How successfully did Eisenhower’s administration address Cold War fears after WWII from 1948 to 1961?
Eisenhower’s administration was to a somewhat large extent successful in addressing Cold War fears after World War II through attempts at promoting capitalism and preventing the spread of Communism.
I. General American Fears after WWII. A. Spread of Communism fear of U.S. becoming Communist. B. China Communist fear. C. McCarthyism heightened fear. D. Hesitation of action to prevent WWIII ^ fear.
II. Eisenhower Administration
A. Massive retaliation; nuclear weapons prevented USSR attack.
B. Containment policy to prevent war/attack.
C. Interstate Highway System to ^ US defense against Communism.
D. CIA …show more content…

citizens. For example, through the Interstate Highway System, the U.S. was not only able to make travel easier for American citizens, but up their defense against potential attacks. The Interstate Highway System could act as a quicker mode of transportation for the armed forces, which helped the American defense. (Doc D) The Eisenhower administration’s decision to build the Interstate Highway System was a wise one, as a form of defense and a tool to connect not only the U.S.’s major cities, but to connect industry to the military. Other domestic advancements would be the NDEA, which helped increased education among Americans. Eisenhower understood the necessity for education and increased education in fields such as science and engineering. (Doc G) His decision is reasonable because an educational advantage would help the U.S. against the USSR in technology. Even without an advantage in technology, it would put the U.S. at the USSR’s level, further preventing Soviet attacks on the U.S. The Eisenhower administration’s foreign policy also calmed American citizens through promoting peace and providing aid to anti-communist countries. For example, in the Korean armistice, the U.S. signed a peace treaty with communist North Korea and China. Maintaining peace helped American fear diminish. Another example would be Eisenhower’s action in preventing the domino theory, or the idea that after South Vietnam fell to communism, other countries would follow suit. His theory