Mayday, Eisenhower, and Khrushchev: The Affair that Changed the Cold War
![Jese Leos](https://nicksucre.com/author/reginald-cox.jpg)
On May 1, 1960, a United States U-2 spy plane was shot down over the Soviet Union, triggering a political firestorm that threatened to unravel the fragile détente between the two superpowers. The incident, known as the "Mayday Affair," brought President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev to the brink of war and cast a long shadow over the Cold War for years to come.
The U-2 Spy Plane
The U-2 was a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft developed by the United States in the 1950s. At the time, it was the only aircraft capable of flying at altitudes high enough to avoid Soviet radar and air defenses. The U-2 was used to conduct surveillance missions over the Soviet Union, collecting vital intelligence on military installations, nuclear facilities, and other sensitive targets.
4.5 out of 5
Language | : | English |
File size | : | 5430 KB |
Text-to-Speech | : | Enabled |
Screen Reader | : | Supported |
Enhanced typesetting | : | Enabled |
X-Ray | : | Enabled |
Word Wise | : | Enabled |
Print length | : | 459 pages |
Lending | : | Enabled |
The Mayday Affair
On May 1, 1960, a U-2 spy plane piloted by Francis Gary Powers took off from a base in Pakistan and began a surveillance mission over the Soviet Union. The plane was detected by Soviet radar, and Soviet fighter jets were scrambled to intercept it. The U-2 pilot attempted to evade the interceptors, but was ultimately shot down over Sverdlovsk (now Yekaterinburg).
The Soviet government announced the downing of the U-2 and claimed that it had been on a bombing mission. The United States initially denied the Soviet claims, but when the Soviets released photographs of the wreckage and the captured pilot, President Eisenhower was forced to admit that the U-2 had been on a spy mission.
Eisenhower's Response
President Eisenhower was furious at the Soviet government's actions and demanded the immediate release of the captured pilot. He also ordered a halt to all U-2 flights over the Soviet Union. Eisenhower's response was met with anger in the United States, where many people believed that the Soviets had humiliated the United States and violated its sovereignty.
Khrushchev's Response
Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev seized on the Mayday Affair to denounce the United States as an aggressor. He accused the United States of violating Soviet airspace and threatened to retaliate if the United States did not cease its reconnaissance flights. Khrushchev also demanded that the captured pilot be tried as a spy.
The Paris Summit
In the wake of the Mayday Affair, President Eisenhower and Premier Khrushchev were scheduled to meet at a summit in Paris in May 1960. The summit was intended to discuss a number of issues, including the U-2 incident and the nuclear arms race. However, the summit was canceled at the last minute after Khrushchev withdrew, citing the U-2 incident as the reason.
The Aftermath
The Mayday Affair had a profound impact on the Cold War. It shattered the fragile détente that had existed between the United States and the Soviet Union and led to a new escalation of tensions. The incident also raised serious questions about the United States' intelligence capabilities and the wisdom of its aggressive surveillance program.
The Mayday Affair continued to cast a shadow over the Cold War for years to come. It was not until 1962, after the Cuban Missile Crisis, that the United States and the Soviet Union finally reached a new agreement on arms control and the prevention of nuclear war.
The Mayday Affair was a pivotal event in the Cold War. It brought the two superpowers to the brink of war and shattered the fragile détente that had existed between them. The incident also raised serious questions about the United States' intelligence capabilities and the wisdom of its aggressive surveillance program. The Mayday Affair continued to cast a shadow over the Cold War for years to come, and it was not until 1962 that the United States and the Soviet Union finally reached a new agreement on arms control and the prevention of nuclear war.
4.5 out of 5
Language | : | English |
File size | : | 5430 KB |
Text-to-Speech | : | Enabled |
Screen Reader | : | Supported |
Enhanced typesetting | : | Enabled |
X-Ray | : | Enabled |
Word Wise | : | Enabled |
Print length | : | 459 pages |
Lending | : | Enabled |
Do you want to contribute by writing guest posts on this blog?
Please contact us and send us a resume of previous articles that you have written.
