Eisenhower Discussion Questions

1.Explain the pragmatic, political measures that Eisenhower used to manage the economy as well as the politics of consensus. (200-400 Words)

Eisenhower had a practical way of handling political affairs. He started off his presidential term by supporting the passage of two major transportation acts:the St. Lawrence Seaway Act of 1954 (which made a passageway for ships from the ocean into the Great Lakes), and the Highway Act of 1956 (which authorized the construction of national highways).Thesetransportation projectshelpedthe economy. Eisenhower was sensible about funding the projects, too: The users paid fees and tolls (836).

Eisenhower believed in the power of abalanced budget, and he refused to put large sums of money into the “fantastic programs” (841) that the Pentagon kept proposing to fight the arms race; he doubted that the arms race was a true crisis (846). He believed in saving the money for uses such as Social Security, unemployment insurance, the minimum wage, public housing and medical services(835-836). He said, “I am conservative when it comes to money and liberal when it comes to human beings” (835).

Toward the end of his second term—in September, 1959—Eisenhower took a diplomatic, conciliatory approach toward the Soviet Union by inviting Khrushchev to the United States (846). Even though he had been a 5-star general, Eisenhower believed in the practical benefit of peace. When he left office he warned that excessive military spending compromisesdemocracies (847).

There was great consensus during Eisenhower’s administration.The country was in consensus about religion, for one thing.During the Eisenhower era, “Under God” was added to the Pledge of Allegiance (832). After all, religion was antithetical to communism (827). Eisenhower stated that “Our government makes no sense unless it is founded on…faith….” (832).

During the Eisenhower administration,theG.I. Bill Housing benefits and automobile industrializationgave families the finances and mobility to buy houses in the suburbs (829). Immigrant parents were often left behind in the cities. The size of the middle class began to grow. Women in the suburban mainstream could spend their timesewing, baking, running shopping errands in their cars, or even working if they wanted (833). Few African Americans and Latinos could afford to live in the suburbs (831). The suburbs became homogenized in terms of language and cultural values (832). There was a majority of opinion that socioeconomic class distinction was acceptable and desirable, provided that economical social programs were kept in place for the poor.

Describe the culture of consumption during the Eisenhower administration: How do you think such large-scale, new found getting and spending culture influenced peoples’ feelings about America?

During the Eisenhower administration, the production, sale, and use of automobiles dramatically increased because there were new highways to use. Families could use the GI Bill to buy houses in the suburbs (829) and they could use their cars to get around the suburbs. At the same time, there was an increase in mass-production, automation, and big-business in general (837-839). There were more employment opportunities: women were able to go to work. When women went to work, there was more money to buy televisions, kitchen gadgets, bicycles, lawnmowers and other consumables (833). The Depression-like fear of not having food for everyone in the family was gone for the majority of Americans (828).

Since the acquisition of consumables can make life easier, I think that many suburbanites felt that a superhuman power had awarded them all they had ever dreamed of. Therefore, I think the culture of consumption strengthened their faith. With “God” as their leader, I also think that many of the mainstreamers felt self-righteous. Maybe they felt they could close their eyes to arguably inappropriate (and/or discriminatory) acts--in the name of God. One could say that discriminating against African American homebuyers was an example of a warped decision (830). Subordinating Guatamalan democratic intereststo U.S. (United Fruit Company) interests could be considered another example of inappropriate judgment.

Paradoxically, I think that the faith of impoverished and humiliated city dwellers was made stronger by the culture of consumption, too. With unemployment “in the hardest hit areas” reaching 40%”(831), urban residentsmay have hoped that a supernatural force would hear their prayers.

I also think that the younger generation was frustrated by the individuality that their parents sacrificed to conform to the culture of mass-media, mega-corporations, and mass-consumption.

Reference

Davidson, J.W., Gienapp, W.E., Heyrman, C.L., Lytle, M.H., and Stoff, M.B.(2005). Nation of Nations: A Concise Narrative of the American Republic(4th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill