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5. He Sponsored and Signed the Civil Rights
Bill of 1957. This was the first civil rights bill since Reconstruction.
Much to Eisenhower's dismay, Congress amended the bill and critically
weakened its effectiveness.
This gave birth to America's interstate highway system.
Eisenhower worked hard to get the bill passed and it was his favorite piece
of legislation.
Despite much pressure to do otherwise, he also refused to
cut taxes and raise defense spending. His fiscal policy contributed to the
prosperity of the 1950's.
He alone had the prestige to persuade Americans to accept
a negotiated peace and convince the Chinese that failure to reach an
agreement would lead to dire consequences. Eisenhower considered this to be
his greatest presidential accomplishment.
Eisenhower was confronted with major Cold War crises every
year he was in office: Korea, Vietnam, Formosa, Suez, Hungary, Berlin, and
the U-2. While more than once America seemed on the brink of war and those
around him clamored to drop the Bomb, Eisenhower always kept a level head. He
dealt calmly and rationally with each situation, always finding a solution
that avoided war without diminishing America's prestige. IKE'S
TOP 5 PRESIDENTIAL FAILURES
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