Discuss the reasons for, and characteristics of, Eisenhower’s New Look policy.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the reasons for and characteristics of Eisenhower’s New Look policy. Causes/reasons may predate the timeframe but they must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. Candidates may offer equal coverage of the reasons for and characteristics of the policy, or they may prioritize their discussion of either. However, both aspects will be a feature of the response. As to reasons, candidates may refer to the rising costs of conventional warfare, concerns over inflation and deficits, and the corrupting nature of the military–industrial complex (as expressed in Eisenhower’s farewell address). As to characteristics, candidates may develop the reduction of conventional forces, the expansion of the air force and the Strategic Air Command (SAC), the emerging ballistic missile programme, as well as the increased use of covert operations (for example in Guatemala).

The question required candidates to offer a considered and balanced review of the reasons for and characteristics of Eisenhower’s New Look policy. Quite a few candidates wrote on the topic, but with varying levels of relevance. While there were responses of good quality, many narrated events of the Eisenhower foreign policy era, concentrating on general Cold War events, rather than accurately defining the New Look or addressing reasons for the change in policy.