Final answer:
President Eisenhower wanted to depend on nuclear weapons instead of traditional military approaches to war because of their cost-efficiency, the strategy of nuclear deterrence, and his military background.
Step-by-step explanation:
President Eisenhower wanted to depend on nuclear weapons instead of traditional military approaches to war due to multiple factors. Firstly, Eisenhower believed that maintaining a large conventional military force would be financially burdensome and preferred the economic efficiency of maintaining a nuclear arsenal. Secondly, the strategy of nuclear deterrence, also known as massive retaliation, was seen by Eisenhower as a way to prevent Soviet aggression by threatening a devastating nuclear response. Finally, Eisenhower's military background and reputation as a military hero may have influenced his decisions regarding national defense.