1952

Dwight D. Eisenhower and the 1952 map

World War II hero Dwight Eisenhower ended 20 years of Democratic presidential rule with a decisive victory over Illinois Governor Adlai Stevenson. 'Ike' appealed across party lines as a non-partisan national hero, and his promise to 'go to Korea' — resolving the unpopular Korean War — resonated powerfully. The election also saw the first extensive use of television campaign advertising. Richard Nixon's 'Checkers speech' on television saved his spot on the ticket after a campaign finance controversy.