In 1959, at the invitation of President Eisenhower, the Premier (Leader) of the Soviet Union-Nikita Khrushchev-spent twelve days touring America. He visited farms, IBM headquarters and the White House...and lots of other places.
Interestingly, the place N.K. wanted to most visit was Disneyland in California but he was not allowed!
For this week's blog, spend some time on this website reading over the itinerary and details of N.K.'s trip to America. There are also some short clips at the bottom of the page you should watch that show him in action.
For the comment section...
1) If the Soviets were our biggest enemy during the Cold War, why did Eisenhower invite N.K. to visit? (100 words)
2) After watching the clips and reading through his itinerary, what is the most interesting part of this story to you? (100 words)
Even though the Soviets were our biggest enemy during the Cold War President Dwight D. Eisenhower still invited Nikita Khrushchev leader of the Soviet Union to visit the United States. Eisenhower invited N.K because he hoped to smooth things out with the handling of the Cold War and also be in peace with one another. President Eisenhower also may have invited Nikita Khrushchev to the United States because he wanted to come to an agreement with Nikita Khrushchev in order to attempt to end the Cold war and make things more peaceful between the Soviet Union and the U.S. (101)
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the clips and reading through this topic the most interesting part of this story to me was how Nikita Krushchev visited all these different places in our country and was actually treated with respect by Americans even though he was from the country that were our enemies. I also found it kind of interesting and funny how Nikita Krushchev wanted to go to Disneyland in California but at the last minute he was told he could not go because he would not be safe there which I kind of understand considering that he was an enemy and could have gotten killed. (103)
During the Cold War our biggest enemy was Russia but somehow we let their leader visit our country. The reason why we let the Russian leader come to the U.S. was because Eisenhower believed that the visit would encourage a respective understanding and help all the Cold War tension that was going on. Russian leader Nikita Khrushchev whole 12-day trip was planned out. Another reason he came was to visit president Eisenhower and to have a meeting to talk about the many issues they had with each other during the Cold War. The two leaders talks lasted a total of 2 days talking about big topics. (Word Count:108)
ReplyDeleteThe most interesting thing from this blog is that we even let this man high in power come to our country and visit and go to many big places around our country. First off we let him come even though we were at “war” with his country. I feel that while he was here anything could have happened and also it's very weird that he wanted to visit the U.S. Another thing is as I looked through the videos he seemed that he was really enjoying himself. Lastly, it is very weird that we let him come to visit the U.S.but we didn’t let him visit Disney land which is something he really wanted to do. (Word Count:119)
Nikita Khrushchev also known as NK wanted to have a look at America and wanted an invitation from President Dwight D Eisenhower. In July of 1959, shortly after NK had mentioned his wish to see America he received an invitation from to come to the states. Eisenhower and Khrushchev was hoping that the trip would help the Cold War tensions be resolved and create a mutual understanding. Although the Soviets was our biggest enemy, Khrushchev wanted to try and make amend. Khrushchev even said when thanking Eisenhower, “We have come to you with an open heart and with good intentions. The Soviet people want to live in peace and friendship with the American people.” (114)
ReplyDeleteThe most interesting part of Khrushchev’s itinerary is how he got so upset that he couldn’t go to Disneyland. Los Angeles policie, chief William Parker, says that Khrushchev’s safety wouldn’t be guaranteed. Khrushchev sent a note to Lodge and said that he was “most displeased” because he simply wouldn’t be able to go to Disneyland. Later in the day he gives a speech and at the end, after being so distraught this his trip was cancelled states, “Do you have rocket launching pads there? What is it? Is there an epidemic of cholera or plague there? Or have gangsters taken hold of the place that can destroy me? And I say I would very much like to go and see Disneyland. For me such a situation is inconceivable.” Who knew such a high and powerful man could get so sad just because he couldn’t go to Disneyland. (147)
1) If the Soviets were our biggest enemy during the Cold War, why did Eisenhower invite N.K. to visit?
ReplyDeleteThe reason behind the invitation and the visit of Nikita, is due to Eisenhower believing this could cool off the Cold War. “Both Eisenhower and Khrushchev hoped that the visit would foster a mutual understanding and potentially help thaw Cold War tensions.”[http://www.pbs.org]. Nikita had a twelve day trip ahead of him. This man was quite excited about it. Nikita was “curious to have a look at America”. Overall, since America and the Soviets weren't getting along, I think that this so called, "visit" was a good idea. "We have come to you with an open heart and with good intentions. The Soviet people want to live in peace and friendship with the American people."[Nikita] Our boundaries were crossed and so were theirs. It's like, this moment was a moment of middle ground between the Soviets and the U.S. (138)
2) After watching the clips and reading through his itinerary, what is the most interesting part of this story to you?
