Chapter 41

The Eisenhower Era

1952-1960

Chapter Theme:  The Eisenhower years were characterized by prosperity and moderate conservatism at home and by the ups and downs of the Cold War abroad.

Chapter Summary

A.     IKE-  elected for a great smile and a grandfatherly image broadcast into millions of homes.

a.       America longing to get out of war-  hoped Eisenhower would get America out of the Korean and Cold War.  Ended the Korean war after 7 months with the threat of the Atomic bomb.  Leaving the Korean War where it started.

b.      McCarthy-  Eisenhower left him alone, but McCarthy ran out of steam due to the end of the Korean War and was embarrassed by the senate.

c.       Civil Rights-  at first Ike was slow to move but eventually sent troops to Little Rock to enforce court orders

d.      Domestic policies-  moderately conservative and left the New Deal in place

B.     Foreign Policy-  generally cautious-

a.       avoided- military involvement in Vietnam while aiding Diem—

b.      Suez Canal- France, Britain and Israel demanded resolution to the Sues canal crisis.

c.       Hungarian revolt-  refused to intervene and choose to relieve Cold War tensions.

d.      Cold War tensions-  did not lessen with Khrushchev

1.      Sputnik-

2.      Berlin crisis-

3.      U-2 incident-

4.      Castro’s Cuban revolution-