Eisenhower Domestic Policy

Question 1

when was Ike’s presidency

Answer 1

1953-1961

Question 2

give 5 main events/ policies from Ike’s presidency

Answer 2

-success with opposing Congress
-decreased role of fed gov but continued New/Fair Deal policies
-Operation Wetback 1.4 mil Mexicans
-Interstate Highway Act 41,000 miles
-set up NASA

Question 3

what did Ike cut and what was the result

Answer 3

-cut defence spending
-caused recession

Question 4

who retained control of Congress through Ike’s presidency

Answer 4

-Democrats even tho ike was republican

Question 5

how did Ike maintain a good relationship with democratic congress unlike Truman

Answer 5

-little interference with legislation

Question 6

why did Ike’s relationship with democratic congress worsen after time

Answer 6

-New Democrats wanting more change/action were elected

Question 7

why was Ike’s politics significant/new

Answer 7

-first middle ground president who appealed to masses
-conservative with money liberal with people

Question 8

what policies did Ike continue

Answer 8

-republican economic policies eg reduce gov spending
-democratic new deal policies eg SSA, polio vaccines, National Defence Education Act 1958 and 1956 Highway Act

Question 9

how did Ike’s economic policies work

Answer 9

-GDP grew over $100 billion between 1950-60 due to WW2
-Ike’s policies caused two recessions in 1953 and 1957-8

Question 10

how many people lived under the poverty line in the 50s compared to the 20s

Answer 10

-22% compared to 60%

Question 11

what caused both of Ike’s recessions

Answer 11

-cutting gov spending

Question 12

what resulted from the 1953 recession

Answer 12

-3.7 mil unemployed
-democrats retained congress

Question 13

what resulted from the 1957-8 recession

Answer 13

-5 mil unemployed and production fell 14%
-damaged republican reputation again

Question 14

what were the 4 main parts to Ike’s social policy

Answer 14

-social security
-health
-education
-infrastructure

Question 15

how did Ike tackle social policy in regards to social security (3)

Answer 15

-created Dept of Health, Education and Welfare
-increased min wage 75c –>$1
-SSA extended to reach 10.5 mil more Americans

Question 16

how did Ike tackle social policy in regards to health (2)

Answer 16

-$30 mil polio vaccination programme
-tried to pass Kerr Mills Bill to provide elderly healthcare (failed)

Question 17

how did Ike tackle social policy in regards to education(2)

Answer 17

-1958 National Defence Education Act gave $887 million for teaching and student loans related to science

Question 18

how did Ike tackle social policy in regards to infrastructure(1)

Answer 18

-Interstate Highway Act built 41,000 miles of highway

Question 19

what was significant about the 1956 election

Answer 19

-as a result of Ike’s support of Brown v Topeka this is the last time republicans get majority black vote

Question 20

what were the two main things Ike did for civil rights

Answer 20

-1957 first Civil Rights legislation signed since reconstruction for fed protection of voting rights
-after Brown v Topeka Ike sent in fed troops to aid desegregation at Little Rock

Question 21

give 3 limitations of Ike’s civil rights work

Answer 21

-1957 voting rights legislation weakened and required a jury trial to determine if voting rights were denied
-SC handled Brown v Topeka, Ike only had to support to show gov support of SC decisions
-advocated for slow desegregation

Question 22

what was operation wetback and when was it

Answer 22

-1954 US ordered 1.4mil Mexicans to be deported, most left voluntarily
-shows anti-alien feelings in USA