Portrait of Nikita Khrushchev
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Nikita Khrushchev on United States

Competitive coexistence (strong) Position evolved

TL;DR

Nikita Khrushchev viewed the United States as a primary global competitor whose capitalist system he pledged would ultimately be superseded by communism.

Key Points

  • He argued for "peaceful coexistence" as the official Soviet foreign policy toward the capitalist West following the Twentieth Party Congress in February 1956.

  • During his 1959 trip, he showed significant interest in American agriculture, particularly hybrid corn and efficient farming methods in Iowa.

  • He publicly sparred with critics, such as movie studio head Spyros Skouras, and became famously angered when denied access to Disneyland on September 19, 1959.

Summary

Nikita Khrushchev's position toward the United States was characterized by a complex mixture of ideological hostility and practical engagement, often described as "peaceful coexistence." Following Stalin's death, he advocated moving away from the inevitability of military conflict with the West, asserting that Communism would ultimately triumph through historical processes rather than direct war. This sentiment was evident during his 1959 state visit, where he sought to observe American life, particularly its agricultural sector, while simultaneously engaging in sharp debates defending the Soviet system against capitalist assertions. He often used moments of tension, such as being barred from Disneyland or confronting critics, to reiterate Soviet strength and challenge American superiority, yet he also expressed a desire for better mutual understanding and disarmament talks with the President.

His historical stance evolved from rigid opposition to a more nuanced strategy that included diplomatic exchanges, such as the 1959 trip, intended to ease Cold War tensions and demonstrate Soviet capabilities, for example, by presenting a replica of the Luna II probe. However, underlying this engagement was the firm belief that Communism was the scientifically based, inevitable successor to capitalism, a view he maintained even while professing a desire for peace. This inherent contradiction—promoting coexistence while declaring his system would ultimately win globally—created the dynamic of competitive engagement that defined his relations with the Americans.

Key Quotes

"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."

"we will bury you!"

"Communism will win in the whole world. This is scientifically based on the writings of Karl Marx, Engels, and Lenin."

Frequently Asked Questions

Nikita Khrushchev generally advocated for "peaceful coexistence" with the United States while remaining ideologically committed to the global victory of Communism over capitalism. This meant diplomatic engagement and competition across various fields, rather than accepting the status quo of confrontation. He believed history would prove the superiority of the Soviet system.

The relationship between Khrushchev and President Eisenhower was complex, marked by mutual suspicion but also efforts to de-escalate tensions. They achieved a degree of personal rapport during Eisenhower's visit to Camp David in September 1959, leading to informal agreements to talk rather than fight. However, this progress was fragile and later collapsed, notably after the U-2 incident in 1960.

The Soviet leader famously predicted that the Soviet Union would eventually "bury" capitalism, a statement he later tempered with declarations of peaceful rivalry. He often contrasted the socialist system's focus on state planning with what he saw as the exploitative nature of American capitalism, although he expressed admiration for certain aspects of American efficiency, like farm productivity.