Truman Sacks General MacArthur - HISTORY

General MacArthur disagreed with President Truman's course of action. Truman relieved MacArthur of his commands in Korea and Japan, and delivered this speech to explain his decision.

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Because Gen. Douglas MacArthur's desire to expand the Korean War conflicted with the nation's foreign policy, President Truman felt he had no alternative but to replace MacArthur. On April 11, 1951, Truman relieves MacArthur of his command and informs the American public of his decision in a radio report that same day.

In the April 27, 1951, episode of the radio program "Hear It Now," Edward R. Murrow relays the story of Gen. Douglas MacArthur's dismissal and the resulting arguments in Congress. Many Republicans claimed MacArthur was the victim of a smear campaign, including Sen. Richard Nixon, who is heard making accusations against the Pentagon.

On April 11, 1951, President Harry Truman relieved Gen. Douglas MacArthur of his command due to their disagreement over the handling of the Korean War. On April 19, 1951, after 52 years of military service, Gen. Douglas MacArthur delivers a farewell address to Congress, setting off a controversy among congressional members over whether or not the Joint Chiefs of Staff had approved the MacArthur plan for operations.

On July 19, 1950, in a radio and television address, President Harry Truman announces to the world that America will intervene in the Korean conflict in order to stem the spread of communism.

On April 12, 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt died of a massive cerebral hemorrhage. Five days after being sworn in as president of the United States, Harry Truman delivers a speech to the U.S. Armed Forces expressing his gratitude for their service and his intention to see through FDR's strategies.

On January 20, 1949, beginning his second term, President Harry Truman denounces communism and presents a program for peace in his inaugural address.