Eisenhower's Ideology in World War II

Abstract

Eisenhower's antifascist sentiments were first expressed nearly one and one-half years into the war in response to a specific incident. His more basic ideological commitment, expressed throughout the war, was to voluntary self-restraint and obedience to duty, which he called the first tenet of his religion, as the foundation of social order. His apocalyptic view of the war was based on a dualism that pitted the selfish against the selfless. He saw the war largely as a spiritual struggle within the Allied camp between these two forces. Civilians as well as soldiers were exhorted to sacrifice personal interests for the sake of total mobilization, which meant exercising the virtue of selflessness. When he eventually expressed opposition to fascism, he interpreted fascism as a manifestation of selfishness and social disorder. This ideological foundation is vital for understanding Eisenhower's views and policies as president, including his attitude toward the military-industrial complex.