The American National Exhibition in Russia in 1959 was a diplomatic failure.
It was during the heart of the Cold War. Nuclear war seemed imminent, or, at the very least, likely. And so, in 1958, the United States and Soviet Russia decided that they should, at the very least, learn about one another’s culture.
If they were honest, both countries wanted a chance to show off — it was a contest over who was better off.
The U.S.–Soviet Cultural Agreement required that both countries host an exhibit in the opposing country featuring cultural practices and living standards, and so, on July 24, 1959, then–Vice President Richard Nixon and his wife found themselves in a model American home in Moscow, Russia, playing host to Nikita Khrushchev.
Khrushchev had decided he had no intention of being a pleasant guest — he was determined to find fault with everything.
Lemon squeezers?
Useless, declared Khrushchev. Just squeeze the lemons by hand.
Color TVs?
The U.S. Congress had ticked Khrushchev off when it passed the Captive Nations Resolution just days before. He informed Nixon that, no, the Russian government didn’t enslave Eastern Europeans and didn’t need American citizens’ prayers for their deliverance.
Dishwashers and microwaves?
Meh. Khrushchev assured Nixon that Russia would outpace the United States within a few years: “This is what America is capable of, and how long has she existed? 300 years? 150 years of independence, and this is her level. We haven’t quite reached 42 years, and in another seven years, we’ll be at the level of America, and after that, we’ll go farther.”
Of course, Nixon wasn’t going to take Khrushchev’s comments quietly. While an army of media personnel followed them, he told the Russian leader that he should “not be afraid of ideas…. After all, you don’t know everything.” Khrushchev shot back, “You know absolutely nothing about Communism, except for fear!”
With their voices raised and their fingers pointing, the debate in the model kitchen became increasingly heated. Nixon warned that Khrushchev’s nuclear threats could lead to war, and Khrushchev warned him that there would be “very bad consequences.”
Khrushchev later admitted that he was impressed by the vice president’s strong will. Nixon observed that he hadn’t been the best of hosts.
Meanwhile, the American media was having a heyday with the footage. It was front-page news and was broadcast across the U.S. (and later Russia, although it was late at night and Nixon’s remarks were only partially translated). The New York Times accurately pointed out that the exchange had emphasized the gulf between the U.S. and Russia — but that it had little substantive value.
In many ways, the “Kitchen Debate” was nothing more than a political stunt — but it was one that made Nixon incredibly popular and contributed to his win in the Republican primaries the following year.
This article originally appeared on Aubrey’s substack, Pilgrim’s Way, on July 23, 2023.
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