The presidency under Eisenhower

Who was Dwight D. Eisenhower

Also known as 'Ike', he was the 34th president of the United States, a five-star general, Supreme Commander of the Allies in Europe during WWII, and supreme commander of NATO.

What was Eisenhower's political style

He was a classic Republican who valued leading without infringing on states' rights and preferred minimal government involvement.

Who was Adlai Stevenson

He was the Governor of Illinois and Democratic candidate for president in 1952 and 1956, later appointed Ambassador to the UN by JFK in 1961.

What ended the 20 years of Democratic presidents in 1952

Dwight D. Eisenhower's landslide election victory over Adlai Stevenson.

How was Eisenhower perceived by the American public

He was seen as honourable, affable, and gregarious, an American hero who commanded respect and inspired confidence.

What personal detail is notable about Eisenhower's family

He was devoted to his wife Mamie and had two children, only one surviving into adulthood, and he was close to his grandchild David, after whom Camp David is named.

When did Eisenhower first vote and commit to a political party

He first voted in 1948 and committed to the Republican Party in 1951 after declining Truman's offers to run as a Democrat.

What was Eisenhower's famous election slogan

'I like Ike', which resonated with 55% of the electorate.

Who was Richard Nixon

He was the 37th President of the United States, served in Congress at 34, became Senator for California at 37, lost the 1960 election to Kennedy, but won the presidency in 1968.

What was Nixon's early political fame based on

He made his name during the Alger Hiss spy case.

Who did Nixon defeat to become President in 1968

He defeated Hubert Humphrey.

What were the highlights and downfall of Nixon's presidency

His first term included foreign policy success in Vietnam and a strong re-election, but he was later brought down by the Watergate Scandal.

How did Eisenhower's 1952 election campaign gain success

He ran a clever campaign ignoring Stevenson and attacking Truman with the formula K1C2 (Korea, communism, corruption).

What promise helped Eisenhower win the 1952 election

He promised to go to Korea to end the war.

What was a notable mistake Eisenhower made during the campaign

He chose not to defend General George C. Marshall against McCarthy's accusations, which looked like cowardice.

How well did Eisenhower perform in the Southern states in 1952

He did well in the Dixiecrat South, winning Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, and Texas.

What were the achievements of Eisenhower's first term

Economic growth, ending the Korean War, and effective crisis management in Hungary and Egypt.

What happened to Eisenhower in 1955

He suffered a major heart attack.

How did Eisenhower perform in the 1956 election

He was re-elected by a large margin, crushing Stevenson again.

What was unusual about Eisenhower's election victories

He was the first candidate since 1848 to win the presidency without his party controlling either the House or the Senate.

What was Eisenhower's domestic policy approach called

Dynamic conservatism or modern republicanism.

How did Eisenhower describe his political stance

Conservative with money, liberal with human beings.

What New Deal policy did Eisenhower acknowledge as popular and effective

Roosevelt's New Deal.

What domestic initiatives did Eisenhower introduce

A highway building programme, raising the minimum wage, and expanding benefits.

How did Eisenhower's approach differ from other Republican presidents

He intervened to stimulate the economy and expanded the limited welfare state.

What was Eisenhower's stance on the federal budget

He emphasised the need for a balanced budget, achieving it in 1956, 1957, and 1960.

How did Eisenhower balance government responsibility

He gave more responsibility to states and local governments.

What did Eisenhower prioritise reducing in favour of welfare expansion

Spending on the armed forces.

What is the main message of Eisenhower's 'A Chance for Peace' speech

Military spending diverts resources from vital social needs like food, clothing, schools, hospitals, and homes.

What examples did Eisenhower give to illustrate the cost of military spending

One bomber costs as much as a modern brick school in over 30 cities; one fighter costs half a million bushels of wheat; one destroyer costs homes for more than 8,000 people.

How did Eisenhower describe the world under the threat of war

As humanity hanging from a cross of iron.

Among Eisenhower's most successful domestic policies was the creation of which department

The Department of Health, Education and Welfare.

How many Americans did the expansion of social security benefits cover under Eisenhower

10 million Americans.

By how much did Eisenhower increase the minimum wage

By 25 per cent.

How much money was made available for low-income public housing

$500 million.

What major infrastructure project was started under the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956

41,000 miles of Interstate Highways built over 20 years.

What was the purpose of the soil bank established by Eisenhower

To pay farmers to withdraw lands from production to maintain food prices and conserve resources.

Which two new states were admitted during Eisenhower's presidency

Alaska and Hawaii.

Which civil rights legislation was introduced by Eisenhower

Two civil rights acts in 1957 and 1960.

How did Eisenhower's willingness to intervene differ from later Republican presidents

He was far more willing to involve the federal government in education, health, housing, and benefits.

What domestic challenges did Eisenhower face despite successes

Three recessions, growth of civil rights campaigns, and dealing with McCarthy.

What was Eisenhower's approval rating like during his presidency

Often over 70 per cent, much higher than other presidents from 1945 to 1980.

What is a recession

The financial year is divided into quarters (periods of three months) during which economists calculate whether the economy has grown; if the figures for two consecutive quarters are negative, i.e., the economy has shrunk, the country is said to be in recession.

What does the term 'big government' mean

A critical term often used by right-wing politicians to describe a government that they feel is too large, inefficient, or spends excessively. It is often attributed to Roosevelt's 'New Deal' and Truman's 'Fair Deal'.

What does 'rolled back' mean

To move back to a previous state in terms of expenditure or bureaucratic expansion.

