Eisenhower and the Cold War
Dwight D. Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States. Eisenhower knew that The Cold War was a war of economics as well as military strength. Since Eisenhower had led the allied invasion in Europe and had served in the military his entire career, he knew the costs involved for fighting a war.
Eisenhower said, "We cannot defend the nation in a way which will exhaust our economy." Since there had not been any actual fighting between the USSR and the U.S. it was imperative to keep the economy strong.
In order to do this Eisenhower declared that the nation, "must be prepared to use atomic weapons in all forms." With the use of atomic weapons the number of soldiers could be downsized helping save a lot of money in maintaining an army. After all "Nuclear weapons", Eisenhower said, gave "more bang for the buck."
Eisenhower said, "We cannot defend the nation in a way which will exhaust our economy." Since there had not been any actual fighting between the USSR and the U.S. it was imperative to keep the economy strong.
In order to do this Eisenhower declared that the nation, "must be prepared to use atomic weapons in all forms." With the use of atomic weapons the number of soldiers could be downsized helping save a lot of money in maintaining an army. After all "Nuclear weapons", Eisenhower said, gave "more bang for the buck."
Massive Retaliation |
In response to Eisenhower's idea to use more nuclear weapons instead of soldiers, he cut military spending from $50 billion to $34 billion. While saving money he also increased the nuclear power of America. The US went from about 1,000 bombs in 1953 to approximately 18,000 bombs in just 8 years. Eisenhower also allowed technology to increase and help improve the effectiveness of delivering nuclear bombs if the need should arise. He began a program to build submarines which could launch 16 nuclear missiles. An enormous bomber was also created, the B-52, which could fly long range missions across continents to deliver its load. ICBMs (Intercontinental ballistic missiles) were missiles that could travel anywhere in the world in less than 30 minutes. |
Brinkmanship |
Eisenhower used his policy of brinkmanship to help win his campaign for president. During his presidency(1953-1959) Eisenhower was highly against communism; he told the United States public that he would use brinkmanship to control the spread of it.
Brinkmanship-the practice, especially in international politics, of seeking advantage by creating the impression that one is willing and able to push a highly dangerous situation to the limit rather than concede. It was first used by Secretary of State John Foster Dulles under President Dwight D. Eisenhower throughout his presidency. During the Cold War, the threats of brinkmanship and nuclear war was such a concern that, both the U.S. and the Soviet Union backed down. Below is quote from Secretary of State John Foster Dulles describing Brinkmanship. "You have to take chances for peace, just as you must take chances in war…. If you are scared to go to the brink, you are lost.” It was said that if the United Sates and the Soviet Union went into a nuclear war it would have been "suicide" for both sides and there would and have been heavy consequences for the world. |
Eisenhower and the CIA
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During the Cold War having information on the enemy was absolutely essential if Eisenhower was going to be able to threaten war and use brinkmanship effectively.
Eisenhower used the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) to conduct covert missions in developing nations to prevent communist uprisings. Again, communism is an economic system and in developing nations the economy was vital. These missions would sometimes include overthrowing an anti-American leader and putting in new leaders with pro-American sentiments. CIA tactics were sometimes unsavory, as they included bribes, subversion, and even assassination attempts. But Eisenhower authorized those actions, even as he maintained plausible deniability, that is, carefully concealing all evidence of U.S. involvement so that he could deny any responsibility for what happened.
Eisenhower used the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) to conduct covert missions in developing nations to prevent communist uprisings. Again, communism is an economic system and in developing nations the economy was vital. These missions would sometimes include overthrowing an anti-American leader and putting in new leaders with pro-American sentiments. CIA tactics were sometimes unsavory, as they included bribes, subversion, and even assassination attempts. But Eisenhower authorized those actions, even as he maintained plausible deniability, that is, carefully concealing all evidence of U.S. involvement so that he could deny any responsibility for what happened.
Military-Industrial Complex
At the end of Eisenhower's term as president he gave a speech to the American people. In the address, he pointed out that a new relationship had developed between the military establishment and the defense industry. He warned Americans to be on guard against the influence of this military-industrial complex in a democracy.
Below is a except from Eisenhower's speech detailing his perspective on the military-industrial complex: "This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence -- economic, political, even spiritual -- is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society." |