The Eisenhower Era The Eisenhower Era The Eisenhower Era The Eisenhower Era

1952-19601952-1960

Dwight D. EisenhowerDwight D. EisenhowerDwight D. EisenhowerDwight D. EisenhowerIke projected an Ike projected an

image of a "non-image of a "non-political" political" presidentpresident

Immensely Immensely popular popular grandfather figuregrandfather figure

McCarthy HearingsMcCarthy HearingsMcCarthy HearingsMcCarthy HearingsMcCarthy begins hearings McCarthy begins hearings

into the existence of into the existence of Communists in the ArmyCommunists in the Army

George Marshall George Marshall denounceddenounced

Army-McCarthy HearingsArmy-McCarthy HearingsArmy-McCarthy HearingsArmy-McCarthy Hearings

Eisenhower allows Eisenhower allows McCarthy to dictate State McCarthy to dictate State Department personnel Department personnel policy & does not condemn policy & does not condemn himhim

McCarthy later censured by McCarthy later censured by the Senate -- many Asia the Senate -- many Asia experts will be fired as experts will be fired as communist sympathizerscommunist sympathizers

Eisenhower RepublicanismEisenhower RepublicanismEisenhower RepublicanismEisenhower RepublicanismEisenhower pledges a Eisenhower pledges a

philosophy of “Dynamic philosophy of “Dynamic Conservatism”Conservatism”

Balance the Federal Balance the Federal budget & halt “creeping budget & halt “creeping socialism”socialism”

Halted the growth of the Halted the growth of the TVA & condemned free TVA & condemned free polio vaccines as polio vaccines as “socialized medicine”“socialized medicine”

Called a halt to massive Called a halt to massive military build-upmilitary build-up

Many New Deal programs Many New Deal programs were actually extended were actually extended such as Social Securitysuch as Social Security

1954: Interstate Highway 1954: Interstate Highway system system Eisenhower also called for Eisenhower also called for

its creation leading to its creation leading to increased suburbanizationincreased suburbanization

Only 3 of his 8 years will Only 3 of his 8 years will see balanced budgets & see balanced budgets & he will incur the largest he will incur the largest peacetime budget deficit peacetime budget deficit until the Reagan until the Reagan administrationadministration

Economic troubles will Economic troubles will lead to the Democrats lead to the Democrats regaining Congress in regaining Congress in 19541954

1955: CIO merged with the 1955: CIO merged with the AFL to form the AFL-CIOAFL to form the AFL-CIO

Civil Rights in the 1950sCivil Rights in the 1950sCivil Rights in the 1950sCivil Rights in the 1950sCongress & President Congress & President

refused to move on civil refused to move on civil rightsrights

Earl Warren’s court took Earl Warren’s court took initiativeinitiative

““SeparateSeparatebut but

Equal” Equal”

““SeparateSeparatebut but

Equal” Equal”

Case reversed the “separate Case reversed the “separate but equal” doctrine of but equal” doctrine of Plessy Plessy v. Ferguson v. Ferguson

Segregated schools are Segregated schools are “inherently unequal”“inherently unequal”

Brown v. Board of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 1954Education of Topeka, 1954Brown v. Board of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 1954Education of Topeka, 1954

Southern schools refused Southern schools refused to desegregate putting up to desegregate putting up “massive resistance” “massive resistance”

Eisenhower did not Eisenhower did not endorse the decisionendorse the decision

Civil Rights ConfrontationsCivil Rights ConfrontationsCivil Rights ConfrontationsCivil Rights ConfrontationsMontgomery Bus Boycott Montgomery Bus Boycott

(1955-56)(1955-56)Dec 1955: Rosa Parks Dec 1955: Rosa Parks

refuses to move to back of refuses to move to back of bus in Montgomery, AL bus in Montgomery, AL

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. organizes bus boycottorganizes bus boycott

Rosa ParksRosa ParksRosa ParksRosa Parks

“Thank you Sister Rosa. You are the spark that started our freedom movement. Thank you sister Rosa Parks.”

-Neville Bros.

•Leader for Black Civil Rights

•End Jim Crow Laws

•Promote integration

• Increase voting rights

•Bring about a true democracy

•Rights deprived since Civil War

•Leader for Black Civil Rights

•End Jim Crow Laws

•Promote integration

• Increase voting rights

•Bring about a true democracy

•Rights deprived since Civil War

Martin Luther King, Jr.Martin Luther King, Jr.Martin Luther King, Jr.Martin Luther King, Jr.

