The Cold War was a time of fear for the American people in the aftermath of World War II, but it was also a key period in which different presidents initiated and carried out various programs to combat communism, both at home and abroad. President Eisenhower was elected in 1952, and the various actions he took during his two terms both assuaged and increased American fears related to Cold War problems. Eisenhower's policies and programs during the Cold War included MAD and McCarthyism, which caused national fears, brinkmanship, and the creation of highways to transport military equipment via the 1956 Federal Highway in the event of foreign war, and his creation of NASA and national defense education. 1958 law for a technological race with the Soviet Union. President Eisenhower implemented policies to keep communism and communist threats of war out of the United States, but these policies created much fear among the American people regarding Soviet bombing and communist spies. One of these frightening policies was McCarthyism, started by US Senator Joseph McCarthy, which involved blaming innocent people for communist activity in America, and President Eisenhower did not end this blaming of innocent American citizens . Eisenhower states in Document A that investigators implementing McCarthyism or working for groups such as HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee) were spreading hysteria among Americans because they feared spies and deception, and were accused as such by those who implemented McCarthyism. . The paranoia of being seen or blamed for being a communist caused a lot of conformity among Americans in order to appear "normal", as well as a return to religion and traditional family values. Desp...... middle of paper......detrimental. Eisenhower's MAD programs and the tolerance of McCarthyism were detrimental to life in America, as they increased fear and had minimal effects on the fight against communism abroad. The brinkmanship was helpful in avoiding war with the Soviet Union, but also increased domestic fear of bombs and death, while Eisenhower's creation of national highways was a huge economic and social benefit. travel for Americans back home, while providing a means to fight. Communism through the transportation of weapons and the use of fighter jet runways. Finally, Eisenhower's creation of NASA and the National Defense Education Act were effective in creating and educating on space and scientific technology to oppose the Soviets, while his spending on missile programs was allowed the research and production of weapons to combat communism in times of war. against the Soviet Union.