A Brief History
On January 17, 1961, outgoing President Dwight David Eisenhower (better known as “Ike”) made his farewell address to the nation, a tradition of outgoing Presidents since George Washington left office.
Digging Deeper
Ike’s speech was unique in that he warned the public of the “Military Industrial Complex,” the big business of war.
Televised for the US public, this stunning speech warning of such downfalls must have sounded a bit odd, since while he was President Ike did nothing especially to reduce these alleged spending pitfalls. Ike perpetuated the New Deal programs, even to the point of expanding them. Ike supported the gigantic Interstate Highway program and also supported our entry into the Space Race. In fact, only 3 of Ike’s 8 budgets (he was President from 1953-1961) were balanced budgets. Ike’s time in office also saw the last 2 states admitted to the Union (Alaska and Hawaii).
Eisenhower had been a popular World War II hero as a five star general (Army) in charge of the Western Allied European Theater, including command of the D-Day Invasion of Normandy. In fact, Ike was the only General elected President during the 20th Century, after the previous century in which many Presidents had been generals. Ike’s time as President was marked by the cloud of the Cold War, although the US was still reaping the benefits of having been the only major industrialized nation not devastated by World War II. It was a time of prosperity and optimism.
Eisenhower’s farewell address, especially the “military industrial complex” part has often been referred to as a warning about how big moneyed interests may steer our nation into wars that may not be necessary or moral, but for the benefit of big business and defense contractors. This specter was often raised during the War in Vietnam and again during the Gulf War I and II.
A heavy smoker (3 packs a day), Ike had suffered from 7 heart attacks between 1955 and his death in 1969. He had also suffered from gall stones and adrenal tumors. Generally considered a respected and popular public figure and President, one thing Ike may be criticized for was giving us Richard M. Nixon as his Vice-President! Question for students (and subscribers):Do you like Ike? Please tell us what you do and do not like about this war hero and President in the comments section below this article.
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Historical Evidence
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<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="15157 https://www.historyandheadlines.com/?p=15157">30 Comments
The U.S. spent an enormous amount of money of defense back then. I had no idea.
55 to 75% ! That is a huge defense spending budget. I think we spend too much today.
You have to respect Ike for his military career and rank.
I am amazed at the amount spent for the defense. They always say with every good offense comes a good defense but this seems outrageous! There probably should have been more focus on offense than defense.
Imagine how differently things would’ve been had he not used Nixon as his Vice President. Ford would not have had to pardon Nixon in an effort to get the country past Watergate.
Whoa. 3 packs a day and 7 heart attacks. Surprised he was able to survive those during that time when medical technology was still in its infancy. And what does the government know about a budget. Every president talks about the budget and still spends recklessly. It’s common practice.
No wonder he had health problems with smoking that much!
I found the smoking to be quite alarming as well. he was a great war hero though in times where all the effects of smoking were not all discovered.
How did he even survive that long. Some people lives the most unhealthiest lives and live so recklessly but live forever. He will always be a historic icon in USA history.
President Eisenhower was good president and great general. I totally agree with his farewell speech because we do go into war sometimes because big business push the government into it to make a profit.
3 out of 8 budgets were balanced budgets.
He may have done nothing during his presidency to reduce the spending pitfalls in the government, but that is probably why he put it in his unique farewell speech. It was a last bit of business he wanted to get out of the way, and it worked overtime since defense spending is down today 30-35%.
I thought it was a unique speech but however it did put out there what was going on with our nation and the spending.
Suffering through 7 heart attacks sounds like a horrible time. President Eisenhower did a good thing by warning us during his speech, however he should have done something about this issue while in office.
It amazes me that he was somehow able to survive 7 heart attacks! What a medical miracle! He for sure wasn’t going down without a fight!
Ike must have had a cigarette in his hand constantly with smoking 3 packs a day! And living through 7 heart attacks, I can’t believe he made it to 7.
President Eisenhower was a smart individual when it came to politics. However, his intelligence did not carry over to his health.
Sounds like he was a respectable man. He was just trying to be honest with the nation in his resignation speech.
I give this man respect for being honest during his speech.
I think a good president should be honest with the people which is what he did. Also, he has done so much during World War 2 including taking charge of the D-Day invasion. He has earned my respect.
Honesty is something you do not usually associate with a politician. He defiantly should be commended for such honesty and everything he accomplished.
Kudo’s for him for being honest in his speech, it seems like honesty is very hard to have in politics.
I am a firm believer of practice what you preach. Although he only balanced 3 of the 8 budgets, at least he made an attempt.
It is a shame his warnings went unnoticed and I am sure not by accident. I do commend him for his honesty and some of the things he did do while in office.
You would think after seven heart attacks it would be a wakeup call to stop smoking! Nevertheless, President Eisenhower was a remarkable leader given all his accomplishments of WWII and erecting the Interstate Highway Program. What is interesting, when Eisenhower left office he was seen as old and outdated, while his successor, President Kennedy, was seen to be youthful and full of vigor. Moreover, having Richard Nixon as his Vice President didn’t help him any.
I see many people have commented on the 34th president’s smoking. I would offer that some perspective be given to it. He grew up during a time when the government said that “smoking was good for you”. Based on the culture and perception of the time (unlike the world we live in now, when we all know the dangers that smoking poses to one’s health), smoking was seen as being “cool”. He probably started the habit as a young man and thought there was nothing wrong with smoking that much.He was a product of the environment that he grew up in.
President Eisenhower was a very honest man just sad that with the health issues he had that they went unseen and that ultimately cost him his life.
I think President Eisenhower became president at a critical time. Our country came out on top thanks to his leadership.
President Eisenhower warned the people about those things he said in his goodbye speech makes you wonder while he was in office did he do anything he said while he was campaigning?
President Eisenhower seemed to have been a very good president. It’s unfortunate that he had health issues, but he sure is appreciated and recognized