11 - The Hot Peace: The Eisenhower, Kennedy, And Johnson Years, 1953–1969

Summary

The Dwight David Eisenhower administration launched a security reassessment known as Project Solarium. This produced a new grand strategy known as the New Look. Eisenhower wanted to cut the cost of defense and famously warned about the dangers of the “military-industrial complex.” A solution was a reliance on atomic and then nuclear weapons. These were cheaper than standing forces. Eisenhower also stressed economic support abroad, alliance relationships, information operations, and subversion of Communist-leaning states abroad such as Guatemala and Iran. Secretary of State Dean Acheson gave us “brinksmanship” and “massive retaliation.” John F. Kennedy succeeded Eisenhower and criticized him for a supposed “missile gap” with the Soviet Union. Kennedy promulgated no official national security strategy but developed a grand strategy known as Flexible Response. His administration abandoned Eisenhower’s near-total dependence on nuclear weapons for a broader defense strategy. He faced crises in Berlin and particularly in Cuba. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara gave us MAD – mutually assured destruction. Kennedy moved America from an advising to a combat role in South Vietnam.