Little Rock Crisis (1957)Little Rock Crisis (1957)Little Rock Crisis (1957)Little Rock Crisis (1957)Gov. Orval Faubus mobilized Gov. Orval Faubus mobilized

the Arkansas National Guard the Arkansas National Guard to stop 9 black children from to stop 9 black children from attending Central High in Little attending Central High in Little Rock, ArkansasRock, Arkansas

Eisenhower sent troops to Eisenhower sent troops to escort the childrenescort the children

““Little Rock Nine”Little Rock Nine”““Little Rock Nine”Little Rock Nine”

1957 Civil Rights Act set up 1957 Civil Rights Act set up a Civil Rights Commission a Civil Rights Commission to investigate civil rights to investigate civil rights violationsviolations

Foreign Policy Foreign Policy Challenges of the Challenges of the 1950s1950s

Foreign Policy Foreign Policy Challenges of the Challenges of the 1950s1950s

The Cold War WanesThe Cold War WanesThe Cold War WanesThe Cold War WanesArmistice in KoreaArmistice in Korea

Cease-fire declared at Cease-fire declared at Panmunjom Panmunjom

Short of victoryShort of victory

March 1953: Stalin dies March 1953: Stalin dies 1955: Khrushchev gains 1955: Khrushchev gains

power in USSRpower in USSRDenounces Stalin & seeks Denounces Stalin & seeks

peaceful coexistencepeaceful coexistence

De-De-Stalinization Stalinization

ProgramProgram

BrinkmanshipBrinkmanshipBrinkmanshipBrinkmanshipSec. of State John Foster Sec. of State John Foster

Dulles vows to "roll back" Dulles vows to "roll back" CommunismCommunism

Vows massive retaliationVows massive retaliationFollows policy of Follows policy of

“brinkmanship” “brinkmanship”

Radio Free EuropeRadio Free EuropeRadio Free EuropeRadio Free Europe

““New Look” MilitaryNew Look” Military““New Look” MilitaryNew Look” MilitaryCalled for more use of Called for more use of

airforce & nuclear weaponsairforce & nuclear weapons““More bang for the buck” More bang for the buck”

would deter the spread of would deter the spread of communismcommunism

Vietnam (1954)Vietnam (1954)Vietnam (1954)Vietnam (1954)French lose Battle of Dien French lose Battle of Dien

Bien Phu in Vietnam to Bien Phu in Vietnam to Communists under Ho Chi Communists under Ho Chi MinhMinh

Geneva Conference divides Geneva Conference divides country at 17country at 17thth parallel parallel

Elections fall through & US Elections fall through & US backs Ngo Dinh Diem in the backs Ngo Dinh Diem in the southsouth

US forms SEATO treatyUS forms SEATO treatyDomino Theory establishedDomino Theory establishedMilitary advisors sent overMilitary advisors sent over

Geneva Summit (1955)Geneva Summit (1955)Geneva Summit (1955)Geneva Summit (1955)Brinkmanship, West Germany Brinkmanship, West Germany

in NATO, creation of the in NATO, creation of the Warsaw Pact were leading to Warsaw Pact were leading to increases in tensionincreases in tension

Eisenhower sought direct Eisenhower sought direct discussion with Sovietsdiscussion with SovietsSoviets agree to withdraw from Soviets agree to withdraw from

AustriaAustria

Warsaw Pact (1955)Warsaw Pact (1955)

U. S. S. R.U. S. S. R.

AlbaniaAlbania

BulgariaBulgaria

CzechoslovaCzechoslovakiakia

East East GermanyGermany

HungaryHungary

PolandPoland

RumaniaRumania

Hungarian Revolt (1956)Hungarian Revolt (1956)Hungarian Revolt (1956)Hungarian Revolt (1956)Demonstration in Hungary Demonstration in Hungary

leads to open revoltleads to open revoltSoviets invade & crush Soviets invade & crush

rebellionrebellionAmerican lack of reaction American lack of reaction

points out the problems with points out the problems with the “New Look” militarythe “New Look” military

Suez Crisis (1956)Suez Crisis (1956)Suez Crisis (1956)Suez Crisis (1956)Israel, France, & Britain Israel, France, & Britain

invade Egypt to take back invade Egypt to take back canalcanal

US denounces attackUS denounces attackSoviets side with USSoviets side with USEgypt given canalEgypt given canal