From what I have depicted from this article is that, Nikita had a very cramped chaotic schedule. For example, he was giving a speech for a little bit and right after his speech he made a 100 mile trip to visit with Eleanor Roosevelt. She states, "He enjoyed nothing. A man behind him all the time kept whispering, 'Seven minutes, seven minutes.'" Each day he spent in America was jammed packed, and sadly he couldn’t experience a trip to the lovely Disneyland in California. I thought that this was hilarious, he said: "Do you have rocket launching pads there? …What is it? Is there an epidemic of cholera or plague there? Or have gangsters taken hold of the place that can destroy me? And I say I would very much like to go and see Disneyland. For me such a situation is inconceivable."( “Inconceivable!!”-the man from the Princess Bride) Bless him. Lastly, I feel like he couldn’t fully embrace America due to his constant running around. (167)
1. N.K was already very interested in seeing what America really was. Though they were the United States biggest enemy during the Cold War, President Eisenhower thought it may help plant a mutual understanding and lower the tensions. However, this was done after N.K had tried several times to get an invitation and finally after careful reviewing and organizing of his itinerary he got an invitation to come. When N.K arrived in the United States he gave a speech thanking President Eisenhower and saying he hoped it’d “give understanding between the two nations.” He also claimed that the Soviet people wanted peace with the United States and the people within the United states. (113)
ReplyDelete2. One part that just really made me laugh was where N.K said the pigs were too fat and the turkeys were too small. It is interesting to see his expectations even for things like animals in America. He also got to meet and be toured by Eleanor Roosevelt! I thought that was awesome. He could not go to Disneyland because apparently his safety at the theme park was not guaranteed. N.K even went on one tour where he was most impressed by the cafeteria. Overall these were my favorite parts of his trip to the United States. I think it was very awesome and mature that President Eisenhower and N.K could meet and try to have a mutual understanding. (119)
1. President Eisenhower invited Nikita Khrushchev to visit the United States. The Soviets were our biggest enemy. Eisenhower hoped that this invitation and meeting would help bring peace and understanding to calm the ‘Cold War tensions.’ Nikita Khrushchev was determined to make a good impression and be intimidating. He flew to the United States in a plane that wasn’t even stable. N.K. said in his arrival speech, “We have come to you with an open heart and with good intentions. The Soviet people want to live in peace and friendship with the American people." He and Eisenhower mostly had the same intentions. (101)
ReplyDelete2. Nikita Khrushchev’s attitude was very sour. He didn’t want to compliment America in any way. Eleanor Roosevelt took him on a small tour and afterwards she said, "He enjoyed nothing. A man behind him all the time kept whispering, 'Seven minutes, seven minutes.” He seemed very unenthusiastic about everything. He later said,” I had no opportunity of coming into contact with the ordinary people, the workers, who are the backbone of the life of the city, the producers of its wealth.” He was angry when they wouldn’t let him go to Disneyland. "Do you have rocket launching pads there? …What is it? Is there an epidemic of cholera or plague there? Or have gangsters taken hold of the place that can destroy me? And I say I would very much like to go and see Disneyland. For me such a situation is inconceivable.” This quote shows just how sassy and grumpy he really was. Although, he did say one nice thing after trying a hotdog, “We have beaten you to the moon, but you have beaten us in sausage making." I found all of these things interesting because he came to America hopeful of a “friendship” type deal, but he didn’t want to show kindness. (206)
Khrushchev had come to power in the Soviet Union after the death of Josef Stalin in 1953. He denounced the “excesses” that occurred under Stalin and declared that he sought “peaceful coexistence” with the United States. On his first day in America Khrushchev’s and the president ate dinner. Why talking Eisenhower said, “Because of our importance in the world, it is vital that we understand each other better.” Khrushchev responded by saying that friendship was necessary “because our two countries are much too strong and we cannot quarrel with each other.” They made a lot of progress in the most important area, and of the human understanding of each other. The first glimmers of trust became visible. (117)
ReplyDelete2. One of my favorite parts about the article is when Khrushchev remarks on a sign he saw stating, "We don't agree with you on many questions, but we welcome you." Khrushchev calls it "a sensible slogan."I thought it was very funny. And the fact that why they were there Garst and Khrushchev were followed by what Khrushchev later referred to as, "an enormous army of journalists, photographers, and movie camera operators." (84)