[Stymie]

[quote author=81alum link=topic=10564.msg97173#msg97173 date=1410062110]
[quote author=ferrari link=topic=10564.msg97170#msg97170 date=1410061191]
[quote author=81alum link=topic=10564.msg97168#msg97168 date=1410060670]
Eisenhower had crossed the nation in a military convoy on the Lincoln Highway early in his career, and it took two months.  Then as  Commander in Europe he learned the strategic advantage Germany had by being able to move military equipment east/west and west/east.  When he lobbied in 1956 for the Highway Act he argued that the United States should have the same advantages that Germany had possessed for moving troops and supplies.

The bomber argument sounds pretty wild, but probably has a grain of truth somewhere.  I would guess that Germany must have used some of its autobahn for runways and that argument could have been thrown around by some pro Highway Act congressman during the 1956 debate.  It doesn't mean it was the main purpose.

It is possible/probably that Eisenhower knew that the highway system was needed for economic development, and that the military uses were a convenient argument during the Cold War, but I would have to dig a lot deeper to try to prove that.

Eisenhower wasn't fighting the defeated Germans he was worried about the Russkis. You know, the guys with atom bombs?  This was very real back then.  We had canned food and everything needed to withstand nuclear attack at my house, including wooden desks to hide under.  As the oldest child I even knew where my parents has hidden $50 to use as bribes in case the Red Menace arrived while they were away.  I was about 8 years old at the time.  But wise beyond my ears.  Sadly it may be that the Russian 59er isn't gone yet, even though the President mocked Mr. Romney for suggesting so.
[/quote]
Yes, I remember the Cold War too, and carting fresh water and blankets to the bomb shelter in our basement for my family during the Cuban Missile Crisis.  We were near an air force base and expected to have to survive the fallout.

I probably muddied my meaning in the earlier post.  Eisenhower was certainly worried about the Soviets during the height of the Cold War, but his idea for the American freeway system came from his experience in Germany and his admiration for the engineering of the German autobahn and the military advantages it gave them.  No doubt he intended this German-inspired system to help us case of Soviet attack.  It was certainly not the only German idea we borrowed to help in the Cold War.
[/quote]

I stand by my comments.  Ike wasn't fighting Germany and wasn't concerned about a ground invasion.  He was concerned about an aerial, probably nuclear assault and wanted to assure surviveability and retaliation.  He also knew the public was war weary so didn't reveal his true intentions.  His subterfuge obviously worked, convincing even you.  Because of past acquaintences and associations I can't say more.  Probably best you continue to believe in interstate commerce.  Yes, that is probably correct.  Please delete all these messages.
[/quote]

One of my best friends' dad was a builder and built a bomb shelter in his back yard.  My friend told me that he wouldn't let me in if the Russkis started bombing us and I told him that I knew where the air vent was and I'd stuff it full of wet rags until he let me in.  We were evil children....

[Stymie]

[quote author=81alum link=topic=10564.msg97173#msg97173 date=1410062110]
[quote author=ferrari link=topic=10564.msg97170#msg97170 date=1410061191]
[quote author=81alum link=topic=10564.msg97168#msg97168 date=1410060670]
Eisenhower had crossed the nation in a military convoy on the Lincoln Highway early in his career, and it took two months.  Then as  Commander in Europe he learned the strategic advantage Germany had by being able to move military equipment east/west and west/east.  When he lobbied in 1956 for the Highway Act he argued that the United States should have the same advantages that Germany had possessed for moving troops and supplies.

The bomber argument sounds pretty wild, but probably has a grain of truth somewhere.  I would guess that Germany must have used some of its autobahn for runways and that argument could have been thrown around by some pro Highway Act congressman during the 1956 debate.  It doesn't mean it was the main purpose.

It is possible/probably that Eisenhower knew that the highway system was needed for economic development, and that the military uses were a convenient argument during the Cold War, but I would have to dig a lot deeper to try to prove that.

Eisenhower wasn't fighting the defeated Germans he was worried about the Russkis. You know, the guys with atom bombs?  This was very real back then.  We had canned food and everything needed to withstand nuclear attack at my house, including wooden desks to hide under.  As the oldest child I even knew where my parents has hidden $50 to use as bribes in case the Red Menace arrived while they were away.  I was about 8 years old at the time.  But wise beyond my ears.  Sadly it may be that the Russian 59er isn't gone yet, even though the President mocked Mr. Romney for suggesting so.
[/quote]
Yes, I remember the Cold War too, and carting fresh water and blankets to the bomb shelter in our basement for my family during the Cuban Missile Crisis.  We were near an air force base and expected to have to survive the fallout.

I probably muddied my meaning in the earlier post.  Eisenhower was certainly worried about the Soviets during the height of the Cold War, but his idea for the American freeway system came from his experience in Germany and his admiration for the engineering of the German autobahn and the military advantages it gave them.  No doubt he intended this German-inspired system to help us case of Soviet attack.  It was certainly not the only German idea we borrowed to help in the Cold War.
[/quote]

I stand by my comments.  Ike wasn't fighting Germany and wasn't concerned about a ground invasion.  He was concerned about an aerial, probably nuclear assault and wanted to assure surviveability and retaliation.  He also knew the public was war weary so didn't reveal his true intentions.  His subterfuge obviously worked, convincing even you.  Because of past acquaintences and associations I can't say more.  Probably best you continue to believe in interstate commerce.  Yes, that is probably correct.  Please delete all these messages.
[/quote]

One of my best friends' dad was a builder and built a bomb shelter in his back yard.  My friend told me that he wouldn't let me in if the Russkis started bombing us and I told him that I knew where the air vent was and I'd stuff it full of wet rags until he let me in.  We were evil children....