General
Dwight David Eisenhower was the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces during
World War II and became the 34th President of the United States in 1953. This
hero in war was also a hero in peace. Shortly after taking office as President,
he chose the path of a diplomat instead of general to help negotiate an end to
the Korean War with a personal visit to the UN forces in Korea. During the Cold
War he made several overtures to Russian leaders to calm hostilities between the
two superpowers, including negotiating the first nuclear arms agreement. Eisenhower
gave aid to Third World countries to help stabilize their political institutions
and development. He believed that stable governments and prosperity was the key
to peace within these nations, which would contribute to peace around the world.
In 1956, Eisenhower created People-to-People, a citizen ambassador program that
continues to this day to promote peace between nations by promoting understanding
between cultures. In his farewell address to the nation in 1961, President Eisenhower
warned the nation to be cautious about allowing the military-industrial complex
to have too much influence in the government, and to instead always work for the
ideals of peace and freedom. His warning and advice is all too relevant today.
