The Eisenhower Era
Jan 03, 2016
The Eisenhower Era
Lack of support for Truman; Dems nominated Stevenson
Republicans: Eisenhower/Nixon (anti-communist)
“Checkers Speech” Emotional television speech Campaign funding
Ike threatened to use nuclear weapons on North Korea
July 1952 – armistice signed ending the war
Korea remained divided at the 38th parallel
Anti Communist rhetoric Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Had largest affect on free speech Widely supported
Accused Sec. of State Acheson of employing 205 Communists Proved to be false
Attacked U.S. army Condemned by Senate for “conduct
unbecoming a member”
In place from 1876-1965Schools, public places and
transportation“Separate but Equal”
Gunnar Myrdal “All men are
created equal…”
Sweatt vs. Painter 1950 Ruled that separate back schools
Rosa Parks December 1955 Montgomery, AL Refused to give up seat Yearlong boycott of buses
Segregation in public schools was unequal and unconstitutional
Reversed Plessy V. Ferguson
“Declaration of Constitutional Principles” Southern resistance
to ruling
Gov. Faubus (AK) mobilized National Guard to prevent Little Rock 9 from entering Central High School
Eisenhower responded by sending troops to walk students in.
Balance the budget 1959 – largest
peacetime deficit Guard America
from socialism Wanted to end
reservation system and assimilate Native Americans
Support Interstate Highway act of 1956
Ended bracero program
Deported over 1 million Mexican Americans
Strategic Air Command (SAC) Creation of
superbombers Geneva summit
conference 1955 Peace talks rejected
by Nikita Khrushchev
Move to throw French out of VietnamHo Chi Minh, leader of Vietnam,
becoming CommunisticMay 1954: French garrison trapped
in Dienbienphu Fell to the nationalists