Dwight D. Eisenhower

Thirty-fourth president, 1953–1961

In 1952, both political parties courted General Dwight D. Eisenhower as a possible presidential candidate. A triumphant World War II hero and a natural leader, the man was armed with a ready smile and an adept organizational ability. He eventually declared himself a Republican and served two terms.

Under Eisenhower’s leadership, the United States saw the end of the Korean War, the construction of the interstate highway system, and the beginnings of desegregation in the South. In 1957, he dispatched federal troops to Little Rock, Arkansas, to protect African American students after the desegregation of Central High School. It was the first time since Reconstruction that a president sent military forces into the South to enforce federal law. That same year, he signed a federal law granting protection for voting rights.

Having once been criticized as too passive, Eisenhower now draws praise for his consensual and effective style of leadership. His years in office are remembered as a time of peace and prosperity. Moreover, he consistently accomplished what few modern presidents have done: balancing the national budget.