Byrnes, burnz, James Francis (1882-1972), is best remembered as secretary of state under President Harry S. Truman from 1945 to 1947. With the creation of the United Nations in 1945, Byrnes hoped for international cooperation. By 1946, however, conflicts had arisen between the United States and the Soviet Union over the future of Eastern Europe, Iran, and Germany. Truman became convinced that Byrnes had been too "soft" on the Soviets. In January 1947, General George C. Marshall replaced Byrnes as secretary of state.