Many expressed support for Khrushchev and Garst's diplomatic relationship because they felt it would ease Cold War tensions and promote peaceful coexistence, show Khrushchev the strength of a capitalist country, expand trade, and help Iowa's agricultural economy.
Debating Diplomacy
Iowa Corn Field (The Kinnick Project, N.d.)
Garst and Khruschev's diplomatic exchanges drew significant attention and sparked debate among public officials and private citizens locally, nationally, and internationally.
Supporters See Opportunities
"This takes us out of the trenches of the ‘cold war' and into the field of diplomatic maneuver—where there are both dangers and opportunities. We are determined to avoid the former, and exploit the latter."
-U.S. Government official (U.S. News & World Report, 17 Aug. 1959)
(Carroll Daily Times Herald, 23 Sept. 1959)
(Tyler Telegraph, 22 Aug. 1959)
"Iowa State University students greet Nikita Khrushchev during his visit to the campus." (The Des Moines Register, 23 Sept. 1959)
(USSR Magazine, Sept. 1959)
(The Des Moines Register, 22 Nov. 1959)
"Streamers lettered in English and Russian were displayed by members of the Wakonda Church in Iowa as Nikita Khrushchev rode by." (USSR Magazine, Oct. 1959)
"I have seen what great understanding can be brought about through personal contacts… I hope that by [Khrushchev’s] personal contacts with the American people much better understanding can be brought about."
-Cristy Mickey, letter to U.S. Senator Hickenlooper of Iowa (Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, 14 Sept. 1959)
Critics See "Red"
Critics mostly saw "red," and stated disapproval of Khrushchev's political views as a communist. They distrusted his motivations and strongly opposed sharing American agricultural, industrial, and economic ideas with the enemy.
"Everyone thought this was a preposterous idea, since trade between our countries was nonexistent at the time; the U.S. didn’t even buy Stolichnaya vodka or caviar from the Soviet Union."
-Sergei Khrushchev, Nikita Khrushchev's son (American Heritage, 1999)
"Loveless said he fears the tour will be used for propaganda purposes." (Minneapolis Tribune, 23 Aug. 1959)
(Coon Rapids Enterprise, 17 Sept. 1959)
"People protest Nikita Khrushchev's arrival to Des Moines." (The Des Moines Register, 22 Sept. 1959)
-Tom Mitchell, letter to U.S. Senator Hickenlooper of Iowa (Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, 13 Sept. 1959)
"Crowd gathered on street to see Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev in Des Moines, Iowa." (Library of Congress, 23 Sept. 1959)
"My friend was allowed to get out of the classroom to see [Khrushchev] drive down the street but ordered not to smile at him because, you know, he was a communist."
-Liz Garst (Personal interview, 3 Jan. 2022)