American Foreign Policy - 1482 Words

As the Cold War continued, American foreign policy morphed. In 1953, upon the election of President Dwight David Eisenhower, Republicans held the majority in both the House and Senate (Hagen, Ruttan 1988, 4). President Eisenhower aspired to cut military spending and abandon containment. From the battlefield to the White House, Eisenhower relied on his military experience and knowledge to hone foreign policy strategies. Though Eisenhower’s policies had endured during his presidency, Kennedy’s presidency presented different challenges. It had become evident that American foreign policy needed to be reengineered, particularly as a result of important political tensions, including the Cuban missile crisis. Foreign Policy under Eisenhower The â€Å"New Look,† the brainchild of Eisenhower and his cabinet, would be characterized by a greater reliance on nuclear weapons and force as a means to combat the Soviet Union. Some felt that this new approach to foreign policy was controversial (Boyle 2005, 45). Whether it was considered controversial or tactical, the New Look was financially attractive and well allied to Eisenhower’s focus on the reduction of expenditures (Wenger 1997, 49). Eisenhower believed that building up a conventional military that would be a sufficient and credible deterrent would financially bankrupt the West (Boyle 2005, 45). Thus, he theorized that the proliferation of and greater reliance on nuclear weapons would result in a lessening demand for manpower.Show MoreRelatedInternational Relations And American Foreign Policy1320 Words   |  6 PagesInternational Relations and American Foreign Policy are both strong qualities that help define America as a na tion. Not only that, but a strong nation that has the reputation to not be trifled with. The concept of International Relations is so much broader than most will ever know and be aware of. 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