Dwight Eisenhower: An Often Overlooked Leader

I recently finished reading the biography Eisenhower in War and Peace. Before reading this book, I knew little more about Eisenhower's presidency than that he built the interstate system.

After reading this biography, I'm inclined to think he is the most effective modern president we've had. In many ways his success seems to highlight the more recent lack of leadership in Washington.




A few of his accomplishments

  • Ended the Korean War within 7 months of being inaugurated
  • Avoided entanglement in Vietnam
  • Not only balanced the budget, but reduced the national debt from 100% of GDP to 56%
  • Accomplished this while engaged in an arms race with the Soviet Union and without massive cuts to social programs or increasing taxes
  • Avoided a recession after Korea by building the interstate highway system (unemployment when he left office was at 5%)
  • Only president in the twentieth century to preside over 8 years of peace
  • Began desegregation of the South while avoiding major riots
  • Able to work with a Democratic congress, as well as Republican Party leadership which was completely uncompromising in a desire to balance the budget immediately and at all costs







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