Khrushchev's view of Kennedy

Impact: Khrushchev's View of Kennedy

Introduction

The Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 was a defining moment in the Cold War, putting the world on the brink of nuclear conflict. An important factor that contributed to the crisis was the relationship and perceptions that the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union had of each other. This lesson will explore Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev's views on U.S. President John F. Kennedy and analyze how these opinions might have influenced the events of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The Initial Meeting: Vienna Summit 1961

When Nikita Khrushchev and John F. Kennedy first met at the Vienna Summit in June 1961, their discussions ranged from the situation in Berlin to the Bay of Pigs invasion. Kennedy later mentioned feeling bullied during the summit, while Khrushchev viewed Kennedy as an inexperienced leader. Khrushchev even went as far as to lie about Soviet military capabilities, falsely claiming to have a greater number of nuclear missiles than they actually did.

Age and Experience

Khrushchev, who became the Soviet Premier in 1953 at the age of 59, saw Kennedy as a young and unseasoned politician. By the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis, Khrushchev was 68 and Kennedy was 45. This age and perceived experience gap might have led Khrushchev to think that Kennedy would not dare to counter Soviet actions in Cuba.

Pressure on Kennedy

During his election campaign, Kennedy had taken a strong anti-communist stance, and he faced immense pressure to uphold this stance from anti-communist factions within the U.S. Khrushchev likely believed that these pressures would limit Kennedy's ability to back down from any form of Soviet aggression.

Berlin and the Wall

One of Khrushchev's key objectives during the Vienna Summit was to force the withdrawal of American troops from Berlin. He even threatened to sign a new treaty with East Germany that would end the post-World War II agreement between the U.S. and the USSR. When the Berlin Wall was erected in August 1961, Kennedy took no action to prevent it, possibly leading Khrushchev to believe that a similar non-response would occur in Cuba.

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Khrushchev's view of Kennedy

Domestic Distractions for Kennedy

Kennedy was embroiled in various domestic issues, from civil rights tensions to economic problems, which included a recession and a significant drop in stock market values. Khrushchev might have seen these issues as either a distraction that would keep Kennedy from focusing on Cuba or as potential triggers that might push Kennedy into taking decisive action to bolster his standing.

Space Race Impact

The Soviet Union's achievements in space technology, including sending Yuri Gagarin into space in 1961, made Americans uneasy about falling behind. Kennedy's promise to send a man to the moon was seen as a direct response to Soviet advancements.

Double-Edged Sword of Domestic Issues

While Khrushchev thought Kennedy's domestic woes might distract him from international matters, he also recognized the possibility that Kennedy might take a strong stance against the Soviets in Cuba to mitigate those domestic problems and enhance his leadership image.

Conclusion

Khrushchev's view of Kennedy as a young and inexperienced leader heavily influenced his actions leading up to the Cuban Missile Crisis. He believed he could outmaneuver Kennedy on the international stage, but he also recognized the complexities of domestic American politics. Understanding this dynamic helps shed light on why the Cuban Missile Crisis unfolded the way it did, offering a glimpse into how individual perceptions can influence world events.