Who had the better policy toward the USSR: FDR or Truman? Why?

Franklin D Roosevelt was president of USA from 1933 to
1944 and Harry S Truman, who was vice-president under Roosevelt, became president in
1944 after death of Roosevelt. It is not possible to compare policies of Roosevelt and
Truman towards USSR as the conditions in the world as well as political position of USSR
were poles apart during the president ship of these two
president.

FDR was president during period before World War
II, and at a time when the world as well as USA was struggling to overcome a severe
world wide depression. At this time USSR, after the revolution was still in the process
of consolidating its existence as a communist country, which at that time was a very new
concept. Once the World War II started the world situation changed drastically and all
foreign policies of USA, USSR and many other allied countries had to focus on winning
the war to exclusion of other issues. This was not the time for USA to emphasize the
difference with USSR. The right approach was to follow a policy of cooperation and
collaboration.

The Regime of Truman was mostly the post war
period, marked by intense rivalry between USA and USSR called cold war. This was the
period when There was a big threat perceived from USSR as a country trying to dominate
the world. The requirement of this time was to keep the power and influence of USSR
under check.

I believe that both Roosevelt and Truman
followed policies toward USSR which were by and large appropriate for the need of their
time. And Policies of both these presidents were appropriate in spite of being very
different.