At the start of Eisenhower's first term, what method did the United States rely on to gather intelligence before reconnaissance satellites existed?

• A. Drones flown out of West Germany and Japan.
• B. Special teams of human agents.
• C. High altitude balloons and aircraft.
• D. Listening posts in Alaska and northern Canada.

Answer: (C)

The main method was overhead reconnaissance from the air—high‑altitude balloons and manned aircraft. Before satellites, balloons could carry imaging gear and drift over large areas to photograph and gather intelligence, while specialized aircraft flew at extreme altitudes to capture imagery and signals from behind enemy lines. This combination provided the best available wide‑area view of Soviet and allied activity at the time. Drones weren’t yet a practical tool for strategic reconnaissance, and fixed listening posts or human espionage existed but didn’t offer the broad overhead coverage that balloons and aircraft provided.