The Documentary Podcast Introducing The Bomb: Kennedy and Khrushchev
Dec 17, 2025
Explore the thrilling dynamics of the Cold War as Khrushchev and Kennedy gear up for their historic Vienna summit. Delve into their contrasting backgrounds and ideologies, from Kennedy's elite upbringing to Khrushchev's peasant roots. Personal stories from their relatives reveal intimate glimpses into the lives of these towering figures. Discover how the ambitious race for missiles and the looming Cuban Missile Crisis added tension to their unprecedented meeting. Witness the complexity of their rivalry marked by both admiration and mistrust.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Childhood Memories Of Khrushchev's Country House
- Nina Khrushcheva remembers finding her great-grandfather's country house boring and being made to collect tomatoes and tend a beehive there.
- She recalls that family treated Nikita Khrushchev with deference even after his ouster, which felt strange to her as a child.
The Bomb As A Symbol Of Superpower Status
- Khrushchev became captivated by nuclear weapons and missiles as symbols of Soviet greatness and parity with the US.
- He feared their use but believed possession ensured superpower status and global psychological importance.
Sputnik Changed The Balance Of Perception
- The Sputnik launch in 1957 shifted global perception by proving Soviet missile reach and humiliating US prestige.
- Sputnik's success turned space achievement into proof of strategic parity and amplified Cold War anxiety in the West.