Khrushchev and peaceful coexistence
I can explain why there were hopes for improved superpower relations in the early 1950s.
Khrushchev and peaceful coexistence
I can explain why there were hopes for improved superpower relations in the early 1950s.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- New leaders came to power in both the USA and USSR after 1953.
- Khrushchev and Eisenhower both believed US and Soviet differences did not need to be settled through conflict.
- The 1955 Geneva Summit was attended by both Eisenhower and Khrushchev.
- The Geneva Summit was the first meeting between the leaders of the superpowers since the end of WW2.
- No agreements were reached during the Geneva Summit.
Keywords
Arms race - the situation in which two or more countries try to have more and stronger weapons than each other
Inevitable - something which you cannot avoid or prevent from happening
Summit - a meeting between different nations or political powers where key issues and problems are discussed
Common misconception
The arms race only made the superpowers more hostile towards one another.
The high costs and growing power of nuclear weapons developments meant both the USSR and USA were interested in finding ways to improve relations between them.
To help you plan your year 11 history lesson on: Khrushchev and peaceful coexistence, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 history lesson on: Khrushchev and peaceful coexistence, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Cold War development: how peaceful was 'peaceful co-existence'? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
US President from 1953-61
Leader of Soviet Union from the mid-1950s
Leader of the USSR until 1953
US President from 1945-53