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The Eisenhower Legacy: From Kennedy to Reagan

Everett Bell

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President Dwight D. Eisenhower's presidency (1953-1961) was a watershed moment in American history. Coming to power after the tumultuous years of the Korean War and the McCarthy era, Eisenhower promised a "new era of peace and prosperity." He delivered on his promise, presiding over a period of economic growth and relative tranquility. But Eisenhower's legacy extended far beyond his presidency. His policies and ideas had a profound impact on American politics for decades to come, shaping the Kennedy administration, the Reagan era, and beyond.

Managing The Presidency: The Eisenhower Legacy--from Kennedy To Reagan

by Phillip G. Henderson

4.6 out of 5

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The Military-Industrial Complex

One of Eisenhower's most important legacies was his warning about the dangers of the "military-industrial complex." In his farewell address in 1961, Eisenhower cautioned that the close relationship between the military and the defense industry could lead to a situation where "the potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist."

Eisenhower's warning was prescient. In the years since his presidency, the military-industrial complex has grown into a behemoth, with defense contractors wielding enormous influence over government policy. This has led to a situation where the United States spends more on its military than any other country in the world, often at the expense of other important priorities such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

The Space Race

Another important aspect of Eisenhower's legacy was his role in the space race. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth. This event shocked Americans and led to a renewed focus on science and technology. Eisenhower responded by creating the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and launching the United States into the space race.

The space race was a major Cold War competition between the United States and the Soviet Union. Eisenhower saw it as a way to demonstrate American technological superiority and to boost national pride. In 1969, the United States achieved its goal of landing a man on the moon, a major victory for Eisenhower's legacy.

Civil Rights

Eisenhower's presidency also saw significant progress on civil rights. In 1954, the Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. Eisenhower supported the ruling and sent federal troops to Little Rock, Arkansas, to enforce it. Eisenhower also signed the Civil Rights Act of 1957, which created the Civil Rights Commission and gave the federal government more power to enforce civil rights laws.

Eisenhower's support for civil rights was a major departure from the policies of his predecessors. It paved the way for the more aggressive civil rights policies of the Kennedy and Johnson administrations.

The Kennedy Administration

President John F. Kennedy was a great admirer of Eisenhower. Kennedy often sought Eisenhower's advice and counsel, and he modeled his own presidency on Eisenhower's. Kennedy continued Eisenhower's policies on the military-industrial complex, the space race, and civil rights.

Kennedy also expanded on Eisenhower's legacy in other areas. He launched the Peace Corps, a volunteer program that sends young Americans to work in developing countries. He also created the Department of Housing and Urban Development to address the problems of urban poverty and blight.

The Reagan Era

President Ronald Reagan was another admirer of Eisenhower. Reagan often invoked Eisenhower's legacy in his own speeches and policies. Reagan continued Eisenhower's policies on the military-industrial complex, the space race, and civil rights. He also expanded on Eisenhower's legacy in other areas, such as tax cuts and deregulation.

Reagan's presidency marked a return to the conservatism of the Eisenhower era. Reagan believed that the government should play a limited role in the economy and that the private sector was the best engine for growth. Reagan's policies led to a period of economic growth and prosperity, but they also exacerbated the problems of income inequality and poverty.

Eisenhower's Legacy

Eisenhower's legacy is a complex and multifaceted one. He was a conservative president who presided over a period of economic growth and relative tranquility. But he also left a lasting legacy on American politics, shaping the policies of the Kennedy, Reagan, and other administrations.

Eisenhower's legacy is still relevant today. His warning about the dangers of the military-industrial complex is as important as ever. His support for civil rights paved the way for the modern civil rights movement. And his policies on the space race and the economy continue to be debated and discussed.

Eisenhower was a great president who left a lasting legacy on American politics. His policies and ideas continue to shape the United States today.

Managing The Presidency: The Eisenhower Legacy--from Kennedy To Reagan

by Phillip G. Henderson

4.6 out of 5