Eisenhower's Farewell Address: Section III Summary

America Stands for Everything Good in a Hostile World

  • Ike affirms the classic ideals of American government: peace, progress, liberty, dignity, integrity.
  • He thinks that this is just what "religious" (read: Christian) and free (read: capitalist) people ought to stand for.
  • Ike says that if these ideals are betrayed by pride, ignorance, or selfishness, both America and the world will suffer.
  • Now Ike gets to the Cold War rhetoric. America's ideals are in danger from Communism. A Communism that's godless, sneaky, and which will stop at nothing to spread its tentacles around the world.
  • There's no end in sight to this conflict, Ike sadly admits.
  • And so Americans have to be ready to shoulder the burden of a constant struggle against Communist tyranny.
  • Only if Americans are ready to do that, Ike says, will world peace stand a chance.
  • There will always be crises and flashpoints, Ike again sadly admits.
  • But we shouldn't give ourselves over to some flashy miracle cure or quick fix.
  • Ike is all about balance, balance, balance.
  • He thinks the U.S. and its government have mostly done a good job, but warns of new threats on the horizon.
  • He says he's going to only mention two, but it seems to us that he mentions three. We'll let it slide this time, Mr. President/Supreme Commander/Duckpin.