"I, Thomas Edmund Dewey."
"I, Thomas Edmund Dewey."
"Do solemnly swear."
"Do solemnly swear."
"That I will faithfully execute."
"That I will faithfully execute."
"The Office of the President of the United States."
"The Office of the President of the United States."
"And will, to the best of my ability."
"And will, to the best of my ability."
"Preserve, protect, and defend."
"Preserve, protect, and defend."
"The Constitution of the United States."
"The Constitution of the United States."
"So help me God."
"So help me God."
"Congratulations, Mr President."
"Mr Chief Justice, Mr Vice President, my fellow Americans:
"I would not think it dramatic for me to say that this is a time of testing: testing of resolve, of courage, of wisdom. And while we have yet to complete this test, I believe that I can safely say that we may live up to it.
"Indeed, America has always proven itself during times of crisis. During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Army, regarded as nothing more than a glorified militia, overwhelmed the firepower of the British Empire, in the name of implementing democracy. And but four years after the end of our struggle for independence, the Constitutional Convention, divided at first almost beyond redemption, drafted the Bill of Rights.
"And so, today, after a decade of depression and three years of world war, this generation of Americans is living up to the task of protecting our democracy, and restoring it elsewhere.
"But we must not forget that we are not alone in this crusade: the United Kingdoms, which has been fighting the German Reich since the launch of hostilities almost six years ago, is still toiling to produce the most efficient weapons and most dedicated soldiers. Mr Churchill has reasserted Britain's role as a beacon of democracy, and he will be forever remembered as the defender of liberty.
"The Republic of China, which has been besieged by the Japanese Empire since 1937, is still standing. Amidst civil war, they have put aside their differences for the cause of defending their homeland, and I am confident that they will find some permanent solution to such problems within the coming months.
"And of course, there is the Soviet Union. A few short months before our neutrality was violated in a most criminal fashion, the same can be said for them. Under false promises of peace, they have let their guard down, and have almost been crushed under the might of the German Army. But, defying all expectations, they pushed back the aggressors. They refused to go quietly into the deep, dark night. There is much to be said about them that there is about us, and vice versa.
"On the home front, we have seen as well the determination of the American people. Whether it is at an automobile plant in Detroit, or a wheat farm outside Des Moines, or a steel mill in Charleston, the American worker has put in his maximum effort to see that sufficient supplies are available. And I am confident that production will only increase after the end of the war, allowing the economy to transition into peacetime prosperity.
"Of course, I cannot promise we will reach Berlin by the end of the year. I cannot promise a job for every soldier coming home. I cannot promise that there will be no more shortages, no more sacrifices. But I can promise that I will not spare one moment in serving the American people, who have entrusted me with this high and noble office. So, let us all move forward, as one.
"God Bless You, and God Bless the United States of America."
"I, Thomas Edmund Dewey."
"Do solemnly swear."
"Do solemnly swear."
"That I will faithfully execute."
"That I will faithfully execute."
"The Office of the President of the United States."
"The Office of the President of the United States."
"And will, to the best of my ability."
"And will, to the best of my ability."
"Preserve, protect, and defend."
"Preserve, protect, and defend."
"The Constitution of the United States."
"The Constitution of the United States."
"So help me God."
"So help me God."
"Congratulations, Mr President."
"Mr Chief Justice, Mr Vice President, my fellow Americans:
"I would not think it dramatic for me to say that this is a time of testing: testing of resolve, of courage, of wisdom. And while we have yet to complete this test, I believe that I can safely say that we may live up to it.
"Indeed, America has always proven itself during times of crisis. During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Army, regarded as nothing more than a glorified militia, overwhelmed the firepower of the British Empire, in the name of implementing democracy. And but four years after the end of our struggle for independence, the Constitutional Convention, divided at first almost beyond redemption, drafted the Bill of Rights.
"And so, today, after a decade of depression and three years of world war, this generation of Americans is living up to the task of protecting our democracy, and restoring it elsewhere.
