The U2 Crisis
I can explain the impact of the U2 crisis on East-West relations.
The U2 Crisis
I can explain the impact of the U2 crisis on East-West relations.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- US and Soviet relations showed signs of improvement at the end of the 1950s.
- The 1960 Paris Summit was scheduled to try and resolve issues such as Berlin, Cuba and nuclear testing.
- In May 1960, a US U2 spy plane was shot down over the USSR.
- The U2 Crisis helped trigger the collapse of the Paris Summit.
- Tensions between the US and USSR increased as a result of the U2 Crisis.
Keywords
Peaceful coexistence - the belief that conflict between the USA and USSR could be avoided
Treaty - a written agreement between two or more countries
Espionage - the act of spying and gaining secret information about another country
Common misconception
The USSR immediately refused to cooperate with the USA after a U2 was show down in May 1960.
The USSR still attended the Paris Summit but walked out when the US refused to apologise for spying on it.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
US President
U2 pilot
Soviet leader