Final answer:
Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry Truman provided critical leadership during World War II, with FDR mobilizing domestic industry and setting a vision for a post-war world while Truman concluded the war and began efforts to contain communism, marking the start of the Cold War.
Step-by-step explanation:
Evaluating Presidential Leadership During WWII
The domestic and international leadership of Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) and Harry Truman were pivotal during World War II. President Roosevelt navigated American isolationist sentiment by supporting the Allies through measures like the Lend-Lease policy before the U.S. officially entered the war after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. FDR's vision of a post-war world included the ideas of free trade and decolonization as outlined in the Atlantic Charter, intending to replace the British imperial system. The domestic industry under his leadership rapidly mobilized to support the war effort, leading to near-full employment and setting the stage for the U.S. to emerge as an economic powerhouse after the war.
After assuming the presidency, Harry Truman was faced with concluding the war and shaping the post-war order. His leadership saw the end of WWII and the beginning of measures to prevent the spread of communism, including the Truman Doctrine and the creation of NATO. Truman's presidency marked the start of the Cold War as tensions with the Soviet Union increased. Both presidents played crucial roles in international relations with allies and pursued policies that positioned the United States as a global leader in the aftermath of the war.