State Historical Society of Iowa
Courtesy of Library of Congress, "President Eisenhower meeting Khrushchev" 1959
The image captures Soviet leader Khrushchev greeted by President Eisenhower prior to Khrushchev's departure from Blair House after Khrushchev's historic visit. The historic meeting was the first time a Soviet leader had been invited for an official visit to the White House. Khrushchev took leadership of Soviet Russia months after Eisenhower took office. The Soviet leader's declarations of "peaceful coexistence" were a departure from his predecessor Stalin's rhetoric. However, initially still involved in the Korean Conflict neither side looked toward diplomacy until the beginning of the Space Race. Initially, Eisenhower reached out to discuss issues related to both countries regarding the space and arms race. Khrsuchev also wanted to find a common understanding. This opened the door to then Vice President Nixon's visit to Russia and his famous "kitchen debate" with Khruschev, yet throughout the visit mistrust on the part of both sides was clear. An example of this was the initial decline of sightseeing via helicopter by Khruschev who only changed his mind when he learned Eisenhower would be in the same helicopter. The hope of decreased tensions and planned visit by Eisenhower to the Kremlin ended with the shooting down of an American U-2 plane in Soviet airspace on May 1. 1960
Trikosko, Marion S, photographer. President Dwight Eisenhower greeting Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev on the steps of Blair House, Washington, D.C. during his visit to the United States in/ MST. Washington D.C, 1959. Courtesy of Library of Congress Courtesy of Library of Congress
