The 1959 Kitchen Debate

Nikita Khrushchev and Richard Nixon Tour in American Exhibition
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Kitchens in home models usually are not places where renowned leaders debate their issues. However, this is what precisely occurred 50 years ago in 1959 July when soviet leader Khrushchev and United states’ vice president Nixon engaged in hot arguments while they made their tour in the kitchen model of United States National Exhibition in Moscow (Richmond, 2009). It was a grand opening ceremony of the U.S National Exhibition in Moscow when Khrushchev and Nixon argued about communism and capitalism issues. The argument was identified as “Kitchen Debate”, which turned to be one of the great events of the Cold War.
The U.S and the Soviet Union came into agreement during late 1958 to create national exhibitions in their countries as aspects of their new program aiming to promote cultural exchange. In June 1959, the Soviet Union exhibition was launched in New York City whereas in July 1959, the U.S exhibition was launched in Moscow at Sokolniki Park. On 24th July, prior the Moscow exhibition was launched officially to the public, Nixon was the host welcoming the Soviet Union leader at U.S exhibition at Sokolniki Park (Bardin, 2015). Khrushchev’s temper started to flare as they two were in the process of touring the exhibition. As Nixon showed new U.S color television sets and kitchenware devices through demonstration, Khrushchev started his attacks on the famous “Captive Nations Resolution” that the U.S congress passed recent few days before. Such a resolution criticized the Soviet Union’s move for controlling the “Captive” persons of Eastern Europe; the resolution further requested all American citizens to send their prayers so that deliverance of these people may come possible. After Khrushchev condemned the resolution, he scorned at the American technology on display, justifying that the Soviet Union would own the same kind of domestic devices and gadgets within a few years (Richmond, 2009). Nixon was not afraid of engaging in arguments; he provoked Khrushchev by claiming that the Russian leader feared engaging real talks and did not know everything. Khrushchev broke out with Nixon saying that Nixon did not know anything regarding communism, but simply feared it.
While a small number of photographers and reporters were following the two, Khrushchev and Nixon went on with their debate in the kitchen model of the American exhibition. As their fingers continued pointing at things and their voices increasing, the two leaders continued arguing at one another (Richmond, 2009). Nixon clarified that Khrushchev’s persistent threats of making use of nuclear missiles could result into dangerous war. Nixon also rebuked Khrushchev for continuously disrupting him while he was talking. Khrushchev took Nixon’s words as threats, and warned Nixon of very dangerous consequences. Khrushchev perhaps felt that the exchange had moved out of the proportion; he stated that he simply required peace to prevail with all other countries particularly United States. Nixon foolishly replied that he had not given his visitor a good hos...