Kitchen Debates

Remembering the U.S.A. And USSR Kitchen Debates of 1959 Before the bellicosity and belligerence exchanged by the United States of America (USA) and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in the 1960s -- an era known today as the "Cold War" -- the two recently emergent superpowers engaged in the delicate dance of diplomacy in the wake of their shared victory in World War II.

One of the most interesting examples of the doomed diplomatic efforts between American and Russian leaders was known as the "Kitchen Debates," as U.S. Vice President Richard Nixon and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev squared off in an often rancorous debate amidst a truly unique backdrop. On July 24th, 1959, the respective leaders of the world's dominant capitalist and communist economic powers met at the opening of the American National Exhibition -- which was held at Sokolniki Park at the U.S.

Embassy in Moscow as part of a 1958 agreement to emphasize mutually conducted cultural exchanges. After the Soviet exhibition was held in New York City in June of 1959, Nixon travelled to Moscow in the spirit of reciprocation, but it was evident from the humorous yet heated discussion with Khrushchev that reconciliation was a far less attainable goal.

Both Nixon and Khrushchev were notorious in their respective country's political arena for speaking bluntly and allowing their tempers to take control of the conversation -- and as the pair toured the exhibition's display of a "typical" modern American home kitchen, the stage was set for each man to engage in brash behavior and braggadocio.

By examining the actual transcripts of the Kitchen Debate and focusing on the childishly combative manner in which each man reacts to another, it is possible to gain a greater understanding as to how petty motivations and personal grievances can conspire to embroil nations in open warfare while threatening the world's collective welfare.

Despite their shared stature as key figures in the leadership apparatus of global superpowers which were increasingly at odds from a foreign relations perspective, both Nixon and Khrushchev made little effort to conceal their animosity and disdain for one another's worldview. The careful concealment of emotion that is typical to high-level diplomatic conferences was quickly abandoned by the infamously emotional leaders, and the result was a conversation which quickly devolved into a schoolyard-style confrontation between a bully and his upstart nemesis.

Immediately upon entering the American home kitchen exhibit Nixon points out a newly installed dishwashing machine, suggesting that Khrushchev may be impressed by the technological advancements made commonly available to American citizens. When the Soviet Premier expresses ambivalence to the machine, telling Nixon plainly that "We have such things," the capitalist representative responds with a salesman's bluster, while also levying a subtle critique of his communist counterpart's treatment of women, telling Khrushchev "This is our newest model.

This is the kind which is built in thousands of units for direct installations in the houses. In America, we like to make life easier for women" (1959).

The import of Nixon's borderline insulting statement should be considered in context, as modern scholars note that the "the American National Exhibition (ANEM) was the first Soviet mass encounter with America -- as America wanted itself to be seen -- on Soviet turf & #8230; (and) a transplanted slice of the American way of life emphasizing leisure, consumption, and domesticity & #8230; offering Soviet viewers a kind of virtual day trip to America in the heart of Moscow" (Reid 856).

By openly touting American achievements in the realm of household technology -- while subtly taunting the communist economic engine's allegedly substandard treatment of women -- Nixon challenges his rival by suggesting that Russian visitors to the exhibition will invariably become enamored with the American ideals of comfort and convenience.

Considering the rhetorical strategies being pursued by both the American and Russian governments at this time -- in which each nation aggressively defended the virtues of either capitalism or communism, largely in an effort to justify further imperialistic expansion -- the tone of Nixon's comments while visiting Moscow is understandable.

An increasingly defiant Khrushchev references his most audacious Soviet policy ambitions, "his Seven-Year Plan for economic development & #8230; introduced in 1958 in the midst of depression & #8230; in which the Soviet Union intended to overtake the United States in an arena in which it had previously enjoyed full dominance" (Jakabovics 3), seemingly provoking Nixon to respond in kind.

When the Soviet Premier dismissively observes the construction of the American National Exhibition before proclaiming to the Vice President that "we haven't quite reached 42 years, and in another 7 years, we'll be at the level of America, and after that we'll go farther" (1959), his explicit mention of the Seven-Year Plan is intended to act as a both a veiled threat and an ominous warning. When Nixon coolly rebuffs Khrushchev's boast, reminding him that in many fields of technology America still remained firmly entrenched on the cutting edge,.