When Dwight Eisenhower succeeded Truman as president, he
accepted the basic framework of government responsibility
established by the New Deal, but sought to hold the line on
programs and expenditures. He termed his approach "dynamic
conservatism" or "modern Republicanism," which meant, he
explained, "conservative when it comes to money, liberal when it
comes to human beings." A critic countered that Eisenhower
appeared to argue that he would "strongly recommend the building
of a great many schools...but not provide the money."
Eisenhower's first priority was to balance the budget after
years of deficits. He wanted to cut spending and taxes and
maintain the value of the dollar. Republicans were willing to
risk unemployment to keep inflation in check. Reluctant to
stimulate the economy too much, they saw the country suffer
three economic recessions in the eight years of the Eisenhower
presidency, but none was very severe.
In other areas, the administration transferred control of
offshore oil lands from the federal government to the states. It
also favored private development of electrical power rather than
the public approach the Democrats had initiated. In general, its
orientation was sympathetic to business.
Compared to Truman, Eisenhower had only a modest domestic
program. When he was active in promoting a bill, it likely was
to trim the New Deal legacy a bit-as in reducing agricultural
subsidies or placing mild restrictions on labor unions. His
disinclination to push fundamental change in either direction
was in keeping with the spirit of the generally prosperous
Fifties. He was one of the few presidents who left office as
popular as when he entered it.
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