What criticisms did Eisenhower face regarding his use of presidential powers

Some believed he had not used his powers effectively to protect individual freedom and ensure justice.

What was Eisenhower's approach to government intervention

He aimed to lead the US down a middle path between big government intervention and rampant capitalism.

How successful was Eisenhower in working with Congress during his presidency

Only ten of the 83 bills he sent to Congress were rejected.

What happened to the Republican Party in the 1958 midterm elections

They performed badly, with only 34 of 98 Senators and 154 of 436 seats in the House of Representatives.

What events contributed to the perception of a defeat for Eisenhower's administration in the late 1950s

The second recession in eight years and the Soviet Union's successes in the space race, including launching Sputnik and Laika.

How did domestic spending change during Eisenhower's presidency

Domestic spending rose from 31% of the budget in 1953 to 49% in 1961.

Despite economic growth, what proportion of Americans were living in poverty during Eisenhower's presidency

One in every four Americans, about forty million people.

What did Michael Harrington's book The Other America describe

The invisible poverty in America, with poor people isolated from middle-class Americans and lacking political voice.

Where was poverty most prevalent in the US according to Harrington

Almost half of the country's poor lived in the South, black and white alike; in the North, poverty was mainly among African-Americans in inner cities and Native Americans.

What was the Indian Relocation Act of 1956

A government policy encouraging Native Americans to move from reservations to cities to assimilate into mainstream American society.

How did Eisenhower's administration change its relationship with religion

It drew closer to the Church than any previous administration, with Eisenhower attending church regularly and inviting evangelist Billy Graham to the White House.

What religious phrases were added during Eisenhower's presidency

The words "under God" were added to the Pledge of Allegiance, and "In God We Trust" was made the national motto by Congress.

What percentage of the US population identified as Protestant in 1957

66 per cent, with 26 per cent Catholic and 3 per cent Jewish.

What was the long-term political effect of Eisenhower's relationship with the Protestant Church

The close relationship between the Protestant Church and the Republican Party became a feature of the rest of the century.

What brought Nixon to public attention before becoming vice president

He pursued the Alger Hiss case as a congressman.

Why did Eisenhower choose Nixon as his running mate

To balance the ticket by bringing in a talented political operator to offset Eisenhower's lack of political experience.

What negative reputation did Nixon carry during his early political career

He had a tense relationship with the media and a reputation for corruption, nicknamed "Tricky Dicky."

What scandal threatened Nixon's vice-presidential career in 1952

Accusations that he had used $18,000 of political donations for personal use.

How did Nixon respond to the accusations of misuse of campaign funds

By delivering the televised "Checkers Speech," explaining his finances and appealing to the public's sympathy.

What was the significance of the dog 'Checkers' in Nixon's speech

It was a gift for his children, which he insisted they would keep, helping to humanise him and gain public support.

How does historian Irwin Gellman describe Nixon's role as vice president

As the first modern vice president, active in chairing the cabinet and National Security Council and presiding during Eisenhower's illness.

Did Eisenhower's personal popularity help the Republican Party's popularity

No, the party won narrow majorities in Congress in 1952 but lost control in 1954.

Who lost a Senate seat to John F. Kennedy in 1952

Henry Cabot Lodge.

Who took de facto leadership of the Republican Party during Eisenhower's presidency

Richard Nixon.

What is the likely reason Eisenhower's version of 'modern republicanism' failed to become the long-term party platform

Nixon's leadership and the loss of control of Congress, leading to a conservative backlash within the party.

When did the Republican Party regain control of the Senate and the House

Senate in 1980 and the House in 1994.

What did historian David Reinhard conclude about Eisenhower's and the GOP's popularity

"Voters liked Ike - but not the GOP."

What grassroots movement helped Eisenhower in 1952

"Citizens for Eisenhower," which canvassed and got the vote out.

Why did Eisenhower's approach alienate grassroots Republicans

He ignored their efforts to create a wider, more inclusive party, leading to a conservative backlash led by Barry Goldwater.

What does "the ticket" refer to in US elections

A pair of candidates elected in a single vote, usually president and vice president.

Who is sometimes called a "running mate"

The vice president.

What does GOP stand for

Grand Old Party, an informal name for the Republican Party.

Who failed to deal with the paranoia of McCarthyism

Truman.

Whose presidential bid was tainted by McCarthyism

Adlai Stevenson's.

Why was Eisenhower initially protected from McCarthy's influence

Because of his status as a war hero.

What did opinion polls in 1953 suggest about public support for McCarthy

Half the population were in favour of McCarthy's crusade.

Why did Eisenhower fear confronting McCarthy directly

It might weaken his prestige or be turned to McCarthy's advantage.

What event brought the McCarthy situation to a head in 1954

Televised hearings on communist influence in the army.

What famous question did Joseph Welch ask McCarthy during the hearings

"Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last?"

What was the Senate's response to McCarthy by the end of 1954

They voted to censure him for conduct unbecoming a senator.

How did Eisenhower describe McCarthy after the censure

As "McCarthywasm."

When did McCarthy die and what was the cause

In 1957, from alcoholism.

What do recent conservative authors and historians suggest about McCarthy's lists

Of the 159 people identified, nine had aided Soviet espionage efforts.

What did George Kennan believe about Soviet infiltration

That infiltration of the US government by Soviet agents was real.

What is a more nuanced interpretation of McCarthy's motives

His motives were correct but his black and white approach caused untold damage.