Topic 10

The Eisenhower Era, 1953-1961

A. Introduction and summary: Eisenhower elected in 1952 and easily reelected for a second term in 1956, again defeating the same Democratic candidate, Adlai Stevenson.

B. Foreign Affairs: Korea

1. First order of business was to conclude the Korean War.

– Went to Korea in December 1952 and spent three days touring the battle front. Shortly after Eisenhower took office, the Chinese proposed that peace talks be reopened. (Talks had been carried on during latter part of Truman’s presidency but had produced nothing and had been broken off.)

– Why? Great losses that the Chinese had suffered. Also, Stalin had died in March 1953 and new leaders of the Soviet Union were interested at that time in reducing Cold War tensions. Possibly placed pressure on the Chinese to reopen talks.

– July 27, 1953 an agreement was signed that divided the two Koreas along a border close to the original 38^th parallel border with a demilitarized zone 5 miles wide separating the two.

– Frustrating for Americans, since we did not fight for total victory, but it was still a victory. Our original goal was to preserve the independence of South Korea, and that we accomplished.

C. Foreign Affairs: Europe

1. Had promised bold new policies that would go beyond containment and lead to the liberation of the people of Eastern Europe. Eisenhower asked his staff to look into what might be done, but they could come up with no proposals that would not trigger World War III.

2. So, all that was done was to broadcast anti-Soviet propaganda through Radio Free Europe and the Voice of America, both run by the U.S. government.

The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 – The emptiness of the call for liberation was made clear with the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Hungarians staged a revolution against communist rule and by radio pleaded for help from the West. We did nothing, despite their pleas for help. Said Eisenhower: “Poor fellows, poor fellows. I think about them all the time. I wish there was some way of helping them.” Helping them would probably mean World War III. So, the Republicans talked tough, but Eisenhower knew the risks involved and the limits of American power. So, the Republicans continued Truman’s policy of containment, though they had called it “cowardly” in the campaign of 1952.

D. Foreign Affairs: Asia, again – Indochina /Vietnam

1. Summary of Facts:

– Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia were part of the French empire in Asia, and the French were determined to reestablish their control after the defeat of Japan.

– In Vietnam, communist/nationalist forces led by Ho Chi Minh were determined to secure the independence of Vietnam. When France refused, war broke out in 1946 between the French and the followers of Ho Chi Minh.

– Under Truman, the U.S. began aiding the French war effort and this support continued under Eisenhower. By the time Eisenhower took office, the U.S. was paying about ¾ of the cost of the war in Vietnam.

2. Eisenhower’s response:

– Eisenhower expressed the fear (in one of his early press conferences) that if this area fell to the communists, other areas of Asia would soon fall as well, like dominoes. Hence, the domino theory became a part of American policy in Asia.

– The French suffered continuous defeats, and in 1954 the Geneva Accords signed.

• Laos and Cambodia were to be neutral countries.

• Vietnam to be divided “temporarily” along the 17^th parallel.

• North controlled by Ho Chi Minh, the south by Emperor Bao Dai and Premier Ngo Dinh Diem.

• Unification elections to be held in 1956.

3. The Eisenhower administration decided we must have a democratic, pro-western government in South Vietnam and threw its support behind Diem. Gave his government about $1billion in aid in the late 1950s.

– Diem, with support of the administration refused to cooperate in holding the unification elections in 1956.

– Ho Chi Minh’s followers renewed their fight to unify Vietnam, and this was the situation JFK inherited when he became president.

E. Foreign Affairs: Cuba