The “Special Message to Congress on National Security Requirements” delivered by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on January 13, 1955, outlines his administration’s comprehensive national security strategy during the early years of the Cold War. Eisenhower emphasizes the need to maintain a strong military deterrent, particularly through strategic nuclear capabilities, while simultaneously ensuring economic stability and avoiding excessive military spending that could endanger the nation’s fiscal health. He calls for a balanced approach—combining military preparedness, scientific advancement, industrial readiness, and civil defense—to protect the United States from both external threats and internal vulnerabilities. Eisenhower highlights the importance of alliances such as NATO, continued investment in research and development, and modernization of U.S. forces through improved technology and organization. He also stresses the necessity of maintaining a trained reserve and state defense structure to ensure homeland protection and continuity of government in the event of attack. The message concludes with a call for national unity and shared sacrifice, asserting that true security rests not only on arms but also on the moral strength, civic responsibility, and economic vitality of the American people.
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