Nixon as VP and Eisenhower’s Legacy

Question 1

What was Eisenhower’s legacy?

Answer 1

• Economic stability and middle-class prosperity.
• Strengthened the Cold War containment strategy but avoided major conflicts.
• Civil Rights progress was slow but laid the groundwork for later reforms.
• Expansion of infrastructure and government-supported science education.
• Warned against the ‘military-industrial complex’ in his Farewell Address (1961)—concerned about the growing influence of the defence industry on politics.

Question 2

What was Nixon’s nickname before becoming Ike’s running mate?

Answer 2

Tricky Dicky

Question 3

Why was Nixon almost dropped as VP?

Answer 3

• Accusations of pocketing $18,000 of political donations (appeared in TV and used the story of being gifted Checkers the dog)

Question 4

How can Nixon be seen as the first ‘modern VP’?

Answer 4

• Chaired cabinet and National Security Council when Ike was absent
• Travelled widely acting as a goodwill ambassador
• Faced real danger on a trip to Venezuela, leading to Ike launching ‘Operation Poor Richard’.

Question 5

What were Nixon’s political views as VP?

Answer 5

• Civil rights advocate, more than Eisenhower, displaying very liberal views at the time
• Nixon helped smooth relations between Ike and the old guard
• Nixon was more of a Republican than Eisenhower

Question 6

Did McCarthyism end under Eisenhower?

Answer 6

• Ike feared that directly confronting McCarthy could be damaging due to his popularity
• 1954- Army-McCarthy televised hearings, where McCarthy was investigating NJ army bases without evidence and Ike called him out
• The Senate censured him for abuse of members of Congressional Committees
• Became ‘McCarthywasm’