Eisenhower's Domestic Policy

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Dynamic Conservatism
Disapproved of the New Deal but political suicide to get rid of it.Desribed himself as a liberal Republican. Conservative when it comes to money, liberal when it comes to people
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By what % did Trumans defence expenditure increase by in his last 30 months?
300%
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Eisenhower's Conservatism over money
He felt it necessary to control defence exoenditure to balance the budget, no security without a sound economy, excessive expenditure on defence could be spent on social improvements
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Criticisms over defence cuts
Press critical after the Soviets took the lead in the arms race, Ike accused of leaving the US vulnerable. 'Military-industrial complex' pressed him to spend more on defence than he consdiered necessary but still far less than people wanted
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Liberal with the people-How many were added to Social Security benefits in 1954
Increased benefits and added 10million to its coverage
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Liberal with the people-minimum wage increase
75cents to $1 an hour
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Education
Said to be just important as defence. Acute shortage of schools and teachers. Unfairly criticised saying he would ';strongly recommend the building of a great many schools, but not provide more money'
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Why did congress rejected proposed legislation to help finance school construction in poorer states
It would have helped the segregated south
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National Defence Education Act 1958
Frightening by Sputnik. Gave federal funds to states to improve courses in science, maths and foreign languages- all subjects important for the Cold War struggle. Revolutionary as it gave federal funds
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Free Lunch programme
Continued what Truman had started for poorer children
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Why was there little inflation and unemployment but several recessions
Ike refused to overspend. Secretary of Defence Wilson showed unsympathetic conservatism by saying unemployed car workers in Detroit should go look for work not handouts
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Interstate Highways-what
Largest public works programme in US history. A massive project for an often criticised 'do nothing leader' that employed millions
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Interstate Highways-why
Saw good roads were needed for good defence on a 1919 military convoy, no. of cars increasing, economy in trouble after the end of the Korean war so this would create employment and economic growth, federal issue as they had a national overview
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St Lawrence Seaway
A great construction project, which opened the great lakes to ocean traffic
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New govt. Department- Health, Education and Welfare (HEW)
Headed by Democrat Hobby, the 2nd woman to hold a cabinet position (Roosevelt appointed the first). Oversaw the distribution of the new polio vaccine
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How many people had polio crippled in the 1952 epidemic?
57,000 including Roosevelt
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How much land did 1956 legislation add to the national park system, greatly benefiting health?
500,000 acres, along with visitor centres and other amenities
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In 1958, why did the Republicans suffer their worst defeat since the depression
Economic recession. Unimpressive republican candidates.Ike seemed old and tired, Democrats waged an aggressive campaign criticising weakend national defences and 'leaderless vacillation'. Republican party divisions seen in domestic and FP
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Domestic Policy support
Often gained more support from Democrats than his own party eg. over farming subsidies and extension of social security. Ike got on well with leading Democrats, especially LBJ who dominated the senate
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Domestic policies Ikr disagreed with conservative Republicans over?
Tax cuts (big one in 1954 but rejected demands for more as would damage a balanced budget), New Deal (Old Guard wanted it dismantled), investigating communists in the govt-Ike considered lax. McCarthy perhaps the greatest problem they faced
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

300%

Back

By what % did Trumans defence expenditure increase by in his last 30 months?

Card 3

Front

He felt it necessary to control defence exoenditure to balance the budget, no security without a sound economy, excessive expenditure on defence could be spent on social improvements

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Press critical after the Soviets took the lead in the arms race, Ike accused of leaving the US vulnerable. 'Military-industrial complex' pressed him to spend more on defence than he consdiered necessary but still far less than people wanted

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

Increased benefits and added 10million to its coverage

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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