Final answer:
Eisenhower was expected to be tougher on communism due to his military background and the era's Cold War climate. His brinkmanship strategy and New Look policy reflected a strong stance against communism. His credibility as a military leader enabled him to pursue a firm yet restrained approach without being considered soft on communism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Expectations of Eisenhower's Toughness on Communism
The people of the USA expected Dwight D. Eisenhower to be tougher on communism due to his military background and the prevailing Cold War sentiments. Eisenhower, a World War II hero, was anticipated to take a strong stance against communist expansion. This expectation was in the context of a period when accusations of being soft on Communism were common against those who questioned defense spending. Despite this, Eisenhower was not branded soft on Communism because of his strong military credentials and his presidency during a time of economic growth.
In addressing concerns of the spread of communism, Eisenhower employed a strategy known as brinkmanship, advocating a willingness to approach the edge of war to maintain peace. His Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles, believed that the Soviets needed to believe in the United States' readiness to use its nuclear arsenal. The New Look policy, which expanded the nuclear arsenal while controlling the defense budget, further demonstrated Eisenhower's commitment to a robust stance against communism without excessive military spending.
Eisenhower's actions, such as indirect involvement in removing Fidel Castro from power in Cuba and avoiding direct military engagements in places like Indochina and Hungary, showed a careful balance of toughness and restraint. His credible military background allowed him to pursue these strategies without domestic backlash, as domestic and international politics favored firm anti-communist policies post-World War II.