1. The Eisenhower Years

3. Election of 1952 “I Like Ike”—Dwight D. Eisenhower runs for President
Richard Nixon as running mate
Democrats run Adlai Stevenson as candidate
Ike won with pledge to “Go to Korea”
55% pop. Vote and in electoral college

4. Domestic Policies
Modern Republicanism: balanced budget, maintained New Deal Programs, raised minimum wage, built public housing, increased Social Security, established Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.
Interstate Highway System
Highest standard of living in world
1956 election: greater margin than ‘52 election but Democrats gain control of Congress.

5. Eisenhower and the Cold War
Secretary of State: John Foster Dulles-aggressive policy, hardline toward Communism (“Brinkmanship”)
Massive retaliation
Constantly creating new and better weapons. Eisenhower refused to use nuclear weapons in various skirmishes that emerged during this period.

6. Decolonization
Between , dozens of colonies in Africa & Asia gained independence from former colonial powers (Britain, France, Netherlands)
Asia: India & Pakistan in 1947, Indonesia in 1949
Africa: Ghana in 1957, followed by many others
These countries lacked stable economic & political institutionsbecame pawns in the Cold War

8. Foreign Policy Covert Action v. direct use of troops
Less expensive and less objectionable
CIA supported coups in Iran (1953) and Guatemala (1954)
Supported assassinations of leaders such as Fidel Castro
Long-term damage in relations with Latin America and Iran

9. Cold War in Asia Korean Armistice in 1953 but still no peace treaty
Fall of IndochinaCambodia, Laos, and Vietnam
Division of Vietnam at 17th parallel, promise of free elections (never happen)
‘55-’61, US gives $1 billion in aid to S. Vietnam
Domino Theory
SEATO-Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (regional defense pact). Agreement to defend one another in an attack US, GB, France, Australia, NZ, Philippines, Thailand, & Pakistan.

10. The Middle East
Suez Crisis-July (1956) Britain, France, Israel and Egypt
Eisenhower Doctrine-1957, offered economic and military aid to any Middle Eastern country threatened by Communism.
OPEC & Oil (1960) Arab nations of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran join Venezuela and form Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

11. U.S. and Soviet Relations
Geneva “Spirit of Geneva”-first thaw in Cold War
Hungarian Revolt (Oct. 1956) Hungarians overthrow Moscow backed govt but defeated by Soviet tanks.
Sputnik (1957)-Two Soviet satellites launched in spacepush for greater math and Science education in US.
Second Berlin Crisis
U-2 Incident

12. Cuba and Eisenhower’s Legacy
Fidel Castro overthrows dictator in Cuba
Establishes a Communist regime
Ike authorizes the CIA to train anticommunist Cuban exiles to retake their islandBay of Pigs carried out under Kennedy
Legacy: Checks Soviet aggression, begins to relax tensions, suspends above-ground testing of nuclear weapons, warns against Military- Industrial Complex.

13. The Civil Rights Movement
Origins
1947: Jackie Robinson breaks color barrier in baseball
1948: Truman desegregates armed forces
But: society still segregated , poll taxes, literacy tests, and the grandfather clause are still in use.
Changing demographics:
Great migration and shift to democratic party
Changing Cold War attitudes
How can we claim freedom and liberty when not everyone in US gets it?

15. Major Events
Brown v. Board decision  separate is inherently unequal, desegregation of schools, Decision was unanimous. (1954)
Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955) Rosa Parks, MLK Jr. end of segregation on buses.
Federal Laws:
Civil Rights Act of 1957: created a permanent Civil Rights Commission
Civil Rights Act of 1960: Justice department given new powers to protect voting rights of black.

16. Non-Violence and MLK Jr.
Civil Disobedience and non-violent protest: sit-ins, boycotts, marches
Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)
Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)

17. Immigration Issues Bans on Asian immigration are lifted.
Puerto Ricans can enter country w/o restrictions
Mexicans can come under contract via Bracero program or would come illegally.
Operation Wetback
Discrimination and exploitation

18. Popular Culture Consumerism and Conformity Television
Rock n’ Roll and Teen Culture
Advertising
Women’s Roles Social Critics: Beatniks  predecessors of youth rebellion of the ‘60s.