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Line 1: − In the '''midterm election of 1958''', the [[Democratic Party]] gained 49 seats in the [[U.S. House of Representatives]] and 16 seats in the [[U.S. Senate]] from the [[Republican Party]], cementing their majorities. Democrats also picked up six governorships and 686 state legislative seats.+ − − Democrats had a narrow majority in both Houses of Congress, while there was a [[Conservative Coalition]] between [[Republican]]s and southern Democrats. Following his landslide reelection in 1956, the aging [[President Eisenhower]]'s popularity began to wane. The deep 1957-1958 [[recession]] and anger amoung organized labor because of right-to-work laws led to strong Democratic gains that arguably paved the way for the [[Great Society]]. Democrats also attacked Republicans for desegregating public schools. Eisenhower's credibility was further weakened by the [[Soviet Union]]'s launch of ''[[Sputnik]]'', and Republicans found themselves on defence. − − Republicans never came close to regaining control of the House until 1994 and the Senate until 1980. − − Despite Democrat [[John F. Kennedy]]'s presidential victory over [[Richard M. Nixon]], Democrats still lost 20 House seats in 1960. − − [[category:Politics]] − [[category:Republican Party]] − [[category:Democratic Party]]
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