> 02:13:00,271
BUT STILL THERE WAS NO WORD
OF SURRENDER.
2137
02:13:05,945 --> 02:13:08,612
AUGUST 9, 11:00 A.M.
2138
02:13:08,714 --> 02:13:10,948
A SECOND ATOMIC BOMB WAS DROPPED
2139
02:13:11,050 --> 02:13:13,551
ON THE JAPANESE SEAPORT
OF NAGASAKI.
2140
02:13:13,653 --> 02:13:16,921
IN ONE-TENTH OF ONE-MILLIONTH
OF A SECOND
2141
02:13:17,023 --> 02:13:19,557
THE CITY WAS DESTROYED.
2142
02:13:19,658 --> 02:13:22,493
ANOTHER 40,000 PEOPLE
WERE KILLED.
2143
02:13:25,064 --> 02:13:28,633
Hamby:
TRUMAN HAD NOT
PUT ANY LIMITATION
2144
02:13:28,734 --> 02:13:31,602
ON THE USE OF THE SECOND BOMB.
2145
02:13:31,704 --> 02:13:35,239
ESSENTIALLY, AFTER HE SIGNS
THE ORDER AT POTSDAM
2146
02:13:35,341 --> 02:13:37,375
IT'S ALL ON AUTOMATIC PILOT
2147
02:13:37,477 --> 02:13:41,379
AND UNLESS HE CHANGES HIS MIND,
UP TO THE MILITARY.
2148
02:13:48,688 --> 02:13:51,855
Narrator:
THE DAY AFTER
NAGASAKI WAS DESTROYED
2149
02:13:51,957 --> 02:13:55,325
TRUMAN TOOK THE AUTHORITY
TO USE THE ATOMIC BOMB
2150
02:13:55,427 --> 02:13:57,261
BACK FROM THE MILITARY
2151
02:13:57,363 --> 02:14:00,331
AND PLACED IT ONCE AGAIN
IN HIS OWN HANDS.
2152
02:14:08,874 --> 02:14:10,274
AUGUST 14.
2153
02:14:10,376 --> 02:14:14,912
THE SIMPLE REASON TRUMAN ALWAYS
GAVE FOR USING THE ATOMIC BOMB
2154
02:14:15,014 --> 02:14:17,447
WAS TO END THE WAR
AND SAVE LIVES.
2155
02:14:17,549 --> 02:14:22,686
NOW, AFTER NEARLY FOUR YEARS,
JAPAN SURRENDERED.
2156
02:14:22,788 --> 02:14:25,823
THE WAR WAS OVER.
2157
02:14:35,168 --> 02:14:37,535
YEARS LATER,
TRUMAN WOULD OFTEN SAY
2158
02:14:37,637 --> 02:14:41,738
THAT HE NEVER BROODED OVER
HIS DECISION TO DROP THE BOMB.
2159
02:14:44,009 --> 02:14:47,444
"ONCE THE DECISION WAS MADE,"
HE WROTE LATER
2160
02:14:47,546 --> 02:14:50,348
"I DIDN'T WORRY ABOUT IT
AFTERWARD."
2161
02:14:50,450 --> 02:14:56,754
Hamby:
TIME AND AGAIN, TRUMAN CLAIMED,
"I NEVER LOST A MINUTE'S SLEEP.
2162
02:14:56,856 --> 02:14:59,323
"I NEVER FELT ANY REGRET.
2163
02:14:59,425 --> 02:15:01,858
I DID WHAT HAD TO BE DONE."
2164
02:15:01,961 --> 02:15:06,330
BUT, CLEARLY, THIS WAS A
SOMEWHAT MORE UPSETTING EVENT
2165
02:15:06,432 --> 02:15:08,632
THAN HE LET ON.
2166
02:15:08,734 --> 02:15:12,102
Narrator:
THE DAY AFTER THE BOMB FELL
ON NAGASAKI
2167
02:15:12,204 --> 02:15:14,105
TRUMAN HAD TOLD HIS CABINET
2168
02:15:14,207 --> 02:15:18,009
THAT "THE THOUGHT OF WIPING OUT
ANOTHER 100,000 PEOPLE
2169
02:15:18,111 --> 02:15:19,944
WAS TOO HORRIBLE."
