U2 Crisis (speech) Flashcards
What was the spy plane spying for?
To see the potential missile gap between the superpowers.
What is the significance of Khrushchev saying Eisenhower should apologise?
Eisenhower lied claiming it was a weather plane that drifted into Soviet airspace even though Khrushchev had the pilot Gary Powers and there was clear evidence that it was a spy plane.
What is the irony behind Khrushchev saying he wants peaceful coexistence?
He sent tanks to Hungary in 1956 and killed 4000 when there was an uprising.
What does Khrushchev mean when he says mankind will be doomed to war which would be a disaster for all?
Either a nuclear war where both America and USSR have nuclear weapons that could completely obliterate the other- MAD.
Or a traditional war where military alliances like NATO (1949) and Warsaw Pact (1955) could fight against each other.
What is the significance of Khrushchev saying this?
Shows that he wants to put the blame on the USA and make himself and the SU look good. It also gives him an excuse to walk out of the Paris Peace Summit where the blame is still on USA.
What is significant about it being a speech?
He wants to manipulate the rest of the world to blame USA and he is willing to use propaganda to do so.
What is the significance of it being from May 1960?
It was from May 1960 around the time when the plane had been shot down and Eisenhower was refusing to apologise- likely before the Summit which suggests he is giving America a chance to make things right.
What is the purpose of the speech?
To make America look bad so people would blame them if a nuclear or traditional war broke out.
What is the source useful for?
Showed that Khrushchev had the upper hand and wants the world to entirely blame the USA.
