Failure of Peaceful Coexistence (1953–61)

What is the main argument of the essay question?

That peaceful coexistence failed by 1961 because neither the East nor the West was fully committed.

What was Khrushchev’s aim with peaceful coexistence?

Reduce East–West tensions while maintaining ideological and strategic competition.

Why did the USSR appear not fully committed to peaceful coexistence?

Because it defended Eastern Europe aggressively and provoked crises (e.g., Hungary, Berlin).

How did the Hungarian Uprising (1956) undermine peaceful coexistence?

The USSR crushed it with force, showing it would not tolerate independence in Eastern Europe.

How did the Berlin Crisis (1958–61) undermine coexistence?

Khrushchev issued ultimatums demanding Western withdrawal from West Berlin, escalating tensions.

How did Soviet actions in the developing world signal limited commitment to coexistence?

Support for revolutionary movements, such as Cuba after 1959.

Why was the USA also not fully committed to peaceful coexistence?

It continued nuclear expansion, covert operations, and high-level surveillance against the USSR.

How did the New Look strategy undermine peaceful coexistence?

It relied on massive retaliation and nuclear deterrence rather than cooperative diplomacy.

How did CIA interventions show limited US commitment?

Operations in Iran (1953) and Guatemala (1954) aimed to undermine perceived communist influence.

What was the impact of the U-2 incident (1960) on coexistence?

It destroyed trust and led to the collapse of the Paris Summit.

Why is Khrushchev often blamed more than the US for the failure of coexistence?

His unpredictable diplomacy and aggressive actions triggered major crises.

How did the USSR’s behaviour in Eastern Europe contradict peaceful coexistence?

It used force to maintain control, showing ideological competition trumped peace.

What structural factors made peaceful coexistence difficult?

Ideological conflict, mutual distrust, nuclear arms race, domestic political pressures.

Why was peaceful coexistence never fully mutual?

It was a Soviet initiative; the West accepted it cautiously but never formally agreed.

What positive signs of coexistence success were seen in the 1950s?

Geneva Summit (1955), Austrian State Treaty (1955), trade and cultural exchanges.

What does the Geneva Summit (1955) show about commitment to coexistence?

Both sides were willing to negotiate and reduce tensions to some extent.

What does the Austrian State Treaty (1955) demonstrate?

A major diplomatic success showing cooperation was possible.

What is the overall judgement on why peaceful coexistence failed by 1961?

Because neither side would compromise core interests, though the USSR played the larger role in the breakdown.