On July 23, 1959 Vice President Richard Nixon arrived in the Soviet Union
on an un-official visit, to open the American Exhibition in Moscow.
The year before the U.S and Soviets approved a educational and cultural
exchange program, in order to improve their relationship. As part of the program
the two sides agreed to hold a National Exhibit in the summer of 1959, with the
Soviets in New York, and the American's in Moscow. During his visit he and Khrushchev had many heated debates as they both held very strong beliefs that clashed. The most famous exchange between the two leaders dubbed the "kitchen debate" occurred while the two were touring a model kitchen at the exhibition. The argument turned into a warning from both men that if either nation started a nuclear
war both nations would be destroyed. Later Nixon apologized for being "a poor host."
Nixon's visit to was considered a success, despite the arguments with
the Soviet Premier, as he was able to meet the Soviet people and several key leaders. Nixon's trip marked the beginning of foreign relations between the two rivals, and opened the possibility for future diplomacy
the Soviet Premier, as he was able to meet the Soviet people and several key leaders. Nixon's trip marked the beginning of foreign relations between the two rivals, and opened the possibility for future diplomacy