When Dwight Eisenhower or Ike, as he was universally known, was elected the 34th President of the United States in 1952,

the American people weren't exactly sure who they had voted for. He ran as a Republican, but was he a conservative, a moderate, a liberal?

Ultimately, it didn't really matter. The decorated World War II general who had waged war now promised to wage peace.

And the voters trusted he would keep that promise.

Their trust was not misplaced.

His first major act as President was to resolve the conflict in Korea

that had begun in 1950 and cost America 36,000 lives. Here's how he did it. He made it

clear to the Chinese North Korea's patron that if they didn't agree to a ceasefire, he would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons.

Soon after, an agreement was reached, drawing a line between North and South Korea at the 38th parallel.

That agreement stands to this day.

Would Eisenhower have actually followed through on his threat?

We'll never know, but that was the whole point.

After Ike made peace in Korea, Eisenhower biographer Gene Smith wrote,

not a single American died in combat for the next eight years.

Throughout his time in office he was urged to use American military power to resolve conflicts

and for eight years he resisted. In 1953, the French wanted him to come in on their side in Vietnam.

In 1955, Chang Kaishek, the ruler of Taiwan, wanted America's help to take on Communist China.

In 1956, the Hungarians wanted him to back their revolt against Soviet rule.

Each supplicant made a good case for American intervention. Each time Eisenhower refused to commit American troops.

If he didn't see a clear path to victory, their risk in his mind was greater than the reward.

And even though he said he was prepared to use nuclear weapons, he greatly feared their destructive power.

To that end, he sought a treaty with the Soviets to end the arms race.

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