Eisenhower, Dwight D.

A general and political leader of the twentieth century. As supreme commander in Europe of the forces of the Allies during World War II, he directed the invasion of Normandy on D-Day and led in the overthrow of the Nazi government of Germany. He later organized the military forces of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. In 1952, his popularity was so high that both the Democrats and the Republicans wanted him for a presidential candidate; he chose the Republicans. “I Like Ike” was a popular slogan of his campaigns. He defeated the Democratic candidate, Adlai Stevenson, in both 1952 and 1956. In office, he negotiated the end of the Korean War and generally pursued moderate policies. His years as president were marked by increasing prosperity at home, although the cold war with the Soviet Union continued abroad. Richard Nixon was Eisenhower's vice president.