Eisenhower Domestic Policies Flashcards
What years was Eisenhower president?
1953-61
Why was Eisenhower accused of representing big business?
His cabinet was full of millionaires and big businessmen
How successful was Eisenhower in dealing with Congress?
Had a lot of success despite a mainly democratic Congress due to his little interference in legislation in comparison to Truman
What did Eisenhower do about the role of the Federal Government?
Decreased their role but continued most of the New Deal/Fair Deal policies
How many Mexicans were deported as part of Operation Wetback?
1.4 million
What programme did Eisenhower strengthen?
Social Security Programme
How many miles of road were imposed as part of the Interstate Highway System?
41,000 miles of road
What space organisation was set up under Eisenhower?
NASA
What did Eisenhower do in terms of minimum wage?
Raised it
What was Eisenhower’s Republicanism?
He referred to his beliefs as “dynamic conservatism.” He was a moderate who wanted to balance the budget and lower taxes while accepting that businesses needed to be regulated and welfare was now a part of the American system.
How did Gross Domestic Product grow from 1950-1960?
1950- $355 billion
1960- $488 billion
What did per capita income rise to from 1940 to 1960?
1940- $1,720
1960- $2,699
Investment in plant and equipment rose by how much a year in the 1950’s?
$10 billion
What % of the country lived below the poverty line?
22%
Why was there a recession in 1953?
Eisenhower cut down on military spending causing 3.7million people to be unemployed
Why was there a recession in 1957-8?
Cuts in government spending
How many people became unemployed as part of the 1957-8 recession and by what % did production decrease?
5 million were unemployed
Production dropped by 14%
How much did Eisenhower spend on a polio vaccination programme?
$30 million
What % of the popular vote did Eisenhower win in the 1956 election and why was this?
57% of the popular vote due to his support for the Brown v Board of Education decision so he won nearly 40% of black voters
How successful was Eisenhower?
He was highly successful because he managed to pass legislation as a result of his popularity and, while his reforms weren’t the most radical, he was not trying to be.
