The Summits

• Geneva, May 1959


  What happened?

  Both sides made proposals as to how Berlin should be governed - no agreement was reached.

  Outcome of the meeting?

  President Eisenhower invited Khrushchev to the USA for further talks

  Impact on relations?

  Better relations - further talks agreed
• Camp David, September 1959

  What happened?

  Eisenhower and Khrushchev met face to face for the first time since at the presidential ranch. Still no agreement about way forward for Berlin.

  Outcome?

  Soviets did not agree to withdraw Berlin ultimatum, further talks would be held in Paris over summer.
• Paris, May 1960


  What happened?

  Soviet Union had made an announcement that destroyed the success of further talks, regarding the U2 'spy' plane.

  Outcome?

  President Eisenhower was embarrassed by what happened but refused to apologise - said spying operations like such could not be avoided.

  Impact on relations?

  Khrushchev walked out of the meeting.
• The U2 Spy plane

  On 1 May 1960, the Soviet Union had shot down an American U2 plane, which they believed to be spying as it flew over the Soviet Union.

  The Americans claimed that it had been a weather plane that had flown off course, but the Soviets interrogated the pilot: Gary Powers, who admitted to being on a spying mission.

  No decisions were made at the Paris summit following this discovery, as Khrushchev walked out of the meeting
• Vienna, June 1961


  Changing dynamic:

  John F-Kennedy became president of the USA - followed policy of building up the USA's military forces while trying to resolve difficulties with the Soviet Union through talks

  Khrushchev believed that as Kennedy was inexperienced in foreign affairs, it would be easy to take advantage of him during talks - also American invasion of Cuba had failed a month earlier (lowered their reputation)
• Vienna, June 1961


  What happened?

  Khrushchev took a tough approach and renewed the Berlin Ultimatum of 1958

  Kennedy was concerned by this but was determined not to look weak and so refused to make any concessions.

  Outcome?

  Kennedy increased spending on armed forces in America by over $2 billion to protect the USA if war were to break out, it seemed as though the USA were prepared to fight over Berlin

  No final decision was made about Berlin's ownership

  Impact on Relations?

  Relationship between Khrushchev and Kennedy was very strained