Thomas Dewey, the Republican governor of New York, is most famously remembered for his 1948 presidential election loss to Harry S. Truman, cemented in the iconic “Dewey Defeats Truman” headline. However, Dewey’s political career and influence extended far beyond this moment.
Dewey was a prominent figure in the Republican Party, known for his reputation as a “gangbuster” prosecutor in New York City during the 1930s. His intense focus on organized crime concerned the New York mobsters of that era, and discussions ensued about what to do about it.
One gangster, Dutch Schultz, took Dewey’s organized crime attacks so seriously that he became adamant about eliminating him. The recently created ‘committee’ voted against it, fearing law enforcement would target them, but Schultz stood steadfast with his assassination decree. He stormed out of the room, saying he would take care of it himself. This led to Shultz’s assassination by the syndicate.
Political Cartoonist Clifford K. Berryman‘s editorial illustration of October 19, 1948, shows the consensus of experts in mid-October. National Archives and Records Administration, cataloged under the National Archives Identifier (NAID) 306150—Public Domain.
Dewey was propelled into the governorship of New York, where he established a record of efficient and progressive administration. In 1944, Dewey received the Republican presidential nomination, challenging Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II. Though he lost the election, his strong showing solidified his position as a leading Republican figure.
Thomas E. Dewey was a two-time Republican presidential nominee who played a significant role in mid-20th-century American politics. As the Governor of New York and a tough-on-crime prosecutor, Dewey was widely respected within the Party. He ran again in 1948 against Harry Truman, with his second campaign being one of the most famous upsets in U.S. history. Although he never won the presidency, his influence shaped the Republican Party for years.
Harry S. Truman’s road to the presidency was anything but predictable. His journey was filled with resilience, determination, and some astonishing victories. Born in Missouri in 1884, he grew up in a working-class family, spending much of his early life on a farm. Before stepping into politics, he held various jobs, including running a small business and serving in World War I. Eventually, he entered public service and was elected a U.S. senator in 1935. Known for his no-nonsense attitude and integrity, he quickly made a name for himself in Washington.
Overview
Independence, Missouri. Home of President Truman. iStock
Truman wasn’t exactly the first choice for Vice President in 1944, but he was seen as a safe, middle-ground candidate to run alongside Franklin D. Roosevelt. At the time, Roosevelt was in his fourth term and was in declining health, but few expected Truman to take over as president so soon.
That all changed in April 1945, when Roosevelt died suddenly, thrusting Truman into the most powerful job in the world. He had barely been in the loop on major decisions, including the development of the atomic bomb, yet he had to lead the country through the final stages of World War II. It was Truman who made the fateful decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, bringing the war to an end.
Nuclear scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer, coined the “father of the atomic bomb,” met once with President Truman in October 1945. The meeting didn’t go as planned. Oppenheimer, who was feeling guilty about the deaths that occurred in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, was reported to have said, “I have blood on my hands.” Truman, who knew he had no choice but to give the order to drop the bombs, otherwise run the risk of losing hundreds of thousands of allied troops who would have had to take on a D-Day approach to Japan, was very insulted. He said he never wanted to see Oppenheimer in the White House again.
Post World War II
After the war, Truman faced a tough road ahead. The economy was shifting from wartime production, labor strikes were on the rise, and tensions with the Soviet Union escalated, marking the beginning of the Cold War. On top of that, his approval ratings were sinking, and many within his own party were turning against him. By the time the 1948 election rolled around, few believed he had a real shot at winning. Even the Democratic Party was divided, with Southern conservatives (the “Dixiecrats”) breaking away in opposition to his civil rights policies.
His Republican opponent, Thomas E. Dewey, was widely expected to win. Dewey was polished, confident, and already a national figure as Governor of New York. The press, the polls, and even some of Truman’s advisors assumed he was headed for defeat. But Truman wasn’t one to back down. He hit the campaign trail hard, traveling thousands of miles by train on his famous “Whistle-Stop Tour.” Speaking directly to ordinary Americans, he called out the Republican-led Congress for blocking progress and failing to support working people. His fiery speeches resonated, especially with farmers, laborers, and African Americans.
Truman’s presidency included the following:
Start of the Cold War
Communism was an ever-growing threat to the United States and Europe, and many Americans were frightened of the potential dangers of a potential nuclear war between America and the Soviet Union. President Truman played a central role in the early development of the Cold War. The rivalry was intensified by political, military, and ideological differences between the two nations, namely, democracy vs. communism.
The Berlin Airlift
MS CoPilot autogenerated illustration of the Berlin Airlift
Then there was the Berlin Airlift, which was Truman’s response to flying food, fuel, and supplies by air to West Berlin after Stalin blocked all roads, railways, and canals into West Berlin. This move showed the U.S. would stand firm against Soviet aggression without direct conflict. This airlift continued for a year, starting in June 1948.
The Truman Doctrine
Truman’s suspicion of Joseph Stalin’s intentions to control Eastern Europe was the impetus to start of the Cold War. In 1947, he created the Truman Doctrine, which stated that the United States would provide political, military, and economic assistance to any country threatened by communism. Greece and Turkey were the first to receive American support, facing communist pressures and internal instability after World War II. In a broader sense, the Doctrine set the tone for Cold War U.S. foreign policy.
The Marshall Plan
In 1948, he initiated the Marshall Plan, officially known as the European Recovery Program, provided economic aid to help rebuild Western Europe after the war, but the Soviets predicted this as a threat and responded by clamping down on Eastern Europe.
Proposed by Secretary of State George C. Marshall, the plan provided over $13 billion in economic aid to European countries struggling with hunger, poverty, and destroyed infrastructure after World War II. The goal was to spur economic recovery and prevent the spread of communism by stabilizing governments that followed democratic principles. Of course, the. The Soviet Union and its allies refused the help, viewing it as a threat to their influence.
The Marshall Plan was a significant success. It revived European economies, strengthened U.S. / European ties, and marked a key moment in the early days of the Cold War. It also reinforced America’s role as a global leader in promoting democracy, stability, and free-market economies.
NATO
NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium
Truman has been noted as a prominent force in helping to establish the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949, a military alliance to defend against Soviet threats. Years later, the Soviets responded with the Warsaw Pact.
Ironically, we are now facing a similar threat from none other than Vladimir Putin, who attacked Ukraine in 2020, claiming that this land is part of Russia. President Trump is currently trying to work out a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, but time will only tell the final result.
Truman’s Next Election
Election night in 1948 was a rollercoaster. Early reports suggested Dewey was winning, and the Chicago Daily Tribune famously printed the incorrect headline, “Dewey Defeats Truman.” However, as the final votes were counted, Truman emerged victorious in one of the biggest political upsets in U.S. history. His unexpected win proved that grassroots campaigning and direct engagement with voters could overcome even the most formidable odds. Truman’s legacy remains one of perseverance, bold leadership, and an unwavering commitment to the American people.
