--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In that war, the United States had…" description: "\"“In that war, the United States had created military forces so enormous as to defy description, yet now, when the nation’s greatest leader in that war ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a27/garrett-m-graff-7343_american-democracy_in-that-war-the-united-states-had-create_1025887.jpg" --- # In that war, the United States had created military forces… ![“In that war, the United States had created military forces so enormous as to defy description, yet now, when the nation’s greatest leader in that war lay dead, and a simple ceremony was about to acknowledge the presence of his successor in the nation’s greatest office, only two uniforms were…” quote by Garrett M. Graff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a27/garrett-m-graff-7343_american-democracy_in-that-war-the-united-states-had-create_1025887.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a27/garrett-m-graff-7343_american-democracy_in-that-war-the-united-states-had-create_1025887.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a27/garrett-m-graff-7343_american-democracy_in-that-war-the-united-states-had-create_1025887.jpg) > ““In that war, the United States had created military forces so enormous as to defy description, yet now, when the nation’s greatest leader in that war lay dead, and a simple ceremony was about to acknowledge the presence of his successor in the nation’s greatest office, only two uniforms were present.” No one else noticed the military’s absence, but Truman thought it a remarkable testament to American democracy that no one asked the country’s powerful military leaders whom they supported as their next leader. “The very fact that no thought was given to it demonstrates convincingly how firmly the concept of supremacy of the civil authority is accepted in our land,” Truman observed.”” [Garrett M. Graff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrett-m-graff/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Truman saw the lack of military presence at a ceremony as proof of civilian supremacy. **In simple terms:** Absence of troops showed civilian control. Key Takeaway Respect civil authority. Themes politics civil-military relations democracy Mood thoughtful historical Type reflective political When to use this quote - state ceremonies - leadership transitions - public perception Key Concepts civilian supremacy military symbolism Questions to Reflect On - What does this say about civil-military balance? - How might symbolism differ from reality? A Different Perspective May overlook practical reasons for absence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absence Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absence-truman-2314755/) [American democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-democracy/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Military Leaders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military-leaders/) [Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truman/) [Truman Observed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truman-observed-2314754/) [Truman Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truman-thought-584208/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [“Truman thought. “I don’t know. Frankly, I identify with them quite a bit. 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