Harry Truman's Inauguration Address

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Chief Justice, and fellow citizens, I accept with humility the honor which the American people have conferred upon me.

I accept it with a deep resolve to do all that I can for the welfare of this Nation and for the peace of the world.

Each period of our national history has had its special challenges. Those that confront us now are as momentous as any in the past.

Today marks the beginning not only of a new administration, but of a period that will be eventful, perhaps decisive, for us and for the world.

The first half of this century has been marked by unprecedented and brutal attacks on the rights of man, and by the two most frightful wars in history.

In the pursuit of these aims, the United States and other like-minded nations find themselves directly opposed by a regime with contrary aims and a totally different concept of life.

Misled by this philosophy, many peoples have sacrificed their liberties only to learn to their sorrow that deceit and mockery, poverty and tyranny, are their reward.

Misled by this philosophy, many peoples have sacrificed their liberties only to learn to their sorrow that deceit and mockery, poverty and tyranny, are their reward.

Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with reason and justice.

Communism subjects the individual to arrest without lawful cause, punishment without trial, and forced labor as the chattel of the state.

Since the end of hostilities, the United States has invested its substance and its energy in a great constructive effort to restore peace, stability, and freedom to the world.

Since the end of hostilities, the United States has invested its substance and its energy in a great constructive effort to restore peace, stability, and freedom to the world.

We have made every effort to secure agreement on effective international control of our most powerful weapon, and we have worked steadily for the limitation and control of all armaments.

Almost a year ago, in company with 16 free nations of Europe, we launched the greatest cooperative economic program in history.

The purpose of that unprecedented effort is to invigorate and strengthen democracy in Europe, so that the free people of that continent can resume their rightful place in the forefront of civilization and can contribute once more to the security and welfare of the world.

The purpose of that unprecedented effort is to invigorate and strengthen democracy in Europe, so that the free people of that continent can resume their rightful place in the forefront of civilization and can contribute once more to the security and welfare of the world.

Hundreds of millions of people all over the world now agree with us, that we need not have war—that we can have peace. The initiative is ours.

First, we will continue to give unfaltering support to the United Nations and related agencies, and we will continue to search for ways to strengthen their authority and increase their effectiveness.

We have already established such a defense pact for the Western Hemisphere by the treaty of Rio de Janeiro.

More than half the people of the world are living in conditions approaching misery. Their food is inadequate. They are victims of disease. Their economic life is primitive and stagnant.

But our imponderable resources in technical knowledge are constantly growing and are inexhaustible.

I believe that we should make available to peace-loving peoples the benefits of our store of technical knowledge in order to help them realize their aspirations for a better life.

The old imperialism—exploitation for foreign profit—has no place in our plans.

The old imperialism—exploitation for foreign profit—has no place in our plans.

What we envisage is a program of development based on the concepts of democratic fair-dealing.

Democracy alone can supply the vitalizing force to stir the peoples of the world into triumphant action, not only against their human oppressors, but also against their ancient enemies—hunger, misery, and despair.

We are aided by all who want relief from the lies of propaganda—who desire truth and sincerity.

Our allies are the millions who hunger and thirst after righteousness.

In due time, as our stability becomes manifest, as more and more nations come to know the benefits of democracy and to participate in growing abundance, I believe that those countries which now oppose us will abandon their delusions and join with the free nations of the world in a just settlement of international differences.

Steadfast in our faith in the Almighty, we will advance toward a world where man’s freedom is secure.