Eisenhower and the Soviet Union : presidential leadership in foreign policy, 1953-61 / Adam Boon.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Boon, Adam, author.

Series:

New perspectives on the American presidency

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969.

Eisenhower, Dwight D.

Soviet Union--Foreign relations--United States.

Soviet Union.

United States--Foreign relations--Soviet Union.

United States.

United States--Foreign relations--1953-1961.

Physical Description:

1 online resource.

Place of Publication:

Edinburgh : Edinburgh University Press, 2026.

Summary:

Examines whether Eisenhower adhered to a coherent, unique and effective form of presidential leadership addresses major historiographical debates in Eisenhower scholarship strategy development, crisis management, interpersonal relationships, communication methods, interpreting Soviet leadership politics and handling domestic politics are among the core facets of presidential leadership examined covers Eisenhower's role in significant events and crises of the period, for example: Sputnik, Berlin and summitry in Geneva and Paris explores thematic issues in the US-Soviet bilateral relationship such as the 'contacts agenda' assesses the mode and quality of Dwight D. Eisenhower's presidential leadership by analyzing his contribution to American policy towards the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1961. Three overarching questions are explored. First: how did Eisenhower, as president, lead his administration's policy towards the Soviet Union? Second: what general observations can be made about Eisenhower's presidential leadership based on this account of how he managed Soviet policy? Third: what does this mean for how Eisenhower's leadership has been framed to date? The book offers a nuanced comparison of Eisenhower's performance across separate elements of presidential leadership, how they knitted together as a whole and his evolution as a leader over eight years. It provides a basis for scrutinizing cornerstones of Eisenhower scholarship, including the pervasive conception of 'hidden-hand' leadership, which has long had a transformative impact on interpretations of Eisenhower's presidency.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction Leadership and Soviet policy in the context of Eisenhower's presidency: 'Be the leader of the United States and the world!'

1 Reviewing the Truman inheritance, Stalin's death and Atoms for Peace: 'The Eisenhower era begins as the Stalin era ends'

2 Implementing New Look, pursuing Atoms for Peace, and the resumption of dialogue at the Berlin conference: 'Our foreign policy is shaping up sounder than ever before'

3 Eisenhower and the 'great spectacle' of the Geneva summit: 'Each side believed the other had horns and a tail'

4 The twin crises of Suez and Hungary, Khrushchev's secret speech and the 1956 re-election campaign: 'The most crowded and demanding period of my entire presidency'

5 Arms control, Sputnik and diplomatic paralysis: 'The seductive qualities of Soviet promises'

6 The Berlin crisis, nuclear testing and inviting Khrushchev to America: 'Be careful not to start a war just for the stamp'

7 Khrushchev at Camp David, the Paris summit and the end of Eisenhower's presidency: 'Everything depends on the two of us'

Conclusion What does the management of US-Soviet relations tell us about Eisenhower's presidential leadership?: 'The unhappy intimacy this involves'

Bibliography

Index

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Online resource; title from PDF title page (De Gruyter Brill, viewed March 17, 2026).

Other Format:

Print version: Boon, Adam. Eisenhower and the Soviet Union.

ISBN:

9781399545334

1399545337

9781399545327

1399545329

OCLC:

1570338945

Publisher Number:

CIPO000330079

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license