What was a key policy area tackled by Dwight D. Eisenhower during his presidency?

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During Dwight D. Eisenhower's presidency, one of the key policy areas he tackled was civil rights, particularly through his administration's responses to the growing demands for racial equality. Eisenhower's approach to civil rights was marked by a cautious yet significant engagement with the issues of the time. One of the most notable actions he took was the enforcement of the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which declared that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. To ensure compliance with this ruling, Eisenhower sent federal troops to Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957 to protect African American students as they integrated Central High School. This marked a crucial moment in the civil rights movement and demonstrated an acknowledgment by the federal government of its role in promoting and enforcing civil rights legislation, laying the groundwork for further advancements in the struggle for racial equality.

The other policy areas listed, while relevant to the era, were not as distinctly emphasized by Eisenhower’s administration as civil rights. Space exploration began to gain momentum later, particularly after the launch of Sputnik in 1957. Social Security reform saw limited reform during his presidency, mainly involving benefits adjustments rather than significant overhauls. Health care expansion, including initiatives like Medicare and Medicaid,

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