1952 U.S. presidential election

1952

War hero Dwight D. Eisenhower defeated Adlai Stevenson, ending twenty years of Democratic presidents amid frustration over the Korean War.

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The story

On November 4, 1952, Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower, the general who had led the D-Day invasion, defeated Democrat Adlai Stevenson, the governor of Illinois. Eisenhower won 442 electoral votes and 55.2 percent of the popular vote to Stevenson's 89 and 44.3 percent. It ended five straight Democratic victories and brought Republicans narrow control of Congress. Senator Richard Nixon of California was Eisenhower's running mate.

Truman chose not to run as his popularity sank over the Korean War stalemate, corruption scandals and fears of communist spies stoked by Senator Joseph McCarthy. Republicans summed up their attack as 'Korea, communism and corruption.' Eisenhower, popular across party lines, promised 'I shall go to Korea' to end the war. It was the first campaign shaped by television: Eisenhower ran short TV spot ads, and Nixon saved his place on the ticket with a televised address answering charges about a political fund.

Why it mattered

Eisenhower's administration negotiated the Korean armistice in July 1953.
His presidency built the Interstate Highway System and expanded nuclear deterrence in the Cold War.
Television advertising became a permanent and costly part of American campaigns.

Sources

Dwight D. Eisenhower: Campaigns and Elections Miller Center
1952 Presidential Election 270toWin
September 23, 1952: Checkers Speech Miller Center
United States presidential election of 1952 Britannica

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Documentmillercenter.org

Checkers Speech, September 23, 1952

At a glance

When: November 4, 1952
Where: United States (48 states)
Key people: Dwight D. Eisenhower (Republican, winner)
Adlai Stevenson II (Democratic nominee)
Richard Nixon (vice president-elect)
Harry S. Truman (outgoing president)

442 to 89electoral votes, Eisenhower over Stevenson

55.2%Eisenhower's share of the popular vote

about 60 millionpeople who watched or heard Nixon's Checkers speech

552earlier events it rests on

13later events that depend on it

Couldn't have happened without

1948 U.S. presidential election1948

ImportantTruman's unpopular second term, after his 1948 win, left Democrats weak and him out of the race.

Korean War1950

EssentialThe stalemated Korean War was the top issue, and Eisenhower's pledge to go to Korea sealed it.

Electronic television1927

HelpedTelevision carried the first TV ad campaign and Nixon's Checkers speech to millions.

Led to

1956 U.S. presidential election1956

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