Eisenhower , who had first become famous for his military leadership in World War II , remained widely popular . A heart attack in 1955 provoked speculation that he would not seek a second term , but Eisenhower 's health recovered and he was unopposed at the 1956 Republican National Convention . Stevenson remained popular with a core of liberal Democrats , but held no office and had no real base . He defeated Governor W. Averell Harriman and several other candidates on the first presidential ballot of the 1956 Democratic National Convention . Stevenson called for a significant increase in government spending on social programs and a decrease in military spending
1956 Democratic National Convention
1956 Democratic National Convention
1956 United States presidential election