"But we must not forget that we are not alone in this crusade: the United Kingdoms, which has been fighting the German Reich since the launch of hostilities almost six years ago, is still toiling to produce the most efficient weapons and most dedicated soldiers. Mr Churchill has reasserted Britain's role as a beacon of democracy, and he will be forever remembered as the defender of liberty.
"The Republic of China, which has been besieged by the Japanese Empire since 1937, is still standing. Amidst civil war, they have put aside their differences for the cause of defending their homeland, and I am confident that they will find some permanent solution to such problems within the coming months.
"And of course, there is the Soviet Union. A few short months before our neutrality was violated in a most criminal fashion, the same can be said for them. Under false promises of peace, they have let their guard down, and have almost been crushed under the might of the German Army. But, defying all expectations, they pushed back the aggressors. They refused to go quietly into the deep, dark night. There is much to be said about them that there is about us, and vice versa.
"On the home front, we have seen as well the determination of the American people. Whether it is at an automobile plant in Detroit, or a wheat farm outside Des Moines, or a steel mill in Charleston, the American worker has put in his maximum effort to see that sufficient supplies are available. And I am confident that production will only increase after the end of the war, allowing the economy to transition into peacetime prosperity.
"Of course, I cannot promise we will reach Berlin by the end of the year. I cannot promise a job for every soldier coming home. I cannot promise that there will be no more shortages, no more sacrifices. But I can promise that I will not spare one moment in serving the American people, who have entrusted me with this high and noble office. So, let us all move forward, as one.
"God Bless You, and God Bless the United States of America."
President of the United States: Thomas E. Dewey
Vice President of the United States: John W. Bicker
Secretary of State: Dwight D. Eisenhower
Secretary of War: John F. Dulles
Secretary of the Treasury: Frank C. Moore
Secretary of Commerce: Sinclair Weeks
Secretary of Agriculture: George Wilson
Secretary of the Interior: Rufus C Holman
Vice President of the United States: John W. Bicker
Secretary of State: Dwight D. Eisenhower
Secretary of War: John F. Dulles
Secretary of the Treasury: Frank C. Moore
Secretary of Commerce: Sinclair Weeks
Secretary of Agriculture: George Wilson
Secretary of the Interior: Rufus C Holman
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"Dewey... No, He didn't like them... the Commies, that is... especially Stalin, the [CENSORED] bastard... And neither did I, of course... Ike, he was more practical... he saw firsthand the Soviet contribution... well, everyone did... no one can deny they lost the most... didn't mean we had to like the fat-asses who put them in that God-awful position in the first place!"
-John F. Dulles, in an interview circa 1958
"For the photographers, he was fair and polite... he shook hands and patted Mr Stalin on the back... when we entered the private sessions, he avoided small talk... he made clear that he was there for business, and nothing else... well, I was glad to go along."
-From Winston Churchill's diary
"First things first was Germany... that was an easy decision... just split it into occupation zones... doesn't matter who got to Berlin first, it would be split as well... now, the problem in that regard was Szczecin, and the other cities on the German-Polish border... eventually, it was agreed that the Eastern German zone would get East Prussia... 'cause u see, there were a lot of German there... they wouldn't last a day in Poland... yeah, that was the main issue at Yalta."
-Dwight Eisenhower's memoir
"The bastard... the bastard thinks he can just restore this bourgeois regime... he thinks he can force us to restore this bourgeois regime! No [CENSORED] chance! It was our sons whose blood was shed kicking out the Fascists from Poland... since it was their sons who liberated France, though not at nearly the cost served onto us... then we won't ask of them to install a Socialist regime... so why can't they return the favor?"
-Transcript of a conversation between Joseph Stalin and Vyacheslav Molotov
"Eventually... it was agreed that democratic elections would be held in those countries... Poland, Hungary, Romania... they would choose their own forms of governing, with the economic assistance of the Allied powers... at least, that was how it was supposed to be..."
-From A Study on Poland's Role in the Complexity of Soviet-American Relations by Jacek Jedruch
"Save for Germany, most of the borders of Eastern Europe were restored... of course, the Soviets annexed the Baltic countries, but we couldn't be the wiser in that regard... I've always wondered what would have happened if Mr Dewey had not won that election... I suppose that things would've gone a bit better... hell, maybe the Soviets would've invaded Manchuria!"
