Eisenhower Domestic Policy Beginnings

1. Highway Act of 1956
• As a soldier in 1919, Ike
was asked to go from NY
to San Francisco w/ a
military convoy
• 2 Months to do it!!
• In WWII, the autobahn
and its use in defense
also peaked his interest.
• Today, 47,000 miles of
interstates in the US
• Other Uses
• National Defense-1/5 miles
must be straight
• Evacuation from natural
disasters

2. US Highway System

3. Interstate Highway Numbering
• Numbers that are
Even go East and
West
• Ex: I-80, I-70, I-76
• Numbers that are
odd go North and
South
• Ex I-79, I-95
• Interstates that have 3
numbers are special!
• An even number in front
of an interstate means it
connects in 2 places
• Ex: I-279, I-495
• An odd number means
that it connects in 1 place
(Spur)
• Ex: I-579, I-376

4. Local Highways

5. I-279 Corridor

6. I-376 Corridor

7. Creeping Socialism
• Ike pushed “Balancing the
Budget” more than anything.
• Only came close 3 times in 8 years.
• America was becoming too
liberal
• Too Dependent on others for help!
• Ike cut back on military buildup
(10% GDP)
• Block any new expansion of
Social Welfare Programs
• However, created Dept. of Health,
Education, and Welfare to help
those at the bottom of the ladder