The Suez Crisis: 1956-1957The Suez Crisis: 1956-1957The Suez Crisis: 1956-1957The Suez Crisis: 1956-1957

Election of 1956Election of 1956Election of 1956Election of 1956Democrats returned to Democrats returned to

Adlai Stevenson who Adlai Stevenson who attacked “Ike,” his attacked “Ike,” his conservatism, & the conservatism, & the dubious moral character of dubious moral character of “Tricky Dick” Nixon“Tricky Dick” Nixon

Republicans re-nominate Republicans re-nominate Eisenhower & Nixon Eisenhower & Nixon

Leadership of president Leadership of president overrides concerns of poor overrides concerns of poor health (heart attack & health (heart attack & abdominal surgery) abdominal surgery)

Ike wins 457 - 73Ike wins 457 - 73

Ike’s Second TermIke’s Second TermIke’s Second TermIke’s Second Term1959: John Foster Dulles 1959: John Foster Dulles

dies of cancer dies of cancer Presidential assistant Presidential assistant

Sherman Adams resigns in Sherman Adams resigns in scandalscandal

Eisenhower begins taking a Eisenhower begins taking a more active role in last 2 more active role in last 2 yearsyears

Teamster TroublesTeamster TroublesTeamster TroublesTeamster TroublesSenates investigates Senates investigates

corruption in Jimmy Hoffa’s corruption in Jimmy Hoffa’s Teamsters UnionTeamsters Union

Teamsters expelled from AFL-Teamsters expelled from AFL-CIOCIO

1959: Passes the Landrum-1959: Passes the Landrum-Griffin Act to end corruption in Griffin Act to end corruption in unionsunions

The Space RaceThe Space RaceThe Space RaceThe Space RaceOct. 1957: Soviets launch Oct. 1957: Soviets launch

Sputnik satelliteSputnik satelliteEisenhower declares the Eisenhower declares the

little basketball should not little basketball should not cause “one iota” of concerncause “one iota” of concern

It does!!It does!!““Space Race” beginsSpace Race” begins

The Space RaceThe Space RaceThe Space RaceThe Space Race

Race to Beat the RussiansRace to Beat the Russians

Effects of Sputnik on the USEffects of Sputnik on the USEffects of Sputnik on the USEffects of Sputnik on the US

Worries emerge over a Worries emerge over a “missile gap”“missile gap”

First American attempts to First American attempts to launch missiles end in launch missiles end in disaster - “Kaputniks”disaster - “Kaputniks”1958: Explorer I launched1958: Explorer I launched

National Defense & National Defense & Education ActEducation ActLoans to students & Loans to students &

spending on science spending on science educationeducation

1958: NASA established1958: NASA established

Atomic Anxieties:

•“Duck-and-Cover Generation”

Atomic Anxieties:

•“Duck-and-Cover Generation”

Atomic Testing:

• Between July 16, 1945 and Sept. 23, 1992, the United States conducted 1,054 official nuclear tests, most of them at the Nevada Test Site.

Atomic Testing:

• Between July 16, 1945 and Sept. 23, 1992, the United States conducted 1,054 official nuclear tests, most of them at the Nevada Test Site.

Americans began Americans began building building

underground bomb underground bomb shelters and cities shelters and cities had underground had underground fallout shelters.fallout shelters.

Americans began Americans began building building

underground bomb underground bomb shelters and cities shelters and cities had underground had underground fallout shelters.fallout shelters.

Other Effects of Sputnik on the USOther Effects of Sputnik on the US

Eisenhower DoctrineEisenhower DoctrineEisenhower DoctrineEisenhower Doctrine1957: Congress agrees that 1957: Congress agrees that

US will send troops to US will send troops to Middle East to halt Middle East to halt communist aggressioncommunist aggression

1958: US sends troops to 1958: US sends troops to Lebanon to keep peace in Lebanon to keep peace in Civil WarCivil War

Berlin Crisis (1958)Berlin Crisis (1958)Berlin Crisis (1958)Berlin Crisis (1958)Soviets give 6 month Soviets give 6 month

deadline for western deadline for western powers to leave Berlinpowers to leave Berlin

Eisenhower refuses to Eisenhower refuses to budge & Krushchev backs budge & Krushchev backs downdown

Dulles says “we looked Dulles says “we looked Russia right in the eye & Russia right in the eye & they blinked”they blinked”

Goodwill DiplomacyGoodwill DiplomacyGoodwill DiplomacyGoodwill DiplomacyEisenhower goes on Eisenhower goes on

