Eisenhower as president

Why Eisenhower?

The US had a tradition of soldier presidents

Eisenhower benefited from the split in the Democratic party and Truman's unpopularity in his last 5 years in office

Eisenhower appeared as a man with no previous association to local politics

Early Life

Grew up in Abilene, Kansas

Won a place in West Point military academy

Professional Life

At West Point, Eisenhower was a military trainer

He did not see combat in WWI

From 1927 he worked as a military historian

Later, he rose to the rank of brigadier general due to his skillful organization in military excercises

WWII

He was a leading Allied army general

NATOs first supreme commander

Favored Individual responsibility rather than government backing

Opposed big government

Supported big business

Eisenhower greatly trusted his Cabinet members, letting them implement policies they believed were fit.

Economy

Communism/anti-communism

National Security

Civil rights

Eisenhower was not a "fan" of McCarthy's actions

McCarthy became chairman of the Senate Permanent Investigation Subcommittee.

McCarthy's popularity came down as he accused a respected army dentist of being a communist.

Cut taxes by $7 billion

Social Security extended to the self-employed

Raise minimum wage from $0.75 to $1

Defense Reorganization Act: Allowed greater control over military spending.

The price of crops was low due to abundant supply

Eisenhower's government cut crop subsidies, purchased land strips, exported food as aid abroad, and formed a Soil Bank, in hopes that the supply of crops would lower there for the price would increase.

Farmers were unhappy with the policies as they meant lower production and earnings.

Eisenhower maintained presidency

Nixon, even though he was not Eisenhower preferred running mate, maintained the vide presidency.

Republicans gathered African American support.

Democrats gained traction winning the Senate and gaining seats in the House of Representatives.

Desegregation of military

Appointed African Americans to high government positions

Encouraged trade unions to admit African Americans

Demanded desegregation of interstate dining facilities on trains

Segregated public schools became unconstitutional

Key Events:

The Montgomery Bus Boycott, 1955-56

Little Rock Arkansas, 1957

The Civil Rights Act, 1957

Unemployment rose in 1957-58

Congress passed a $! billion subsidy for housing and road construction

USSR launches Sputnik (1957), encouraging spending in education and technological development

In the face the rising unemployment , the Government invested in Social Security, a new Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.

The budget deficit, concerningly, grew to $12.5 billion