1. The Politics of Moderation 1951-1960
The Election of 1952 and Richard
Nixon
The “Dynamic Conservatism” of Eisenhower
1956 Election
Ike and “the Bomb”
The Limits of Power- The C.I.A.
The Struggle for Black Equality
Sputnik and the Quest for National Purpose
JFK and the 1960 Presidential Election

2. The Election of 1952

3. Election of 1952
Democrats were under attack- Dislike of New Deal programs- expansion of Federal Government and regulations on business, “Softness” on communism , “loss” of China, Alger Hiss Case, Handling of war in Korea, Dismissal of MacArthur, mounting unpopularity of Truman, cases of corruption by notable democratic politicians
Republicans were divided- support conservative/ isolationist Robert Taft or moderate Dwight D. Eisenhower
Strong point for Republicans- They have not controlled the presidency for 20 years

4. Elections of 1952 and 1956
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Adlai Stevenson

6. Election of 1952
Adlai Stevenson- A Princeton-educated lawyer who had served as special assistant to the Secretary of the Navy during World War II, an influential member of the U.S. delegation to the United Nations after the war, and a successful governor with an enviable record of reform- Democrat
Dwight D. Eisenhower- Career Army Officer- Supreme Allied Commander Europe, President of Columbia University, Supreme Commander of NATO- Republican
Stevenson- notable liberal thinker and Anti-communist- promotion of New Deal programs (in speeches, his intellectualism went over the heads of voters)
Ike- Moderate political views, believed in consensus-building, decreasing gov’t spending, easing back restrictions on business
Eisenhower inspired confidence with his plain talk, reassuring smiles, and heroic image. Stevenson alienated voters with his sophisticated language and attention to detail

7. Election of 1952: The “checkers” Speech
1952 “Checkers” speech, He was one of the first politicians to use T.V. to defend himself against accusations of wrong-doing.
the New York Post headline "Secret Rich Men's Trust Fund Keeps Nixon in Style Far Beyond His Salary" claiming that campaign donors were buying influence with Nixon by keeping a secret fund stocked with cash for his personal expenses (some $140,000 in today's dollars).
Outrage followed, and many Republicans urged Eisenhower to take Nixon off the ticket.
Nixon referred to a dog his family had been given. Black and white spotted, Checkers. “And you know, the kids, like all kids, love the dog and I just want to say this right now, that regardless of what they say about it, we’re gonna keep it.”
At the election six weeks later, the Republican Eisenhower-Nixon ticket defeated the Democratic ticket of Adlai Stevenson II and John Sparkman. Nixon became vice-president on January 20, 1953.

8. “Dynamic Conservatism”
Ike’s political philosophy- Conservative when it comes to money and liberal when it comes to human beings
Had to manage rising expectations and traditional values
Concerned office of presidency had grown too strong –
disrupting constitutional balance between the branches
Ambitions:
a. Control gov’t spending and balance the budget
b. Tame special interests
c. Restrain excess and force cooperation between the parties
d. Promote domestic harmony and economic stability
e. Restrain from using the power of the office of the president only
when the situation requires it

9. Dynamic Conservatism- First term in office
Forged Armistice to the Korean War
Trimmed federal spending by 10%- $6 billion
Downsized Military
Federal Highway Act
Slowly enforced Supreme Court decision to desegregate schools
Moved slowly on Civil Rights issues- He said that integration required “a change in people's hearts and minds”
Strengthened New Deal economic programs and signed legislation that expanded Social Security, increased the minimum wage, and created the Department of Health, Education and Welfare.
Submerged Lands Act- $40 billion of oil land to states’ control