The Kitchen Debate and Cold War Consumer Politics by Shane Hamilton and Sarah Phillips highlights the debates of Richard Nixon and Nikita Khrushchev. Nikita Khrushchev and USSR are the clear victors of the kitchen debate. Khrushchev’s concern about the Soviet population as a whole is a key reason as to why he is the winner of the debate. Instead of being concerned about individualism, his focus was on the people and how he could better the country. To begin, unlike Nixon, Khrushchev sought out to treat Soviet women as equal human beings instead of slave to the kitchens. Nixon thought that the Soviet women would admire the shiny new kitchens that were in the American exhibition and that it would grab their attention. However, the women were
…show more content…
For instance, Khrushchev made the point, “all you have to do to get a house is to be born in the Soviet Union. You are entitled to housing.” (pg. 49, doc. 5) He also added, “In America if you do not have dollar –you have the right to choose between sleeping in a house or on the pavement.” (pg. 49, doc. 5) These statement are so important because unlike in America, it is your right to a home as long as you have citizen. Americans have to work extremely hard in order to be able to purchase a home and that is not even including all of the other luxuries that go along with owning a home. The Soviet Union looks out for their people by providing them with shelter instead of leaving them with the choice of sleeping outside. They were also concered with the type of materials were used to build the housing. It was important that the houses there were built in sturdy and dependable materials. For example, “Houses should be built solidly, out of reinforced concrete and brick, so that our children and grandchildren can live in them.” (pg. 52, doc.6) Khrushchev thought about the long term effects of his country rather than the short term effects. Another important fact about the Soviet Union is that they provided public education for their people also along with jobs. “Many miners here (Soviet Union) earn 3000 rubles even more a month. The live in well built homes and enjoy the culture. Degtyarsk has 17 schools and 12 kindergartens and a splendid palace of Culture.” (pg. 68, doc.15) Clearly, education was a very important factor to the Soviets. They were all for the wellbeing of their
For instance, Khrushchev made the point, “all you have to do to get a house is to be born in the Soviet Union. You are entitled to housing.” (pg. 49, doc. 5) He also added, “In America if you do not have dollar –you have the right to choose between sleeping in a house or on the pavement.” (pg. 49, doc. 5) These statement are so important because unlike in America, it is your right to a home as long as you have citizen. Americans have to work extremely hard in order to be able to purchase a home and that is not even including all of the other luxuries that go along with owning a home. The Soviet Union looks out for their people by providing them with shelter instead of leaving them with the choice of sleeping outside. They were also concered with the type of materials were used to build the housing. It was important that the houses there were built in sturdy and dependable materials. For example, “Houses should be built solidly, out of reinforced concrete and brick, so that our children and grandchildren can live in them.” (pg. 52, doc.6) Khrushchev thought about the long term effects of his country rather than the short term effects. Another important fact about the Soviet Union is that they provided public education for their people also along with jobs. “Many miners here (Soviet Union) earn 3000 rubles even more a month. The live in well built homes and enjoy the culture. Degtyarsk has 17 schools and 12 kindergartens and a splendid palace of Culture.” (pg. 68, doc.15) Clearly, education was a very important factor to the Soviets. They were all for the wellbeing of their