Best Book Source
Ebook Universe
Read Ebook Now
Digital Book Hub
Ebooks Online Stores
Fiction
Non Fiction
Romance
Mystery
Thriller
SciFi
Fantasy
Horror
Biography
Selfhelp
Business
History
Classics
Poetry
Childrens
Young Adult
Educational
Cooking
Travel
Lifestyle
Spirituality
Health
Fitness
Technology
Science
Arts
Crafts
DIY
Gardening
Petcare
June Wood
Tim Grimes
Michael Englishman
Ken Auletta
Jake Bernstein
Michael Hastings
Pamela Mountbatten
Cameron Blake
Carrie Melissa Jones
Connie Rubsamen
Hillel Halkin
Peter Rand
Anthony Sinclair
Frank Bruni
Matthew Franklin Sias
Sylvia Barbara Soberton
Paul Krugman
John F Ross
Edward Glassman
Oxana Dubrovina
Light bulbAdvertise smarter! Our strategic ad space ensures maximum exposure. Reserve your spot today!
![My Career In Peiping S English Press Media 1920 1938: Autobiography Of Sun Jui Chin (J C Sun)](https://nicksucre.com/k/autobiography-of-sun-jui-chin-sun-a-testament-to-resilience-determination-and-legacy.jpeg)
![Brennan Blair profile picture](https://nicksucre.com/author/brennan-blair.jpg)
![Teach Like Your Hair S On Fire: The Methods And Madness Inside Room 56](https://nicksucre.com/k/teach-like-your-hair-s-on-fire-unleashing-passion-and-excitement-in-your-classroom.jpeg)
![Julio Cortázar profile picture](https://nicksucre.com/author/julio-cortazar.jpg)
- Zachary CoxFollow ·10.1k
- Jessie CoxFollow ·13.8k
- Derrick HughesFollow ·9k
- Lucas ReedFollow ·12.8k
- Ben HayesFollow ·2.5k
- Brenton CoxFollow ·3.3k
- Ike BellFollow ·17.4k
- Carlos DrummondFollow ·12.6k
![Killing A King: The Assassination Of Yitzhak Rabin And The Remaking Of Israel](https://nicksucre.com/k/killing-a-king-the-assassination-of-yitzhak-rabin-and-the-remaking-of-israel.jpeg)
![Edwin Blair profile picture](https://nicksucre.com/author/edwin-blair.jpg)
Killing A King: The Assassination Of Yitzhak Rabin And...
## The Assassination Of Yitzhak Rabin And The...
![Death In Benin: Science Meets Voodoo](https://nicksucre.com/k/death-in-benin-where-science-meets-voodoo.jpeg)
![Carlos Fuentes profile picture](https://nicksucre.com/author/carlos-fuentes.jpg)
Death in Benin: Where Science Meets Voodoo
In the West African nation of Benin, death...
![How To Manage Your Girlfriend S White Guilt: And Other Horrifying Tales Of Rich White Liberals (Volume 1)](https://nicksucre.com/k/a-comprehensive-guide-to-managing-your-girlfriend-s-white-guilt-understanding-empathy-and-empowerment.jpeg)
![Ernest J. Gaines profile picture](https://nicksucre.com/author/ernest-j-gaines.jpg)
A Comprehensive Guide to Managing Your Girlfriend's White...
White guilt, a complex and...
![Pablo Escobar: The Life Of A Notorious Colombian Drug Lord](https://nicksucre.com/k/the-notorious-life-and-times-of-pablo-escobar-the-colombian-drug-kingpin.jpeg)
![Jon Reed profile picture](https://nicksucre.com/author/jon-reed.jpg)
The Notorious Life and Times of Pablo Escobar, the...
Pablo Escobar, the...
![Trainwreck: My Life As An Idoit](https://nicksucre.com/k/trainwreck-my-life-as-an-idiot.jpeg)
![Juan Rulfo profile picture](https://nicksucre.com/author/juan-rulfo.jpg)
Trainwreck: My Life As An Idiot
My life has been a trainwreck. I've made...
![First Words: A Childhood In Fascist Italy](https://nicksucre.com/k/first-words-childhood-in-fascist-italy-a-haunting-memoir-of-growing-up-under-mussolini.jpeg)
![Christian Barnes profile picture](https://nicksucre.com/author/christian-barnes.jpg)
First Words Childhood In Fascist Italy: A Haunting Memoir...
First Words Childhood In...
4.5 out of 5
Language | : | English |
File size | : | 5430 KB |
Text-to-Speech | : | Enabled |
Screen Reader | : | Supported |
Enhanced typesetting | : | Enabled |
X-Ray | : | Enabled |
Word Wise | : | Enabled |
Print length | : | 459 pages |
Lending | : | Enabled |