Examine the view that the policy of peaceful coexistence failed to promote good relations between the US and the USSR up to 1964.

Candidates are required to consider the concept of “peaceful coexistence” and how far it failed to promote good relations between the US and the USSR up to the given date. The term, which meant that competition between communism and capitalism would be by non-violent means, was associated with Khrushchev, who was also, arguably, a reason for its mixed success.

Indicative content

Failure to promote good relations

• There was continued anti-Russian rhetoric from the US administration, notably from John Foster Dulles.
• The Guatemalan coup of 1954 was planned and carried out because the US suspected that the Soviet Union was interfering in its sphere of influence by supporting President Arbenz.
• There was an expansion of Soviet influence in the developing world as relations improved with India and countries in the Middle East and this aroused the suspicion of the US.
• Tension over the “missile gap” was exacerbated by the launch of the Sputnik satellite in 1957.
• Khrushchev’s 1958 Berlin Ultimatum and the building of the Berlin Wall caused tension.
• The U2 crisis ended the Paris summit of 1960 this could be blamed on the US.
• At the Vienna Summit of 1961, Khrushchev and Kennedy had an acrimonious exchange over Berlin.
• The Cuban Missile Crisis led to an extreme risk of nuclear war between the US and USSR.

Examples of improved relations

• At the negotiations at the Geneva Conference in 1954, and the Geneva Summit of 1955, relations seemed to be improving and reference was made to the “spirit of Geneva”.
• There was agreement over Austrian neutrality and the Austrian State Treaty was signed in 1955.
• The US and the Soviet Union both condemned Britain and France during the Suez Crisis (prior to the declaration of the Eisenhower Doctrine on the Middle East in 1957).
• Khrushchev visited the US in 1959 and there was an agreement to seek a peaceful resolution of the Berlin issue.
• Post- Cuban Missile Crisis relations were good with Kennedy also making a “peaceful co-existence” speech in 1963.

The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, it is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.

Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.

[20 marks]