Eisenhower's Policies, 1952-1961: A New Look in Defense and Cold War Strategies

1. Eisenhower’s Policies,1952 - 1961 • By late-1952, many Americans believed Truman’s foreign policy was not working. • Republican and WWII hero, Dwight D. Eisenhower, wins election in a landslide.

2. Eisenhower’s Policies,1952 - 1961 • By late-1952, many Americans believed Truman’s foreign policy was not working. • Republican and WWII hero, Dwight D. Eisenhower, wins election in a landslide. • Eisenhower introduces a “New Look” in defense policy: “We cannot defend the nation in a way which will exhaust our economy…. Nuclear weapons give more bang for the buck.”

3. Eisenhower’s Policies,1952 - 1961 Massive retaliation: the threat to use nuclear weapons if a Communist state tried to seize territory by force. As a result, military spending is slashed and the U.S. nuclear arsenal grows from 1,000 bombs in 1952 to 18,000 in 1961.

4. Nuclear Build-up The atomic bomb used on Hiroshima had an explosive force of 20,000 tons of TNT Most nuclear bombs made during the Cold War were hydrogen bombs – 20 to 50 times more powerful Nuclear Arsenals

5. The Sputnik Crisis October, 1957: Soviets launch first satellite to orbit the earth. U.S. government responds by creating NASA – coordinated agency for space exploration & rocket science. Also passed the National Defense Education Act which provided funds for education & training in science, math, and foreign languages.

6. Eisenhower’s Policies,1952 - 1961 Brinkmanship= the willingness to go to the brink of war to force the other side to back down. “You have to take chances for peace, just as you must take chances in war. The ability to get to the verge without getting into the war is the necessary art. If you are scared to go to the brink, you are lost.” John F. Dulles, U.S. Secretary of State under Pres. Eisenhower

7. Taiwan Crisis of 1954 July, 1953: The Korean War ends under the U.S. threat to continue the war “under circumstances of our own choosing”. Fall, 1954: China attacks Taiwan & surrounding islands. U.S. sees Taiwan as part of the “anticommunist barrier”. Eisenhower hints at use of nuclear weapons to stop an invasion. China backs down.

8. Suez Crisis of 1955 Egyptian troops seize control of Suez Canal from the Anglo-French company in control. British & French forces invade Egypt. Soviets threaten rocket attacks on Britain & France & offer troops to Egypt. U.S. nuclear forces go on alert. British & French troops withdraw.

9. Eisenhower’s Policies,1952 - 1961 To prevent communist uprisings in developing nations, Eisenhower uses covert operations conducted by the CIA. 1953: CIA organizes riots & arranges coup to oust Iranian Prime Minister who intended to make an oil deal with the Soviet Union. The Shah of Iran returns to power.

10. Eisenhower’s Policies,1952 - 1961 To prevent communist uprisings in developing nations, Eisenhower uses covert operations conducted by the CIA. 1953: CIA organizes riots & arranges coup to oust Iranian Prime Minister who intended to make an oil deal with the Soviet Union. The Shah of Iran returns to power. 1954: In order to protect American-owned property in Guatemala, opposition forces, armed & trained by the CIA, overthrow the communist supported government and military.

11. A Changing Soviet Union 1956: Soviet leader, Nikita Khrushchev, makes his “secret speech” –denounces Stalin’s “cult of personality” and elevates more Leninist principles. “We must restore completely the Leninist principles of Soviet socialist democracy ….and to fight the willfulness of individuals abusing their power.”

12. Hungarian Uprising of 1956 Citizens of Hungry interpret speech as a step towards greater freedom and riots break out in Budapest.

13. Hungarian Uprising of 1956 Citizens of Hungry interpret speech as a step towards greater freedom and riots break out in Budapest. Khrushchev never implied Soviets would tolerate end to Communism & send in tanks to crush the rebellion. Approx. 200,000 Hungarians fled Hungary. 26,000 put on trial – 13,000 imprisoned.

14. Eisenhower’s Policies,1952 - 1961 1957: Khrushchev boasts, “We will bury capitalism…Your grandchildren will live under communism.” 1958: Khrushchev demands full withdrawal of allied troops from West Berlin. U.S. rejects demand & threatens force. Soviet Union backs down. 1959: Khrushchev visits the U.S. and agrees to a summit the following year.

15. U-2 Spy Plane Incident 1960: Shortly before the summit, Soviets shoot down American U-2 spy plane. U.S. deny espionage charge but Soviets produce the pilot, Francis Gary Powers.

16. U-2 Spy Plane Incident 1960: Shortly before the summit, Soviets shoot down American U-2 spy plane. U.S. deny espionage charge but Soviets produce the pilot, Francis Gary Powers. Soviets call off the Summit. Powers is convicted of espionage and serves approx. 2 years of a 10 year sentence in a Russian prison. He is later exchanged for a captured Russian spy.

17. Eisenhower’s Farewell Address,January, 1961 “I lay down my official responsibility with a definite sense of disappointment…I wish I could say that a lasting peace is in sight…. we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military- industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. ”

18. Do you think Eisenhower’s foreign policy was successful? Why or why not?