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World War II and Beyond, Page 11

Truman Takes Office

President Franklin Roosevelt was a supporter of the United Nations. On April 12, 1945, he passed away while at his home in Warm Springs, Georgia. His death was two weeks before the first meeting of the UN was to take place. Suddenly, the new Vice President found himself in office and in the middle of international relations.

Harry Truman

Harry S. Truman

In July 1945, Truman met with Joseph Stalin in the Berlin suburb of Potsdam. The purpose of the meeting was to continue the discussion that had started in Yalta regarding Germany and Poland. Truman did not hold back on his demands. He let the Russian leader know of the United States’ nuclear capabilities. However, Stalin did not back down.

Truman and Stalin

Stalin (Left) with Truman