Tag Archives: Dwight D. Eisenhower
The Establishment of the Outer Space Treaty
With the fiftieth anniversary of the “Outer Space Treaty,” formally the “Treaty on the Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and other Celestial Bodies,” taking place on January 27, … Continue reading
A Breathless Survey of Strategic Air Command (SAC) History
During the latter 1940s, although some demobilization took place after World War II, the cold war between the United States and the Soviet Union precipitated the creation of a strategic force that could strike an enemy with nuclear weapons anywhere … Continue reading
Eisenhower as Sputnik Crisis Leader
Since tomorrow is the anniversary of the launch of Sputnik, I thought it appropriate to reflect on the Eisenhower response to what became an important crisis in his presidency in the fall of 1957. Without question, in reacting to Sputnik … Continue reading
Wednesday’s Book Review: “Selling War in a Media Age”
Selling War in a Media Age: The Presidency and Public Opinion in the American Century. Edited by Kenneth Osgood and Andrew K. Frank. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2010. Collected works are always problematic. There is always the challenge of … Continue reading
Parallels Between the Sputnik and 9/11 Crises
Is there a relationship between the so-called “Sputnik moment” in October 1957 and the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks? Yes, at several levels there are intriguing parallels between the Sputnik crisis of 1957-1958 that Eisenhower faced and the aftermath of the … Continue reading
Comments on the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938 (Public Law 75-706)
I recently participated in a discussion of educational materials to be prepared for helping to understand the administration of Dwight D. Eisenhower, president between January 1953 and January 1961. Eisenhower, whether one agrees with his policies or not, was a consequential … Continue reading
A Short History of USAF’s Strategic Air Command in the Cold War
During the latter 1940s, although some demobilization took place after World War II, the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union precipitated the creation of a strategic force that could strike an enemy with nuclear weapons anywhere … Continue reading
The Transit Program and the Origins of Nuclear Power Systems for Spaceflight
Since the dawn of the space age more than 50 years ago, the United States has pursued a variety of methods for delivering electrical power to spacecraft in flight. Nuclear power systems are the only ones that have been found … Continue reading
Eisenhower Revisionism and Sputnik
At present Dwight D. Eisenhower enjoys a presidential stature that ranks just below the greatest of the American presidents, especially Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson. This has not always been the case. For the last thirty years Eisenhower revisionism has been … Continue reading
Wednesday’s Book Review: “The Culture of the Cold War”
The Culture of the Cold War. By Stephen Whitfield. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1991, second edition 1996. I was preconditioned to appreciate this book when I first picked it up for a reading. I have been devouring studies … Continue reading
