Impact on History

General Dwight D. Eisenhower addresses American paratroopers on D-Day

    He entered into World War II. He got promoted to captain and was sent to Camp Colt in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  He earned full colonel rank and was named chief of staff for third army. After the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan, Marshal called Dwight to serve as assistant chief of staff in Washington.  Marshall was pleased on Dwight’s planned attack against the Germans so he made him Commander of European Theater of Operations, 1942.  Dwight had also encountered problems such as his failed attempted to capture Antwerp quickly to end the war before the winter. Soon after he was promoted to Allied commander and planned for D-day, the largest land ad amphibian assault ever categorized for battle in history. Its success led to project Market-Garden which was supposed to end the war in Europe.

     During the war rumor arose about Dwight being candidate for president of the United States. Though Dwight always thought of why he should not run but people kept on encouraging him.  Dwight Declared himself a Republican in January, 1952.  He chose Richard Nixon as his running mate.  Americans adored the “I Like Ike” slogan. (Remembering Ike is his nickname) It helped Dwight dominate in electoral votes that defeated Adlai Stevenson 442 to 89.  Dwight arranged a truce agreement and ended the Korean War in December, 1952. Then his presidency began in 1952.  During his presidency he had supported segregated schools and tried to balance the desire for a minimized federal budget with challenges faced by the cold war, President Eisenhower again faced Stevenson to run for presidency, 1956.  His fans still loved the “I Like Ike” slogan. He easily won but with 457 to 73 electoral votes.  During this presidency he signed a bill about Interstate Highway System in 1956. It was designed to help evacuate large cites and allow the military to move in for possible future war.  With the spreading communism Ike made the Eisenhower doctrine. After making this he started to send adviser to South Vietnam. This soon started the Vietnam War. This doctrine was a collective treaty that would permit the U.S. to give military support to any Southeast Asian countries that asked for it.

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