Hello and welcome back to another edition of the presidential election series! In this installment, I’ll be discussing the election of 1956. Dwight D. Eisenhower has been president for four years, and now he must prove he still has what it takes to secure re-election.
The Election of 1956: Eisenhower’s Presidency
After his decisive victory over Adlai Stevenson in 1952, Dwight ‘Ike’ Eisenhower had been busy tackling both domestic and international issues. His administration continued many New Deal policies from his Democratic predecessors and established the Department of Health and Human Services, dedicated to “improving the health, safety, and well-being of America.” Eisenhower also championed space exploration, leading to the creation of NASA, and promoted the Interstate Highway System, using the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 to fund its construction. He viewed this as a crucial step in enhancing the nation’s infrastructure.
In foreign policy, Eisenhower’s record was mixed. He achieved notable successes, including ending U.S. involvement in the Korean War and the Soviet occupation of Austria. His handling of the Suez Canal Crisis in 1956 was particularly praised; when France, Britain, and Israel invaded Egypt in response to Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser’s nationalization of the canal, Eisenhower threatened economic sanctions, which led to a resolution facilitated by the United Nations.
However, Eisenhower’s international policies had their downsides. His administration authorized CIA-led coups in Guatemala, the Congo, the Dominican Republic, and Iran. The latter, where the CIA aided in the overthrow of Iran’s elected leader Mohammad Mossadegh, would have long-term repercussions for U.S.-Iran relations. Despite these controversies, Eisenhower remained widely popular, and the Republican Party nominated him for re-election, with Richard Nixon as his running mate.
The Return of the Egghead
As the election season approached, the Democratic Party faced the challenge of selecting a candidate to compete against the popular incumbent. The top contenders were:
- Averell Harriman: Governor of New York
- Estes Kefauver: Senator from Tennessee
- Adlai Stevenson II: Former Governor of Illinois
Stevenson, who had been decisively defeated by Eisenhower in 1952, was more determined to win the nomination this time. Despite Harriman’s endorsement from former President Harry Truman, the race for the Democratic nomination was closely contested between Stevenson and Kefauver. Kefauver initially won the first two primaries, leading to the first-ever live television debate between the candidates in May 1956. Stevenson emerged victorious, securing the nomination and selecting Kefauver as his running mate after delegates switched their support from other candidates, including a fresh-faced Senator from Massachusetts, John F. Kennedy.
The Election of 1956: The Campaigns & Election Ads
Much like in 1952, Stevenson faced a significant disadvantage running against a popular incumbent. To level the playing field, Stevenson and Kefauver used television ads to advocate for economic improvement, education reforms, and to critique Eisenhower’s policies. Their campaign focused on issues such as ending the draft, increasing social spending, reducing military expenditures, and signing treaties with the Soviet Union.
Eisenhower’s campaign ads, though not as iconic as the “I Like Ike” ad from 1952, effectively communicated his record. They emphasized his achievements, such as pulling American troops out of Korea and avoiding further military conflicts. The ads also targeted female voters, particularly housewives, who had overwhelmingly supported Ike in the previous election.
Eisenhower’s campaign also highlighted his support for the landmark Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education, which promoted racial integration in public schools. This support garnered around 40% of the African American vote—a significant achievement for the GOP at the time.
The Election of 1956 Results
As anticipated, Dwight Eisenhower won re-election decisively, securing his position as the 34th president of the United States. He won 41 states out of 48, including Louisiana, which had not voted Republican since 1876. Eisenhower received 457 electoral votes and 57.4% of the popular vote.
Adlai Stevenson ended with just 73 electoral votes and 42% of the popular vote, marking the worst performance for a Democratic presidential candidate since Al Smith in 1928.
This election made Dwight Eisenhower the first Republican president to be elected to a second term since William McKinley in 1900, and the first to serve two full terms since Ulysses S. Grant. The 1956 election remains the last presidential election that was a direct rematch of the previous one.
And that wraps up the election of 1956. Eisenhower’s re-election sets the stage for an intriguing early 1960s, where future presidential elections will bring new dynamics to the forefront.
