United States

On June 25, 1950, a powerful invading force from the Soviet-supported Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) swept south of the 38th parallel into the Republic of Korea (South Korea). Within days, President Truman resolved to defend South Korea, even though there were few Americans in Korea and few troops ready for combat. The UN Security Council, acting during a Soviet boycott, quickly passed a resolution calling upon UN members to resist North Korean aggression.

After almost being driven into the sea, UN forces, made up largely of U.S. troops and commanded by U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur, counterattacked successfully and in September pushed the North Korean forces back across the border. Not content with this victory, the United States attempted to unify Korea by force, advancing almost to the borders of China and the Soviet Union. China, after its warnings were ignored, then entered the war, driving the UN forces back into South Korea. The battle line was soon stabilized along the 38th parallel, and armistice talks began on July 10, 1951, three months after Truman had relieved MacArthur for openly challenging U.S. policies. The talks dragged on fruitlessly, interrupted by outbreaks of fighting, until Eisenhower became president. The United States sustained some 142,000 casualties in this limited war, most of them occurring after China’s entry.

U.S. troops preparing for the assault on Inch'ŏn during the Korean War, September 1950.Bert Harey—© Hulton Deutsch/PNI

In addition to militarizing the Cold War, the Korean conflict widened its field. The United States assumed responsibility for protecting Taiwan against invasion from mainland China. Additional military aid was extended to the French in Indochina. In December 1950 Truman called for a crash program of rearmament, not just to support the forces in Korea but especially to expand the U.S. presence in Europe. As a result, defense expenditures rose to $53.6 billion in 1953, four times the pre-Korean level, and would decline only modestly after the armistice.

Peace, growth, and prosperity

Dwight D. Eisenhower (centre), the Republican Party nominee for U.S. president, with running mate Richard Nixon (left, holding child) at campaign headquarters in Washington, D.C., September 10, 1952.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Stevenson, Adlai E.Adlai E. Stevenson waving to supporters before speaking at Madison Square Garden, New York City, 1952.Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.The stalemated Korean War, a renewal of inflation, and the continuing Red Scare persuaded Truman not to stand for reelection in 1952 and also gravely handicapped Gov. Adlai E. Stevenson of Illinois, the Democratic nominee. His opponent, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, was an immensely popular war hero with great personal charm and no political record, making him extremely hard to attack. Although he disliked their methods, Eisenhower allowed Republican campaigners, including his running mate, Sen. Richard M. Nixon of California, to capitalize on the Red Scare by accusing the Truman administration of disloyalty. Eisenhower himself charged the administration with responsibility for the communist invasion of Korea and won wide acclaim when he dramatically promised that if elected he would visit Korea in person to end the war.

Eisenhower won over many farmers, ethnic whites, workers, and Roman Catholics who had previously voted Democratic. He defeated Stevenson by a large margin, carrying 39 states, including three in the once solidly Democratic South. Despite Eisenhower’s overwhelming victory, Republicans gained control of the House by just eight votes and managed only a tie in the Senate. Because the Republican margin was so slight, and because many right-wing Republicans in Congress disagreed with his policies, Eisenhower would increasingly depend upon Democrats to realize his objectives.