To 21st-century eyes, Ike's "Farewell Address" can seem almost, well, naïve in its insistence on idealistic, virtuous American principles making the world a freer and more peaceful place. But whether you think American idealism is silly or essential, there's no denying that Ike was a principled dude.
You can see why Eisenhower thought people needed to be reminded of these principles from time to time. They'd been through two World Wars and were still sparring with the Soviets through proxy wars and technology competition. Soldiers came home from the war, started families, and began a nationwide spending spree and accumulating stuff in hopes of chasing the American dream. It was easy to forget why we fought those wars and how much still hung in the balance.
Ike himself had been in the thick of all of it. Whether he was commanding armies, heading up a multi-national military alliance, or serving as President, there was always some serious flak coming his way. Grounding himself in some solid principles seems like a good way to stay sane and keep his eyes on the prize.
Questions About Principles
- Do you think Ike's principles/vision of America are sensible? Too idealistic?
- How well has America lived up to the principles Eisenhower outlines in this address? Were there certain times in its history when it did particularly well living up to them? When it did particularly poorly?
- If you had to condense this speech into a bumper sticker, which principles would make the cut?
Chew on This
Ike gave this speech because he felt he hadn't succeeded in following his principles, particularly securing the peace.
The principles Ike outlined are well-intentioned but ultimately impossible to put into practice.