Eisenhower, known for his leadership during WWII and as NATO's first supreme commander, grew up in Kansas and attended West Point. As president, he opposed big government, favored big business, and supported individual responsibility.
The budget deficit, concerningly, grew to $12.5 billion
In the face the rising unemployment , the Government invested in Social Security, a new Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.
USSR launches Sputnik (1957), encouraging spending in education and technological development
Congress passed a $! billion subsidy for housing and road construction
Unemployment rose in 1957-58
Civil rights:
Key Events:
The Civil Rights Act, 1957
Little Rock Arkansas, 1957
The Montgomery Bus Boycott, 1955-56
Segregated public schools became unconstitutional
Demanded desegregation of interstate dining facilities on trains
Encouraged trade unions to admit African Americans
Appointed African Americans to high government positions
Desegregation of military
1956 Election
Democrats gained traction winning the Senate and gaining seats in the House of Representatives.
Republicans gathered African American support.
Nixon, even though he was not Eisenhower preferred running mate, maintained the vide presidency.
Eisenhower maintained presidency
Agriculture:
Farmers were unhappy with the policies as they meant lower production and earnings.
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.
The price of crops was low due to abundant supply
Financial Matters:
Defense Reorganization Act: Allowed greater control over military spending.
Raise minimum wage from $0.75 to $1
Social Security extended to the self-employed
Cut taxes by $7 billion
Down fall of senator McCarthy:
McCarthy's popularity came down as he accused a respected army dentist of being a communist.
McCarthy became chairman of the Senate Permanent Investigation Subcommittee.
Eisenhower was not a "fan" of McCarthy's actions
Inherited Challenges:
Civil rights
National Security
Communism/anti-communism
Economy
Eisenhower's government style:
Eisenhower greatly trusted his Cabinet members, letting them implement policies they believed were fit.
Eisenhower Doctrine:
Supported big business
Opposed big government
Favored Individual responsibility rather than government backing
Life before presidency:
WWII
NATOs first supreme commander
He was a leading Allied army general
Professional Life
Later, he rose to the rank of brigadier general due to his skillful organization in military excercises
From 1927 he worked as a military historian
He did not see combat in WWI
At West Point, Eisenhower was a military trainer
Early Life
Won a place in West Point military academy
Grew up in Abilene, Kansas
Road To President:
Why Eisenhower?
Eisenhower appeared as a man with no previous association to local politics
Eisenhower benefited from the split in the Democratic party and Truman's unpopularity in his last 5 years in office