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Explore the significant events and policies of the Eisenhower Era from 1952-1960, including the McCarthy Hearings, Eisenhower Republicanism, the Cold War waning, civil rights confrontations, the Space Race, and foreign policy challenges.
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The Eisenhower Era 1952-1960
The Eisenhower Era • Ike projected an image of a "non-political" president. • Immensely popular grandfather figure.
McCarthy Hearings • McCarthy begins hearings into the existence of Communists in the Army. • George Marshall is denounced.
Eisenhower allows McCarthy to dictate State Department personnel policy and does not condemn him.
McCarthy is later censured by the Senate -- many Asia experts will be fired as communist sympathizers.
Eisenhower Republicanism • Eisenhower pledges a philosophy of “Dynamic Conservatism”
He halted the growth of the TVA and condemned free polio vaccines as “socialized medicine.”
Many New Deal programs were actually extended -- such as Social Security.
Eisenhower also called for the creation of the Interstate highway system which led to increased suburbanization.
only 3 of his eight years will see balanced budgets and he will incur the largest peacetime budget deficit until the Reagan administration. OBAMA ? GW BUSH
Economic troubles will lead to the Democrats regaining Congress in 1954 and • The CIO merging with the AFL to form the AFL-CIO.
The Cold War Wanes • Armistice in Korea - cease-fire declared at Panmunjom - short of victory.
Stalin dies in March, 1953 - Khrushchev gains power in USSR, denounces Stalin and seeks peaceful coexistence.
Brinkmanship • Sec. of State John Foster Dulles vows to "roll back" Communism • follows policy of brinkmanship - vows massive retaliation.
“New Look” defense. • Called for more use of airforce and nuclear weapons • “more bang for the buck” - it would deter the spread of communism
Eisenhower stands firm • 1954 - French lose Battle of Dien Bien Phu in Vietnam to communists under Ho Chi Minh
Geneva Conference divides country at 17th parallel - elections fall through and US backs Ngo Dinh Diem in the south - US forms SEATO treaty.
New Crises add to tensions • Hungarian Revolt (1956)- demonstration in Hungary leads to open revolt - Soviets invade and crush rebellion. • American lack of reaction points out the problems with the “New Look”
Crisis in the Middle East • Suez Crisis (1956) - Israel, France and Britain invade Egypt to take back canal - US intervenes fearing US - Soviet conflict.
1957 - Congress agrees to Eisenhower Doctrine - US will send troops to Middle East to halt communist aggression. • 1958 - US sends troops to Lebanon to keep peace in Civil War.
Civil Rights • Congress and president refused to move on civil rights - Earl Warren’s court took initiative.
1954 - Brown v Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas reversed the “separate but equal” doctrine of Plessy v Ferguson • segregated schools are “inherently unequal”
Southern schools refused to desegregate - put up “massive resistance” • Eisenhower did not endorse the decision.
Civil Rights Confrontations • Dec. 1955 - Rosa Parks refuses to move to back of bus in Montgomery, AL .
Rosa Parks “Thank you Sister Rosa. You are the spark that started our freedom movement. Thank you sister Rosa Parks.” -Neville Bros.
Sept. 1957 - Gov. Orval Faubus mobilized the Arkansas National Guard to stop 9 black children from attending Central High in Little Rock, Arkansas. • Eisenhower sent troops to escort the children.
1957 Civil Rights Act - set up a Civil Rights Commission to investigate civil rights violations.
The Space Race • Oct. 1957 - Soviets launch Sputnik satellite - Eisenhower declares the little basketball should not cause “one iota” of concern.
It does!! • the “Space Race” begins
Race to beat the Russians • First American attempts to launch missiles end in disaster -- “Kaputniks”
National Defense and Education Act -- loans to students and spending on science education.
Foreign Policy • Berlin Crisis 1958 - Soviets give 6 month deadline for western powers to leave Berlin. • Eisenhower refuses to budge and Khrushchev backs down.
Dulles says “we looked Russia right in the eye and they blinked”
Goodwill Diplomacy • Eisenhower goes on “Goodwill Tour” of Europe, India and later Latin America. • Khrushchev comes to America - meets Ike at Camp David.
Paris Summit • Paris “Summit Conference” called for May 1960 • American U2 spy plane shot down over Russia on the eve of Paris Summit. What’s so funny?
Nixon goes to USSR • Nixon has his “Kitchen Debate” with Khrushchev in `59. • The “New” Nixon emerges as a world statesman.
More Trouble in Latin America • CIA led a coup that overthrew a leftist government in Guatemala in 1954.
Nixon goes on a goodwill tour of Latin America - attacked by mobs.