Presidential Styles 1945-1974

Question 1

Harry Truman (1945-53: Democrat)

Answer 1

-Not a charismatic or confident man (Lacked enegry and stumbled his words sometimes despite having a script)
-Easily overwhelmed
-Understood the importance of using the media as Roosevelt had done
-Detailed briefings regarding economic policy, brief with foreign policy
-Wanted to contain Communism
-Southern Democrat
-De-segregated the Armed Forces, integrating whites and blacks together

Question 2

Dwight Eisenhower (1953-61: Republican)

Answer 2

-Had extensive combat experience throughout WW2
-Maintained good presence in the media as a charismatic war hero and leader
-Organised, worked well with Congress
-Carried on the Truman Doctrine, rebranding it ‘Domino Theory’
-Continued to advance social welfare
-Considered “Republican in name only”

Question 3

John Kennedy (1961-63)

Answer 3

-Attractive young senator
-Image of new hope and optimism for American people
-Specialised in speeches and saw using television and working with the media as important to influence the American public
-Worked well with Congress however used his family connection and his persuasive skills to his advantage
-Wanted to progress Civil Rights
-Two notable foreign policy events :Bay of Pigs fiasco (botched assassination attempt of Fidel Castro in Cuba) and Cuban Missile Crisis (in which he was heavily responsible for preventing a Third World War
-Assassinated in November 1963

Question 4

Lyndon Johnson (1963-69: Democrat)

Answer 4

-Experienced in politics
-Believer in ‘Great Society’
-More progressive, culturally liberal stance on Civil Rights
-Able to get what he wanted through borderline bullying opposition to side with him on certain issues
-Intimidate people into passing civil rights legislation
-Incredibly organised and persuasive as a result
-Camera shyness harmed his image severely during the Vietnam War

Question 5

Richard Nixon (1969-74: Republican)

Answer 5

-Clever, capable but suspicious man before coming into the presidency
-Lacked charisma, oratory skill and was heavily distrustful of the media, coming across as awkward and insincere in front of the camera
-Played well for ‘silent majority’
-His escalation of the conflict in Vietnam, a declining economy and Watergate Scandal collapsed confidence in his presidency.
-He resigned from office in 1974