The Eisenhower YearsThe Eisenhower Years

Cold War ContinuesCold War Continues

““We Like Ike”We Like Ike”

““Liberal on human issues, conservative on Liberal on human issues, conservative on economic issues”economic issues”

No government intrusion on ‘private’ mattersNo government intrusion on ‘private’ matters Important bills passed:Important bills passed:

Social Security Act (1954)Social Security Act (1954) Highway Act (1956)Highway Act (1956)

Raised defense budget from $13 to $40 billionRaised defense budget from $13 to $40 billion One of his final actions: sent 3,500 troops to One of his final actions: sent 3,500 troops to

bolster noncommunist southern portion of bolster noncommunist southern portion of VietnamVietnam

Cautious times…Cautious times… 1955 – W. Germany joins NATO1955 – W. Germany joins NATO

Soviets feel threatenedSoviets feel threatened Form Warsaw pact (satellite nations now a military alliance)Form Warsaw pact (satellite nations now a military alliance)

Geneva SummitGeneva Summit Eisenhower and Nikita KhrushchevEisenhower and Nikita Khrushchev ““Open skies proposal” - EisenhowerOpen skies proposal” - Eisenhower

Flights to monitor each other’s territory to reduce possibility Flights to monitor each other’s territory to reduce possibility of surprise nuclear attacksof surprise nuclear attacks

REJECTED BY SOVIETS!!!REJECTED BY SOVIETS!!!

U-2 IncidentU-2 Incident CIA still advises sending U-2 planes secretly to CIA still advises sending U-2 planes secretly to

take picturestake pictures 1960 – Eisenhower wants it stopped…upcoming 1960 – Eisenhower wants it stopped…upcoming

peace summit in Parispeace summit in Paris U-2 shot down!!!U-2 shot down!!! How? How?

Americans: Cover story…weather flight plane lostAmericans: Cover story…weather flight plane lost Soviets: shot down by missile and pilot Gary Powers Soviets: shot down by missile and pilot Gary Powers

was capturedwas captured Powers was convicted of espionage and served Powers was convicted of espionage and served

almost 2 years in Soviet prisonalmost 2 years in Soviet prison