2170
02:15:20,046 --> 02:15:23,380
HE HATED THE IDEA OF KILLING
"ALL THOSE KIDS."
2171
02:16:12,531 --> 02:16:14,832
Bernstein:
YOU CAN NEVER FEEL COMFORTABLE
2172
02:16:14,934 --> 02:16:17,535
ABOUT KILLING 100,000
OR MORE PEOPLE.
2173
02:16:17,637 --> 02:16:20,905
AND I'M SURE THAT WAS TRUE
FOR HARRY S. TRUMAN
2174
02:16:21,007 --> 02:16:23,941
WHO FOUGHT VIGOROUSLY
ALWAYS TO DENY IT.
2175
02:16:27,313 --> 02:16:31,381
Lifton:
HE WASN'T A MAN WHO COULD ALLOW
SELF-QUESTIONING.
2176
02:16:31,483 --> 02:16:36,053
HE WASN'T A MAN
WHO COULD ALLOW REFLECTION.
2177
02:16:36,155 --> 02:16:40,524
HE COULD NEVER REALLY TAKE IN
FULLY WHAT HE HAD DONE
2178
02:16:40,626 --> 02:16:43,461
AND WHAT THAT MEANT
FOR THE WORLD.
2179
02:16:43,563 --> 02:16:47,231
HERE WAS A GOOD MAN,
A LOVING MAN
2180
02:16:47,333 --> 02:16:52,069
WHO MADE A DECISION TO USE THE
CRUELEST WEAPON IN HUMAN HISTORY
2181
02:16:52,171 --> 02:16:56,407
ON A DENSELY POPULATED CITY
2182
02:16:56,509 --> 02:16:59,910
AND SPENT THE REST OF HIS LIFE
JUSTIFYING THAT DECISION.
2183
02:17:04,016 --> 02:17:06,483
Narrator:
"I MADE THE ONLY DECISION
2184
02:17:06,585 --> 02:17:09,420
I EVER KNEW HOW TO MAKE,"
TRUMAN WROTE.
2185
02:17:09,522 --> 02:17:12,689
"I DID WHAT I THOUGHT
WAS RIGHT."
2186
02:17:17,896 --> 02:17:20,831
NEXT TIME ON
AMERICAN EXPERIENCE...
2187
02:17:20,933 --> 02:17:23,300
HE WOULD END
THE GREATEST WAR IN HISTORY
2188
02:17:23,402 --> 02:17:25,836
ONLY TO FIND
THAT PEACE WAS HELL.
2189
02:17:25,938 --> 02:17:29,239
HE WOULD HAVE TO CONTEND
WITH AN AGGRESSIVE STALIN
2190
02:17:29,341 --> 02:17:33,377
AN UNCOOPERATIVE CONGRESS
AND A DISTANT WIFE.
2191
02:17:33,479 --> 02:17:37,114
McCullough:
AND THE PRESIDENT WAS BEING
BESIEGED ON ALL SIDES.
2192
02:17:37,216 --> 02:17:40,384
HE HAD TO BLOW HIS STACK
ABOUT SOMETHING.
2193
02:17:40,486 --> 02:17:42,219
THE CONCLUSION OF "TRUMAN"...
2194
02:17:42,321 --> 02:17:45,423
NEXT TIMEON AMERICAN EXPERIENCE.
2195
02:18:06,846 --> 02:18:09,846
Captioned by
Media Access Group at WGBH
access.wgbh.org
2196
02:19:19,685 --> 02:19:21,918
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2197
02:19:22,020 --> 02:19:23,287
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2198
02:19:25,324 --> 02:19:28,058
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2199
02:19:29,061 --> 02:19:30,761
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2200
02:19:30,863 --> 02:19:33,296
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2201
02:19:33,398 --> 02:19:35,766
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2202
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