-Anthony Eden, in an interview circa 1951
-John F. Dulles, in an interview circa 1958
"For the photographers, he was fair and polite... he shook hands and patted Mr Stalin on the back... when we entered the private sessions, he avoided small talk... he made clear that he was there for business, and nothing else... well, I was glad to go along."
-From Winston Churchill's diary
"First things first was Germany... that was an easy decision... just split it into occupation zones... doesn't matter who got to Berlin first, it would be split as well... now, the problem in that regard was Szczecin, and the other cities on the German-Polish border... eventually, it was agreed that the Eastern German zone would get East Prussia... 'cause u see, there were a lot of German there... they wouldn't last a day in Poland... yeah, that was the main issue at Yalta."
-Dwight Eisenhower's memoir
"The bastard... the bastard thinks he can just restore this bourgeois regime... he thinks he can force us to restore this bourgeois regime! No [CENSORED] chance! It was our sons whose blood was shed kicking out the Fascists from Poland... since it was their sons who liberated France, though not at nearly the cost served onto us... then we won't ask of them to install a Socialist regime... so why can't they return the favor?"
-Transcript of a conversation between Joseph Stalin and Vyacheslav Molotov
"Eventually... it was agreed that democratic elections would be held in those countries... Poland, Hungary, Romania... they would choose their own forms of governing, with the economic assistance of the Allied powers... at least, that was how it was supposed to be..."
-From A Study on Poland's Role in the Complexity of Soviet-American Relations by Jacek Jedruch
"Save for Germany, most of the borders of Eastern Europe were restored... of course, the Soviets annexed the Baltic countries, but we couldn't be the wiser in that regard... I've always wondered what would have happened if Mr Dewey had not won that election... I suppose that things would've gone a bit better... hell, maybe the Soviets would've invaded Manchuria!"
-Anthony Eden, in an interview circa 1951
"I... I remember when we went to Ohrdruf... God, it was a mother[CENSORED] awful place... the people that were alive, they looked like the corpses, of which there were no shortages... there were gallows... the guards, those sick SS [CENSORED], they were completely at peace with what they have done..."
-George Patton in an interview, circa 1946
-George Patton in an interview, circa 1946
"Mr. Speaker, I have just had the duty of making an official statement to the nation and the British Empire and Commonwealth, and I thought it might perhaps be convenient to the House if I repeated it.
"Yesterday morning, at 2.41, at General Eisenhower's headquarters, General Jodl, the representative of the German High Command and of Grand Admiral Doenitz, the designated head of the German State, signed the act of unconditional surrender of all German land, sea and air forces in Europe to the Allied Expeditionary Force, and, simultaneously, to the Soviet High Command. General Bedell Smith, who is the Chief of the Staff to the Allied Expeditionary Force-and not, as I stated in a slip just now, Chief of the Staff to the United States Army-and General François Sevez, signed the document on behalf of the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, and General Susloparoff signed on behalf of the Russian High Command.
"To-day this agreement will be ratified and confirmed at Berlin, where Air Chief Marshal Tedder, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, and General de Lattre de Tassigny, representing the French Republic, will sign on behalf of General Eisenhower, and General Zhukov will sign on behalf of the Soviet High Command. The German representatives will be Field Marshal Keitel, Chief of the-High Command, and the Commanders-in-Chief of the German Army, Navy, and Air forces.
"Hostilities will end officially at one minute after midnight to-night, Tuesday, 8th May, but in the interests of saving lives the "Cease Fire" began yesterday to be sounded all along the fronts, and I should not forget to mention that our dear Channel Islands, the only part of His Majesty's Dominions that has been in the hands of the German foe, are also to be freed to-day. The Germans are still in places resisting Russian troops, but should they continue to do so after midnight, they will, of course, deprive themselves of the protection of the laws of war and will be attacked from all quarters by the Allied troops. It is not surprising that on such long fronts and in the existing disorder of the enemy that the orders of the German High Command should not in every case have been obeyed. This does not, in our opinion, constitute any reason for withholding from the nation the facts communicated to us by General Eisenhower of the unconditional surrender already signed at Rheims, nor should it prevent us from celebrating to-day, and to-morrow-Wednesday-as Victory-in-Europe Days, and I think that to-morrow it may be specially desirable for us to emphasise the debt we owe to our Soviet Ally, whose main celebrations will be taking place to-morrow.
