1953-1956
The Montara Earthquake/Tsunami changed the face of California. Its huge waves deleted much of San Fransisco's waterfront. The earthquake itself could be felt inland as far as Sacramento and a far south as Salinas.The casualties were terrific and it caused a small economic slump in the country that lasted until 1955.
But the biggest effect of the earthquake was political. President Eisenhower response to the crisis was poor, and was followed by a parde of scandals and problems within the administration. Eisenhower had given many of his employees raises shortly after the earthquake,and his political opponents gleafully mocked his "lavishness". In 1955, Eisenhower suffered from a broken arm and leg after tripping down the White House stairs, which raised concerns about his poor health.Finally, Eisenhowers failure to integrate the US enraged northerners, and southerners disliked his attemps to integrate.(1) In short, the president was unpopular and loathed by most Americans.
By 1956, it was apparent who would win the 1956 elections. Adlai Stevenson and his VP, Abraham Ribicoff, easily defeated Eisenhower and Nixon.
Stevenson/Ribicoff 306
Eisenhower/Nixon 224