TODAY in HISTORY (15 November): Nikita Khrushchev challenges United States to a missile “shooting match” in 1957
On 15 November 1957, Nikita Khrushchev, the Soviet leader challenged the United States to a missile “shooting match” to prove his opinion that America fell behind in the developing of long-range missiles.
In an interview on this day, with reporter Henry Shapiro, the United Press Moscow correspondent, ...
Khrushchev claimed that the Soviet Union missiles were superiority over those of the United States.
To prove his point he issued the challenge. His confidence was built on the successful launch of Sputnik I in October of the same year.
Khrushchev was a politician who led the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964 before he was removed and replaced by Leonid Brezhnev.
During the era of Stalin, Khrushchev was a loyal follower who participated in Stalin’s purges throughout the USSR. When in control he became a critic of Stalin’s policies and spearheaded the de-Stalinization of the Soviet Union. He backed the progress of the early Soviet space program and was very proud of the Russian achievements.
Khrushchev’s remarks hit a sensitive point in the American population and fuelled fears.
It came just a few days after the Gaither Report had been leaked to the press in the United States and which supported many of Khrushchev allegations. Critics of President Dwight D. Eisenhower went on the attack. It was also a major issue in the 1960 presidential campaign between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy.
Khrushchev’s pride reach a climax in 1962 with the Cuban Missile Crisis.
After America set-up missiles in Turkey and Italy, the Russian started doing the same in Cuba. Kennedy immediately created a military blockade to prevent further missiles from entering Cuba. After tough negotiations from both parties, the blockade was formally ended on 20 November 1962.
The negotiations also resulted in a direct communication line between Washington and Moscow which reduced a lot of tension during the following years.
Sources:
http://www.politico.com/story/2011/11/soviet-communist-party-chief-challengs-us-to-shooting-match-nov-15-1957-068310
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nikita-khrushchev-challenges-united-states-to-a-missile-shooting-match
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikita_Khrushchev