"The German war, Mr. Speaker, is therefore at an end. After years of intense preparation Germany hurled herself on Poland at the beginning of September, 1939, and in pursuance of our guarantee to Poland, and in common action with the French Republic, Great Britain and the British Empire and Commonwealth of Nations declared war against this foul aggression. After gallant France had been struck down we from this Island and from our united Empire maintained the struggle single-handed for a whole year until we were joined by the military might of Soviet Russia and later by the overwhelming power and resources of the United States of America. Finally almost the whole world was combined against the evildoers, who are now prostrate before us. Sir, our gratitude to our splendid Allies goes forth from all our hearts. We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing, but let us not forget for a moment the toils and efforts that lie ahead. Japan, with all her treachery and greed, remains unsubdued. The injuries she has inflicted upon Great Britain, the United States and other countries and her detestable cruelties call forth justice and retribution. We must now devote all our strength and resources to the completion of our tasks both at home and abroad. Advance Britannia! Long Live the Cause of Freedom! God Save the King!
"Sir, that is the message which I have been instructed to deliver to the British Nation and Commonwealth. I have only two or three sentences to add. They will convey to the House my deep gratitude to this House of Commons which has proved itself the strongest foundation for waging war that has ever been seen in the whole of our long history. We have all of us made our mistakes, but the strength of the Parliamentary institution has been shown to enable it at the same moment to preserve all the title deeds of democracy while waging war in the most stern and protracted form. I wish to give my hearty thanks to men of all Parties, to everyone in every part of the House where they sit, for the way in which the liveliness of Parliamentary institutions has been maintained under the fire of the enemy and for the way in which we have been able to persevere-and we could have persevered much longer if the need had been-till all the objectives which we set before us of the procuring of the unlimited and unconditional surrender of the enemy had been achieved. I recollect well at the end of the last war, more than a quarter of a century ago, that the House, when it heard the long list of the surrender terms, the armistice terms, which had been imposed upon the Germans did not feel inclined for debate or business but desired to offer thanks to Almighty God, to the Great Power which seems to shape and design the fortunes of nations and the destiny of man, and I therefore beg, Sir, with your permission to move:
"'That this House do now attend at the Church of St. Margaret, Westminster, to give humble and reverent thanks to Almighty God for our deliverance from the threat of German domination.'"
The War in Europe Is Ended! -New York Times
"Yesterday morning, at 2.41, at General Eisenhower's headquarters, General Jodl, the representative of the German High Command and of Grand Admiral Doenitz, the designated head of the German State, signed the act of unconditional surrender of all German land, sea and air forces in Europe to the Allied Expeditionary Force, and, simultaneously, to the Soviet High Command. General Bedell Smith, who is the Chief of the Staff to the Allied Expeditionary Force-and not, as I stated in a slip just now, Chief of the Staff to the United States Army-and General François Sevez, signed the document on behalf of the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, and General Susloparoff signed on behalf of the Russian High Command.
"To-day this agreement will be ratified and confirmed at Berlin, where Air Chief Marshal Tedder, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, and General de Lattre de Tassigny, representing the French Republic, will sign on behalf of General Eisenhower, and General Zhukov will sign on behalf of the Soviet High Command. The German representatives will be Field Marshal Keitel, Chief of the-High Command, and the Commanders-in-Chief of the German Army, Navy, and Air forces.
