Truman and Abusing Power: Drafting Striking Workers

Season 24

When railroad workers went on strike, Truman threatened to draft them into the army.

When a new wave of striking unions shut down industries, Truman threatened to draft strikers into the army. "It was as high-handed, as unconstitutional, a measure as imaginable," says biographer David McCullough. "But he meant it."

AIR DATE 10/31/11

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Truman and Abusing Power: Drafting Striking Workers

Truman on the Enemy: Sizing up Stalin

Truman's First Lady: Bess

Truman and Unity: A Compromise Candidate

Truman on Military Service: Mr. U.S.A.

Truman on the Enemy: Communism

About Truman: American Experience

Of all the men who had held the office, he was the least prepared. As president, Harry Truman was responsible for dropping the atomic bomb on Japan, ending World War II and finding America’s place in the international order at the start of the Cold War.

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