'Dynamic Conservatism' + Political Divisions

Question 1

What is Dynamic Conservatism to Eisenhower?

Answer 1

‘Conservative when it comes to money, Liberal when it comes to people.’

Question 2

Why was Eisenhower horrified at the defence expenditure?

Answer 2

It had rocketed by 300% in Truman’s final 30 months

Question 3

What were Eisenhower’s three beliefs on the economy and defence expenditure?

Answer 3

Felt it necessary to control defence expenditure to balance the budget and avoid a deficit
Believed there was no security without a sound economy
Knew that excessive defence expenditure could be better used on social improvements

Question 4

Why were both Republicans and Democrats upset with Eisenhower’s defence cuts?

Answer 4

They accused Eisenhower of leaving the United States defensively vulnerable to the Soviets - this critique worsened once the Soviets took the lead in the Space Race

Question 5

What did Eisenhower label the group that primarily pressured him on defence? What was the outcome of this pressure?

Answer 5

The ‘military-industrial complex’
This pressure meant Eisenhower spent far more on defence than he considered necessary - yet many Americans considered it wasn’t enough

Question 6

What 4 things did Eisenhower manage to pass legislation for through the Republican congress?

Answer 6

Increased Social Security benefits and added 10 million to its coverage (1954)
Raised the minimum wage from 75 cents to $1 per hour (1955)
Gave federal aid to education
Established the interstate highway system

Question 7

When and what was National Defence Education Act?

Answer 7

1958
It gave low-cost loans to college students + federal funds to the states to improve science, maths and foreign language courses

Question 8

Which education legislation passed by Truman did Eisenhower continue?

Answer 8

National School Lunch Act (1946)

Question 9

What was a critique of Eisenhower’s dynamic conservatism in terms of education?

Answer 9

He would ‘strongly recommend the building of a great many schools, but not provide the money.’

Question 10

What were the consequences of Eisenhower’s reluctance to overspend?

Answer 10

Little inflation and little unemployment
Several recessions

Question 11

What is an example of the unsympathetic conservative Republicanism towards the unemployed?

Answer 11

Secretary of Defence - Charles Wilson - simply said the unemployed car workers in Detroit should look for work instead of waiting for handouts

Question 12

Why did Eisenhower revolutionise American roads through the Interstate Highway System? (3 examples)

Answer 12

He had noticed how the roads were of poor quality for military transportation (1919)
The number of cars were increasing - more roads needed
Economy faced trouble after Korean War (1953) - would create employment and help economic growth

Question 13

What did Eisenhower established in 1953? Who headed this department?

Answer 13

The Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW)
Oveta Culp Hobby (2nd woman to hold a cabinet post)

Question 14

What did the HEW oversee in 1955? Why was this important?

Answer 14

They oversaw the distribution of the new polio vaccine
The polio epidemic of 1952 left over 57,000 with contracted Polio - needed to tackle

Question 15

When and what was the Agricultural Act?

Answer 15

1956
It added 500,000 acres to the national park system along with visitor centres and other amenities to benefit health

Question 16

What was the Republican party divided into?

Answer 16

It was divided between conservatives and moderates

Question 17

What sides of the party was Eisenhower on? What group opposed his side?

Answer 17

Eisenhower was more to the left of the Republicans whereas the right of the party were the more conservative Old Guard led by Robert A. Taft (1953) then William Knowland (1954 onwards)

Question 18

What was Eisenhower’s view of Knowland?

Answer 18

Eisenhower wrote in his diary - ‘ There seems to be no final answer to the question, ‘‘How stupid can you get?’’ ‘ (in regards to Knowland)

Question 19

What did Eisenhower wish he could do in terms of the Republican Party? Why was this?

Answer 19

He frequently wished he could leave + set up his own ‘‘intelligent group of independents’
He feared for the future of the party - ‘The Republican Party must be known as a progressive party or it is sunk.’ (diary entry)

Question 20

Why did the Republican Party suffer their worst mid-term defeat since the Depression in 1958? (4 examples)

Answer 20

There was an economic recession
Republican candidates seemed unimpressive
Eisenhower seemed old + tired
The Democrats waged an aggressive campaign - ‘six years of leaderless vacillation!’