Boy wonder vs. the grandmaster
Vienna Congress - 1961
The cartoon was drawn by Victor Weisz and published in the New Statesman date unknown (retrieved from: http://smurfswacker.blogspot.com/2012_08_01_archive.html)
In June of 1961 President John F. Kennedy met with Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev for the first time in Vienna in hopes of easing tensions between the East and the West. Khrushchev, on the other hand, planned on intimidating Kennedy because of his lack of experience and the recent failed invasion of Cuba at the Bay of Pigs. He brazenly threatened the U.S. with possible war in hopes that Kennedy would back down. Discussion between the two leaders centered on the growing tensions between the nations over Cuba and Berlin and the merits of capitalism versus communism. Despite the tensions between the two leaders during the meetings, it was evident that both men understood the notion that the fate of their own nations security was intertwined with the others. Several days after their meetings in Vienna, it was reported that the Soviet Official Party reported that Khrushchev said, "after we had exchanged few sentences or important matters, and as talks continued, I revised my original estimate. He (Kennedy) is tough, very forthright and extremely intelligent. I hope to meet him again, although he is not an easy man to talk to."
In June of 1961 President John F. Kennedy met with Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev for the first time in Vienna in hopes of easing tensions between the East and the West. Khrushchev, on the other hand, planned on intimidating Kennedy because of his lack of experience and the recent failed invasion of Cuba at the Bay of Pigs. He brazenly threatened the U.S. with possible war in hopes that Kennedy would back down. Discussion between the two leaders centered on the growing tensions between the nations over Cuba and Berlin and the merits of capitalism versus communism. Despite the tensions between the two leaders during the meetings, it was evident that both men understood the notion that the fate of their own nations security was intertwined with the others. Several days after their meetings in Vienna, it was reported that the Soviet Official Party reported that Khrushchev said, "after we had exchanged few sentences or important matters, and as talks continued, I revised my original estimate. He (Kennedy) is tough, very forthright and extremely intelligent. I hope to meet him again, although he is not an easy man to talk to."
Questions to consider:
- Why did Nikita Khrushchev feel that he could bully or intimidate President Kennedy?
- Who are the people standing behind President Kennedy and Soviet Premiere Khrushchev?
- What does the book "Chess in 100 Days" Symbolize?