Changes

In the '''midterm election of 1958''', the [[Democratic Party]] gained 49 seats in the [[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.

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.

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.