Introduction As president Eisenhower used many of the strengths that had served him so well as a general during World War II 6
After a long Army career Dwight D Eisenhower advanced rapidly through the ranks at the beginning of World War II thanks to his leadership skills and ability to get along with everyone These same quali ties served him well in his second career as a politician and two-term president of the United States During World War II Eisenhower became one of the most successful commanders in history He directed three successful inva sions of North Africa Italy and France that turned the tide of the war and hastened the Allies victory on the European front After the war the five-star general added to his mil itary reputation through his work as Army chief of staff Later he became the first head of the armies of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization NATO Turning to politics in 1952 Eisenhower proved to be a successful commander in that field also After winning the Republican nomination for president he overwhelmingly defeated the Democratic candidate Adlai E Stevenson He thus became the 34th president of the United States and the first Republican president in 20 years 7
