Harry Truman was considered one of the most successful presidents in the history of the United States.

communist take over by Russia during the Cold War. President Truman made every attempt to make conditions overseas better, and to stop communist control. He did this by setting up some programs, acts, and agencies to help other countries and to stop future communist outbreaks. One of the first proposals Truman made concerning the troubles overseas was the Truman Doctrine. "On March 12, 1947, he asked for $400 million in military assistance to Greece and Turkey" (Boyer p.795). This economic aide Truman granted to Greece and Turkey proved to be one of the many accomplishments of the Truman administration. It proved to the world that the United States wanted to help everyone who was under possible communist control. Another part of Trumans foreign policy was the Marshall Plan which was established in 1947. The Marshall Plan called for massive American aide to Europe. It also offered economic assistance to all countries that were under communist control. Truman feared that communists would take over all western European countries (like Italy and France). This money would re-build the countries economy and armies. In response to this "the Soviet Union tightened its control in Eastern Europe" (Boyer p.795). The $17 billion given to oversea countries turned out to be a success for Truman and the United States. Although the Soviets were angered for the United States doing this, the United States built up respect from other countries that would help us in the long run. Truman wasn't done with his communist break-up strategy just yet. He set up the Berlin Airlift when "Stalin blocked all highways through the Soviet zone in Berlin"(Boyer p. 795). Because of this action on the Soviets, Truman decides to send in massive airlifts to provide the people of Berlin food and assistance. Another accomplishment of Truman was the formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This was a military alliance which provided a common defense against the Soviets and "marking an end of U.S. isolationism" (Boyer 797). NATO guaranteed that any country that signed the treaty would support the other countries that signed it in time of war. Also, there was much danger for the people of China and Korea who were almost under the control of the Communists. Truman called for containment, which was preventing the Soviets from expanding anywhere in the world. To find out what was happening in these countries Truman sent spies to get information relating to bombs and war information by setting up the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the National Security Counsel (NSC). The spies would come back with any information and directly notify the president of any secret missions on behalf of the communists. These two agencies proved to be very effective especially for the future of the United States affairs with other countries. Truman not only had foreign affairs to deal with, but he also had some affairs happening in the United States. He called for legislative programs through "The Fair Deal." He called for civil rights legislation that would help blacks in America and in the armed forces. In his legislative programs he called for federal aide to education, repeal of the Taft-Hartley Act, national heath insurance, subsidies to farmers, public housing, better social security, higher minimum wage, and demobilization. Many obstacles came his way trying to pass these legislative programs, especially the Republican majority in Congress, inflation, and the war. Trumans repeal of the Taft-Hartley Act proved he was a friend of labor. The Act said that people must join unions to get a job. Truman was not in favor of this act passed by Republicans.Harry Truman was one of the most successful presidents there ever was. He not only thought about the well being of the United States, but he helped many countries and people all over the world. He sent billions of dollars to other countries to help them fight the communist control. He had little education and "came into office not knowing any foreign policy establishment in Washington" (McCullough p.297). His primary goal during his presidency was to stop communist control overseas, to create peace around the world, and to help the countries that are in need. His foreign policy with other nations proved to be successful, especially when Truman favored Israel's statehood. He proved America wrong by setting forth leadership skills during one of the toughest times in American history- The Cold War, and that is why he is ranked one of the most successful presidents.