Eisenhower Domestic Policy Flashcards
when was Ike’s presidency
1953-1961
give 5 main events/ policies from Ike’s presidency
-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
what did Ike cut and what was the result
-cut defence spending
-caused recession
who retained control of Congress through Ike’s presidency
-Democrats even tho ike was republican
how did Ike maintain a good relationship with democratic congress unlike Truman
-little interference with legislation
why did Ike’s relationship with democratic congress worsen after time
-New Democrats wanting more change/action were elected
why was Ike’s politics significant/new
-first middle ground president who appealed to masses
-conservative with money liberal with people
what policies did Ike continue
-republican economic policies eg reduce gov spending
-democratic new deal policies eg SSA, polio vaccines, National Defence Education Act 1958 and 1956 Highway Act
how did Ike’s economic policies work
-GDP grew over $100 billion between 1950-60 due to WW2
-Ike’s policies caused two recessions in 1953 and 1957-8
how many people lived under the poverty line in the 50s compared to the 20s
-22% compared to 60%
what caused both of Ike’s recessions
-cutting gov spending
what resulted from the 1953 recession
-3.7 mil unemployed
-democrats retained congress
what resulted from the 1957-8 recession
-5 mil unemployed and production fell 14%
-damaged republican reputation again
what were the 4 main parts to Ike’s social policy
-social security
-health
-education
-infrastructure
how did Ike tackle social policy in regards to social security (3)
-created Dept of Health, Education and Welfare
-increased min wage 75c –>$1
-SSA extended to reach 10.5 mil more Americans
how did Ike tackle social policy in regards to health (2)
-$30 mil polio vaccination programme
-tried to pass Kerr Mills Bill to provide elderly healthcare (failed)
how did Ike tackle social policy in regards to education(2)
-1958 National Defence Education Act gave $887 million for teaching and student loans related to science
how did Ike tackle social policy in regards to infrastructure(1)
-Interstate Highway Act built 41,000 miles of highway
what was significant about the 1956 election
-as a result of Ike’s support of Brown v Topeka this is the last time republicans get majority black vote
what were the two main things Ike did for civil rights
-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
give 3 limitations of Ike’s civil rights work
-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
what was operation wetback and when was it
-1954 US ordered 1.4mil Mexicans to be deported, most left voluntarily
-shows anti-alien feelings in USA
