The Hotline
Open Communications between the White House and the Kremlin
"It was nice talking to you Mr. khrush. Just a moment, daddy wants to say something"
The cartoon was drawn by John Frith and published on April 8, 1963 in the The Herald (retrieved from: http://frith.moadoph.gov.au/the-cartoons/)
After the near disaster of the Cuban Missile Crisis, a direct line of communication was established between the White House in Washington D.C. and the Kremlin in Moscow Russia. Both President John F. Kennedy and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev wanted to avoid any future crisis such as the one in Cuba that might lead to an accidental nuclear war. Quick and easy communication between the two super powers was essential. Kennedy said the hotline would "help reduce the risk of war occurring by accident or miscalculation", something both leaders feared greatly.
After the near disaster of the Cuban Missile Crisis, a direct line of communication was established between the White House in Washington D.C. and the Kremlin in Moscow Russia. Both President John F. Kennedy and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev wanted to avoid any future crisis such as the one in Cuba that might lead to an accidental nuclear war. Quick and easy communication between the two super powers was essential. Kennedy said the hotline would "help reduce the risk of war occurring by accident or miscalculation", something both leaders feared greatly.
Questions to consider:
- What was the main purpose for the installation of a "hotline" between the White House and the Kremlin?
- To what extent would such an open line of communication be an advantage to both nations?
- How are President John F. Kennedy and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev portrayed in this cartoon?