Dwight Eisenhower on Homeland Security

1961: Permanent armaments industry has grave implications

"We have been compelled to create a permanent armaments industry of vast proportions. Now this conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence--economic, political, even spiritual--is felt in every city, every state house, every office of the Federal Government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society."

While Eisenhower's comments were made in the middle of the Cold War, we clearly did not heed his warnings, either then or later. Since that time, our military expenditures have steadily increased to the point where they are 54 percent of all discretionary federal funds.

1953 Domino Theory: one USSR takeover leads to more

The Cold War was raging while Eisenhower was in office. He began building up nuclear weapons to protect America and to warn the Soviet Union that the U.S. would retaliate if fired upon. When Fidel Castro took power in Cuba and then began relations with the Soviet Union, Eisenhower placed an embargo on the country. He was concerned about the Soviet involvement in Vietnam. He came up with the Domino Theory where he said that if the Soviet Union could topple one regime (like Vietnam), it would find it easier and easier to topple further regimes. Therefore, he was the first to send advisors to the region. He also created the Eisenhower Doctrine where he asserted that America had the right to aid any country threatened by Communist aggression.

1961: Be wary of the military-industrial complex

-- President Dwight D. Eisenhower in his farewell address to the nation, January 17, 1961.

Ended Korean War by practicing nuclear brinkmanship

Unlike Richard Nixon, Senator Taft and older isolationists were skeptical of the Soviet threat and critical of the Truman administration's internationalist approach. But the debate within the Republican Party between isolationists and anti-Communists would be short-lived.

In 1952, Taft lost the GOP nomination to Dwight D. Eisenhower, who ended the Korean War by practicing nuclear brinkmanship against the Communist North. Eisenhower's party would remain strictly anti-Communist throughout the remained of the 1950s. The anti-Soviet fervor would eventually lead to Wisconsin senator Joe McCarthy's crusade against Communism.

1957: ban nuclear testing

Ending draft takes undue chances with our nation's security

Cutting defense budget takes a needless gamble

"But I earnestly believe that this defense budget represents, in today's world, the proper dividing line between national danger on the one hand and excessive expenditure on the other. If it is materially cut, I believe the country would be taking a needless gamble."

"As we look at the whole range of the budget there is only one hope of making the really great savings that we all want so much. That hope is to achieve an effective disarmament agreement with an easing of world tensions, so that the enormous sums we have to spend for our defense can be drastically reduced."

More defense spending doesn't necessarily increase security

Every addition to defense expenditures does not automatically increase military security. Because security is based upon moral and economic, as well as purely military strength, a point can be reached at which additional funds for arms, far from bolstering security, weaken it.

But I also rejected advice which urged that I submit a balanced budget for the next fiscal year, no matter how impelling the reasons for additional expenditures.

Permanent arms industry is new to the American experience

This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience.

We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.

Post-war disarmament is dangerous; keep peacetime military

But when, in 1953, the Korean armistice was signed, our government embarked on a new program of peacetime military preparation, costly, it is true, but in my opinion, in view of the world situation, decidedly necessary. No free nation can disregard the persistently announced purpose of the Communist imperialists to dominate the globe.

1960: Proposed limited nuclear test ban treaty

1. all nuclear weapons tests in the atmosphere
2. all nuclear weapons tests in the oceans
3. all nuclear weapons tests in those regions in space where effective controls can now be agreed to
4. and all nuclear weapons tests beneath the surface of the earth which can be monitored.

Safety through strength, but lay foundations of real peace

My profoundest conviction is that the American people will say, as one man: No matter what the exertions or sacrifices, we shall maintain that necessary strength!

But we could make no more tragic mistake than merely to concentrate on military strength. For if we did only this, the future would hold nothing for the world but an Age of Terror. We must never become so preoccupied with our desire for military strength that we neglect those areas of economic development, trade, diplomacy, education, ideas and principles where the foundations of real peace must be laid.

The threat to our safety, and to the hope of a peaceful world, can be simply stated. It is communist imperialism.

Ferret out and to destroy Communist subversion at home

We shall continue to ferret out and to destroy Communist subversion.

We shall, in the process, carefully preserve our traditions and the basic rights of our citizens.

Our civil defense program is also a key element in the protection of our country. We are developing cooperative methods with State Governors, Mayors, and voluntary citizen groups, as well as among Federal agencies, in building the civil defense organization.

Supply states for civil defense preparedness

Civil defense responsibilities primarily belong to the State and local governments--recruiting, training, and organizing volunteers to meet any emergency. The immediate job of the Federal Government is to provide leadership, to supply technical guidance, and to continue to strengthen its civil defense stockpile of medical, engineering, and related supplies and equipment. This work must go forward without lag.