ABSTRACT
Following the end of the Second World War the United States found itself in a position of unprecedented peacetime involvement in global affairs — as the leading sponsor of new international economic machinery and the United Nations Organisation, with occupation forces in Germany and Japan and the need to frame post-war settlements in Europe and Asia. The Second World War had familiarised Americans with engagement in the world but institutionally the US was ill-prepared: the State Department, the federal agency best-suited to handling these tasks, had played a limited role in wartime diplomacy and enjoyed low public regard. America faced these challenges with a new, inexperienced President, Harry S. Truman. Unlike his predecessor, Franklin D. Roosevelt, he turned to his Secretary of State for guidance. Four men occupied the post during Truman's presidency: Edward S. Stettinius (November 1944-June 1945), James F Byrnes (July 1945-January 1947), George C. Marshall (January 1947-January 1949) and Dean Acheson (January 1949-January 1953). If Truman's approach offered an opportunity for the secretary and his department, their effective impact was not automatic. Their performances would depend upon the interaction of their personalities and talents, relations with the president, their running of the department, their policy vision and handling of the key issues of the day.
