Chapter 31: Search for Stability – Gallery Activity Questions

Section 1: The Eisenhower Years (pp.862-864 up to The Bricker Amendment)

1. Explain the reasons why Eisenhower and the Republican Party gained popularity in 1952 before the election.

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2. Which issues were the Republicans mainly concerned about and what did Eisenhower promise to the American people? How did Nixon almost compromise the Republican’s success?

3. Why were the Democrats unable to win the 1952 election?

4. Explain in detail Eisenhower’s style of leadership. Why did his style of leadership become known as “hidden-hand presidency”?

5. Evaluate Eisenhower’s leadership. List its advantages and disadvantages.

Section 1: The Eisenhower Years (pp.864 starting from The Bricker Amendment – 865)

1. What was the Bricker Amendment? Why did Eisenhower fight against it?

2. List the reasons why McCarthy’s “communist witch hunt” came to an end. Why did Eisenhower not want to attack him publicly?

3. What is presidential succession? Why were the American people concerned about Eisenhower’s presidency?

4. Why was Eisenhower renominated in 1956? How did Stevenson try to win Democratic support?

5. What was the divide between Republicans and why? What were the concerns of the conservative Republicans? Where did “modern Republicans” stand?

Section 2: “The Straight Road” (pp.867-869 up to Prosperity and Recession)

1. What is the role of the government according to Eisenhower?

2. What were the initial objectives of Roosevelt’s New Deal program (refer to p.778)? What did Eisenhower want to do with these New Deal programs?

3. Describe the relationship between business and labour. What merger occurred and what did it do for organized labour?

4. What problems did famers face between 1948 and 1956? What was agribusiness and what did it do to small farmers?

5. Who were seasonal workers? What happened to migrant workers and their families?

Section 2: “The Straight Road” (pp.869 starting from Prosperity and Recession – 870)

1. What caused economic growth in the 1950s?

2. What were the results of this rapid growth in 1957 and 1958

3. What were Eisenhower’s criticisms?

4. Who was Sherman Adams? Describe the scandal of 1958 and how this affected the Republicans.

5. List Eisenhower’s greatest accomplishments. In your opinion, do you think that he was an effective president? Why or why not?

Section 3: An Affluent Society (pp.871-873 up to Pressures to Conform)

What was American life like after WWII? What changes in society took place during this time?

Describe the American economy according to what John Kenneth Galbraith wrote in his book The Affluent Society. What was “economy of abundance” and why did life for Americans become easier?

What were the two most significant breakthroughs is science and technology during the 1950s and how did they affect the way in which Americans lived?

How did the automobile change the way of life in America?

What were the consequences of technological advancements to American society during this time period?

Section 3: An Affluent Society (pp.873 starting from Pressures to Conform – 876)

How and why did the development of suburbia pressure families to conform to the ideals of the “American Dream”? How did “conforming” extend to the work place?

Who was Dr. Benjamin Spock? What did he say about the role of women?

Why did so many women return to the home in the 1950s?

How did the television affect national politics?

What were the effects on American culture from television? How did music like rock and roll “shock and dismay” parents? Why were the 1950s called the “Golden Age of Television”?

Section 4: Foreign Policy (pp. 878 – 881)

List and describe the new alliances that were created under the Eisenhower administration.

Who was John Foster Dulles? In what ways did he influence Eisenhower’s position on foreign policy?

List the four areas of communist concern and describe the situation in each region

Explain “Third World” Neutrality. Why did Dulles see this as a problem?

Describe the situation in the Middle East. What was the Middle East’s connection with both the United States and the Soviet Union? What was the result of the Suez crisis?

Section 4: Foreign Policy (pp.882-885)

What was the Eisenhower Doctrine and what was its connection to Lebanon?

What difficulties did NATO experience in the 1950s? What happened to Soviet control of satellite nations and what was the reaction of the United States?

Why was there so much hostility towards the Americans from Latin America? How did Fidel Castro react to “American neglect” of Latin America?

How did Stalin’s death somewhat “thaw” communism in the Soviet Union? Did the relationship between the US and the Soviet Union change after Stalin’s death? Explain.

What was Eisenhower’s legacy? What are your reactions to his message on page 885? What did it say about his character?