Question

question 4 of 10

which phrase completes the graphic organizer to describe actions taken by dwight eisenhower during his first term as president?

eisenhowers first term as president
tried to improve relations between the united states and the soviet union
increased secret central intelligence agency operations against communism
oversaw the creation of the southeast asia treaty organization
?

a. increased military spending to keep the economy afloat
b. gradually pulled u.s. troops out of korea
c. gradually sent anti-communist propaganda around the world
d. increased the containment of communism in the united states

Explanation:

Analyze the graphic organizer

The graphic organizer lists actions taken by Dwight D. Eisenhower during his first term as president (1953–1957). The listed actions are:

1. Tried to improve relations between the United States and the Soviet Union (e.g., the Geneva Summit of 1955).
2. Increased secret Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operations against communism (e.g., covert operations in Iran in 1953 and Guatemala in 1954).
3. Oversaw the creation of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO, established in 1954).

We need to find another major foreign policy action taken by Eisenhower during his first term that fits this list.

Evaluate the answer choices

• A. Increased military spending to keep the economy afloat: This is historically incorrect. Eisenhower actually sought to limit conventional military spending under his "New Look" policy, relying instead on nuclear deterrence ("massive retaliation") to keep defense spending in check.
• B. Gradually pulled U.S. troops out of Korea: During his 1952 presidential campaign, Eisenhower promised to go to Korea and end the war. Shortly after taking office, an armistice was signed in July 1953, which allowed for the cessation of hostilities and the subsequent withdrawal/reduction of U.S. combat forces from the peninsula. This was a signature achievement of his first term.
• C. Gradually sent anti-communist propaganda around the world: While the U.S. did engage in information campaigns (like Radio Free Europe), this is not a primary, defining presidential action that fits the scale of the other items.
• D. Increased the containment of communism in the United States: Domestic containment (the Red Scare/McCarthyism) was largely driven by Congress (HUAC, Senator Joseph McCarthy) rather than direct executive actions by Eisenhower, who worked quietly to undermine McCarthy rather than increase domestic containment measures.

Connect to mastered concepts

Using the Containment Policy knowledge point, Eisenhower's foreign policy focused on containing the spread of communism globally. Ending the active conflict in Korea through the 1953 armistice successfully maintained the containment boundary at the 38th parallel while fulfilling his campaign promise to bring U.S. troops home.

Answer:

• (A) Increased military spending to keep the economy afloat
• (B) Gradually pulled U.S. troops out of Korea (Correct answer)
• (C) Gradually sent anti-communist propaganda around the world
• (D) Increased the containment of communism in the United States