34.+Dwight+D.+Eisenhower



Why is he the greatest?: "Ike is a president who should be seen as one of the greatest. He went from a small position in the military, to the supreme commander of the allied forces. Ike was a great commander during the War, and a great leader during his presidency. He tried his best to ensure a world peace. He held the Geneva convention, and even got a peace treaty with Southern Korea to lay down its arms. His actions showed other countires we're not a warmongering country hellbent on war, but that we have the ability to be civilized and peacful. Ike even stood against segregation in the army and schools, He was a man of equality in an age of segregation.

Pre Presidency Life: Eisenhower was born in 1890 inTexas, but grew up on Abilene, Kansas. He was the third born of seven siblings. Gorwing up he excelled in sports, especially during his years in High School. Due to his athletic abilities he was accepted and brought to West Point in Texas, where he was stationed as a second lieutenant. WHile at west point he met Mamie Geneva Doud, who he married in 1916.

Early Military Career: During his time serving, he excelled at staff assignments,. He even served under generals such as: John J. Pershing, Douglas MacArthur, and Walter Krueger. Once the bombing of Pearl Harbor had happend, Eisenhower was called to washington by General George Marshal. Here he was assigned the duty of commanding the allied forces landing in Africa in 1942. He was promoted to supreme commander of the allied forces landing on Normandy in 1944. (D-Day)

Post War: After the war he became president of Columbia University. After this he left to lead NATO forces that were being assembled in 1951. He was persuaded in 1952 to run for office.

1st Term Election/Presidency: in the 1952 election, Eisenhower had a sweeping victory. His slogan "We like Ike" was an irresistable and popular slogan amongst his voters. As president he tried to reduce strains of the cold war. However he did suceed in 1953 with the signing of a truce, which brought an armed peace in South Korea. After the Death of Stalin, a fear of the new weapon "The H. Bomb" brought Eisenhower, and the leaders of the French, British, and Russian government to hold the Geneva Convention in July, 1955. AT this meeting Eisenhower suggested that Russia exchange blueprints of military establishments with the U.S. THis proposal was met with silence. However the end result was tensions being relaxed between the nations.

2nd Term Election/Presidency: In September 1955, Eisenhower suffered a major heart attack, which hospitalized him until February 1956. The following November, after having a full recovory, he was elected for his second term. As president he sent troops to Little Rock, Kansas to ensure the desegregation of schools went without a trouble. He also desegregated the Military saying "There must be no second class citizens in this country." He left office in 1961, and suggested that our government keep a strong military force.

Post Presidency: Eisenhower retired to his farm in Gettysburg in 1961. SHortly after, in 1969, he died of illness on march 28th.

Eisenhower is known for his speech to the Allied Expeditionary Force. The speech was made to encourage those being sent to Normandy, France. [|Eisenhower's Speech to Troops.]