“Goodwill Tour” of Europe, “Goodwill Tour” of Europe, India, & later Latin AmericaIndia, & later Latin America

Krushchev comes to Krushchev comes to America & meets Ike at America & meets Ike at Camp DavidCamp David

Krushchev Krushchev in in

AmericaAmerica

Krushchev Krushchev in in

AmericaAmerica

Paris Summit (1960)Paris Summit (1960)Paris Summit (1960)Paris Summit (1960)Paris “Summit Paris “Summit

Conference” called for MayConference” called for MayAmerican U2 spy plane American U2 spy plane

shot down over Russia on shot down over Russia on the eve of Paris Summitthe eve of Paris Summit

U-2 U-2 IncidentIncident

U-2 U-2 IncidentIncident

What’s so funny?

Plausible Deniability?Plausible Deniability?Plausible Deniability?Plausible Deniability?

Nixon’s “Kitchen Debates”Nixon’s “Kitchen Debates”Nixon’s “Kitchen Debates”Nixon’s “Kitchen Debates”1959: Nixon goes to USSR 1959: Nixon goes to USSR

& debates with Khrushchev & debates with Khrushchev over which economic over which economic system is bettersystem is better

The “New” Nixon emerges The “New” Nixon emerges as a world statesmanas a world statesman

Nixon’s “Kitchen Debates”Nixon’s “Kitchen Debates”Nixon’s “Kitchen Debates”Nixon’s “Kitchen Debates”

More Trouble in Latin More Trouble in Latin AmericaAmericaMore Trouble in Latin More Trouble in Latin AmericaAmerica1954: CIA led a coup that 1954: CIA led a coup that

overthrew a leftist overthrew a leftist government in Guatemalagovernment in Guatemala

Nixon goes on a goodwill Nixon goes on a goodwill tour of Latin America & tour of Latin America & attacked by mobsattacked by mobs

Fidel CastroFidel CastroFidel CastroFidel Castro1959: Castro 1959: Castro

overthrows overthrows Bautista in Cuba Bautista in Cuba & becomes & becomes Soviet satellite Soviet satellite

Washington Washington cuts relations cuts relations with Cuba in `61with Cuba in `61

Eisenhower RetiresEisenhower RetiresEisenhower RetiresEisenhower RetiresPut to rest fears of Put to rest fears of

presidents being “lame presidents being “lame ducks” because of the 22ducks” because of the 22ndnd AmendmentAmendment

More vigorous & active in More vigorous & active in his second term his second term

Retired as a very popular Retired as a very popular presidentpresident

Farewell IkeFarewell IkeFarewell IkeFarewell Ike

Ike’s Farewell AddressIke’s Farewell AddressIke’s Farewell AddressIke’s Farewell AddressIn his farewell address he In his farewell address he

warned the country against warned the country against the rising power of the the rising power of the “military-industrial “military-industrial complex”complex”

1960 Election1960 Election1960 Election1960 ElectionRepublicans nominate Republicans nominate

Richard Nixon & Henry Richard Nixon & Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. Cabot Lodge Jr.

Democrats run John F. Democrats run John F. Kennedy & Lyndon Baines Kennedy & Lyndon Baines JohnsonJohnson

John F. KennedyJohn F. KennedyJohn F. KennedyJohn F. KennedyKennedy’s Kennedy’s

Catholicism Catholicism became an became an issueissue

Kennedy-Nixon DebatesKennedy-Nixon DebatesKennedy-Nixon DebatesKennedy-Nixon DebatesKennedy & Nixon meet in Kennedy & Nixon meet in

TV debatesTV debatesKennedy holds his own Kennedy holds his own

against more experienced against more experienced NixonNixon

JFK JFK looked looked betterbetter

These debates impacted how the presidency would be perceived by Americans.

These debates impacted how the presidency would be perceived by Americans.

The The ResultsResults

The The ResultsResults

The ResultsThe ResultsThe ResultsThe ResultsKennedy wins 303 to 219 Kennedy wins 303 to 219

electoral votes electoral votes Popular vote difference Popular vote difference

only 118,574only 118,574Nixon refused to contest Nixon refused to contest

the election despite the election despite rumors of election fraudrumors of election fraud

President KennedyPresident KennedyPresident KennedyPresident KennedyKennedy becomes the Kennedy becomes the

youngest (43) president youngest (43) president ever elected & the nation’s ever elected & the nation’s first Catholic presidentfirst Catholic president