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Eisenhower's Domestic Policies. - Coggle Diagram
Eisenhower's Domestic Policies.
Education.
Educational progress was made.
Eisenhower’s legislation was revolutionary as it introduced the idea of direct federal aid to education.
American schools were suffering under shortage of staff and buildings. In 1955 Eisenhower proposed a legislation to help finance school construction. - this was declined by Congress. However, the success of Sputnik put pressure on America to ‘outdo’ the USSR.
1958 National Defence Education Act.
Low cost loans to college students.
Federal funds to improve maths, science, and foreign languages
Congress originally declined Eisenhower’s legislations it would have aided the segregated South. Highlights how America was still regional and social divides. (between south and north USA)
Housing.
Progress in solving huge housing issues.
Prosperity for those who were able to live in suburban areas.
There were housing shortages throughout Truman’s presidency therefore, Ike was forced to face this problem. 11 million more housing was constructed in the suburbs. Construction boom provided employment and for many proposed the idea of fulfilling the American Dream.
13 million homes were demanded therefore, 3 million homes were not built.
These homes were built in suburban areas and helped to cause ‘white flight’.
Money should have been spent on cites housing as there was crowded accommodations and growing ghettos.
Levittown homes – two and half times more than the average family income.
Age of Affluence.
American benefitted from: cheap oil that profited transport and industry; the population grew from 171 million in 1950 to 180 million in 1960, this caused a baby boom whereby, it encouraged the purchases of homes, labour saving electrical goods and domestic products. American became an archetypal consumer society.
The middle class were living a time of prosperity and thanks to the GI Bill there was $20 billion being pumped into the economy.
1940 Census vs. 1950 Census:
20% more homeowners.
16% more indoor flushing toilets.
24% more homes with running water.
19% more homes with either a bath or shower.
Those who could not afford escape the cities lived in offend slum like living conditions. Eisenhower was unable to deal with the massive inequality in wealth and the prosperity he was blessed with was essentially half hearted.
‘White flight’
Two recessions.
However, some historians argued that Eisenhower only continued the economic success of the previous president therefore, he inherited prosperity from Truman.
At least 25% of the population was considered poor.
Technology.
Progress in technology. This progress lead to prosperity. (employment)
Mamie to husband Eisenhower – ‘That is one crowd that is prospering’ (Wives of the Association of Automobile Dealers). Technological advances in transport. In 1955 alone 7.9 million cars were manufactured. This became a symbol affluence. This also created the new on road culture: cheap accommodation and fast food. Technological advances in Science was demonstrated by the setting up of NASA in 1958.
Budget/economy.
Ensuring America’s economy stayed positive by balancing the budget.
Eisenhower did take his own steps for maintaining the vitality of the U.S. economy while still building sufficient strength to prosecute the Cold War. He did this through the ‘New Look’. During the last thirty months of Truman’s presidency defence spending rose by 300%. Due to Eisenhower transiting much of the USA army to relay on nuclear weapons rather than manpower
This helped to ensure that America’s economy stayed booming and reduce influence and debt when the federal government needed to spend money ie: interstate highway.
Although on the whole Ike was effective in maintain vitality he did however, face two recessions. Nevertheless, some people argue this is natural after such a large boom in the economy.
Interstate highway.
Progressive as it helped to create a connected America. America became more united under Ike than any other previous president. This enabled an easy flow of trade and migration to take place within the country. Prosperity as it provides thousands of jobs to boost the economy was
Number of cars on the roads were increasing thus, a demand for more better roads. Because of Eisenhower’s balancing of the budge the federal government could build the expensive highway project without going to debit and causing inflation
Civil rights.
Eisenhower was the first president since 1875 to introduce civil rights legation.
In a speech in 1957, he expressed ‘shock’ that out of the 900,000-black people in Mississippi only 7,000 could vote. Thus, he introduced the Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1960.
However, some people argued that he could have done more.
Historian Fred Greenstein described Ike’s progress as ‘evolutionary change and not revolutionary change’.
Old Guard.
Ike experienced an anti-prosperity divide within the Republican Party between conservatives and moderates. Eisenhower was moderate and believed in ‘Conservative when it comes to money, liberal when it comes to people’. The right winged Old Guard disliked Eisenhower’s views and actions he was taking. For example: Ike didn’t want tax cuts, the old guard were upset that Ike did not mantle the New Deal, etc. Nevertheless, Ike was a liked president and Lyndon Johnston stated that ‘whoever was supporting him would be on the popular side’.