"Hostilities will end officially at one minute after midnight to-night, Tuesday, 8th May, but in the interests of saving lives the "Cease Fire" began yesterday to be sounded all along the fronts, and I should not forget to mention that our dear Channel Islands, the only part of His Majesty's Dominions that has been in the hands of the German foe, are also to be freed to-day. The Germans are still in places resisting Russian troops, but should they continue to do so after midnight, they will, of course, deprive themselves of the protection of the laws of war and will be attacked from all quarters by the Allied troops. It is not surprising that on such long fronts and in the existing disorder of the enemy that the orders of the German High Command should not in every case have been obeyed. This does not, in our opinion, constitute any reason for withholding from the nation the facts communicated to us by General Eisenhower of the unconditional surrender already signed at Rheims, nor should it prevent us from celebrating to-day, and to-morrow-Wednesday-as Victory-in-Europe Days, and I think that to-morrow it may be specially desirable for us to emphasise the debt we owe to our Soviet Ally, whose main celebrations will be taking place to-morrow.
"The German war, Mr. Speaker, is therefore at an end. After years of intense preparation Germany hurled herself on Poland at the beginning of September, 1939, and in pursuance of our guarantee to Poland, and in common action with the French Republic, Great Britain and the British Empire and Commonwealth of Nations declared war against this foul aggression. After gallant France had been struck down we from this Island and from our united Empire maintained the struggle single-handed for a whole year until we were joined by the military might of Soviet Russia and later by the overwhelming power and resources of the United States of America. Finally almost the whole world was combined against the evildoers, who are now prostrate before us. Sir, our gratitude to our splendid Allies goes forth from all our hearts. We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing, but let us not forget for a moment the toils and efforts that lie ahead. Japan, with all her treachery and greed, remains unsubdued. The injuries she has inflicted upon Great Britain, the United States and other countries and her detestable cruelties call forth justice and retribution. We must now devote all our strength and resources to the completion of our tasks both at home and abroad. Advance Britannia! Long Live the Cause of Freedom! God Save the King!
"Sir, that is the message which I have been instructed to deliver to the British Nation and Commonwealth. I have only two or three sentences to add. They will convey to the House my deep gratitude to this House of Commons which has proved itself the strongest foundation for waging war that has ever been seen in the whole of our long history. We have all of us made our mistakes, but the strength of the Parliamentary institution has been shown to enable it at the same moment to preserve all the title deeds of democracy while waging war in the most stern and protracted form. I wish to give my hearty thanks to men of all Parties, to everyone in every part of the House where they sit, for the way in which the liveliness of Parliamentary institutions has been maintained under the fire of the enemy and for the way in which we have been able to persevere-and we could have persevered much longer if the need had been-till all the objectives which we set before us of the procuring of the unlimited and unconditional surrender of the enemy had been achieved. I recollect well at the end of the last war, more than a quarter of a century ago, that the House, when it heard the long list of the surrender terms, the armistice terms, which had been imposed upon the Germans did not feel inclined for debate or business but desired to offer thanks to Almighty God, to the Great Power which seems to shape and design the fortunes of nations and the destiny of man, and I therefore beg, Sir, with your permission to move:
"'That this House do now attend at the Church of St. Margaret, Westminster, to give humble and reverent thanks to Almighty God for our deliverance from the threat of German domination.'"
The War in Europe Is Ended! -New York Times
"The President... he wasn't swept up by anti-Japanese fervor... now that we've dealt with Germany, he... he thought we could just get Japan out of the way... at the very least, after we've taken Manchuria..."
-John Dulles, in an interview circa 1958
"Ever heard of the Aizu Region? It's the westernmost of the Fukushima Prefecture... countryside, miles and miles of it... we presented it to the President, as he wanted a place with almost no civilians or civilian infrastructure... and he found it acceptable."
-George Marshall's memoir
-John Dulles, in an interview circa 1958
"Ever heard of the Aizu Region? It's the westernmost of the Fukushima Prefecture... countryside, miles and miles of it... we presented it to the President, as he wanted a place with almost no civilians or civilian infrastructure... and he found it acceptable."
-George Marshall's memoir
Lost Freeway
Banned
The Japanese won't cowed by a nuclear explosion in the middle of nowhere, and neither will the Soviets.