Brief Overview of the Time Period:
The Cold War took place from Sept. 2nd, 1945 to Dec 25th, 1991 when tensions between the U.S. and Soviet Union were escalating. This war was fought through espionage, propaganda, alliances with other nations and influence in poorer nations, the arms race, the Space Race, supporting opposite sides in wars (such as in Korea and Vietnam), and nuclear threats. The U.S. was against the communist government of the Soviet Union and the Soviet Union was against the democratic and capitalist government of the U.S. Although the two countries were allies earlier in World War I and World War II, their relations were forced due to war circumstances. The Cold War finally came to an end with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Narrative of the U-2 Spy Plane Incident:
The U-2 Spy Plane Incident took place in 1960 when American pilot Francis Gary Powers was flying over the Soviet Union with a mission to take pictures of USSR military installations. On May 1st 1960, Powers began his mission from Pakistan to Bodo, Norway in his U-2 Spy Plane. His plane was struck down by a Soviet missile. While he survived, he was captured by the local authorities, turned over to the KGB, and was sentenced to 10 years in prison but was released in less than 2 years due to the first ever “spy swap” which happened when a Soviet spy was caught in America and was exchanged for Powers. Powers was criticized by many after his return to the U.S. for not using his suicide pill or poison. The U.S. government attempted to cover-up the incident but failed to do so. Relations between the Soviet Union and the United States were strained and as the Cold War came to an end, Powers’ reputation changed from one of shame and guilt to one of a Cold war hero.
Annotated Gallery
The purpose behind the image was to show Powers with the U-2 spy plane showing that he worked as a spy for the US.
- The image fits historical context because it shows an American spy during the Cold War conducting espionage in the Soviet Union. The Cold War was fought through many factors including espionage. The picture shows Powers after he returned home to the U.S.
The purpose of these images was to show Powers captured as a spy in the Soviet Union. Khrushchev is seen examining the destroyed U-2 Spy plane showing that the US was caught conducting espionage.
The images fit historical context because they both show acts of espionage during the Cold War.
The images fit historical context because they both show acts of espionage during the Cold War.
- The purpose of the image was to display Powers as an American hero after returning back to the US from the Soviet Union.
- The image fits historical context because it establishes American espionage in the Soviet Union.
- The purpose of this image was to show what the U2 planes looked like at the time period. It was to show what Francis Gary Powers flew over the Soviet territory.
- This image fits into historical context because U2 planes were used for spying on military installation in the Soviet territory during the Cold War.
- The purpose behind this image was to invoke the public to read the experience based on the author who was involved first-hand.
- This image fits into historical context by having a first person text which will have all the details and inside information that no one would know. The Cold War was very tense at the time of the event that the book was written about.
- The purpose of this image was to show Powers’ expected route to Bodo and his unexpected crash in the Soviet Union before he could reach Bodo.
- The image fits into historical context because it shows a route taken to carry out espionage during the Cold War.
1) https://www.eisenhower.archives.gov/research/online_documents/u2_incident/5_2_60_Cover_Plan.pdf
What was the purpose behind this text?: This document was created to explain what had happened when Francis Gary Powers-who is unnamed in the text- during the plane crash in the USSR.
How is this perspective similar or different to that of the Soviets?: This account was made by the United States. They believed that the pilot had died, which differed from the Soviet knowledge that the pilot had survived.
Who is the audience?: The audience was likely people who were involved in the military and upper parts of government. This can be inferred due to the fact that the document is labeled as “Top Secret”.
What is the point of view based on this source?: The point of view was objective, giving the facts that the United States believed to be true.
2) https://www.eisenhower.archives.gov/research/online_documents/u2_incident/5_5_60_NASA_Release.pdf
What was the purpose behind this text?: This document was made to cover up the fact that the U2 Spy Plane was a spy plane. It explains how the plane crashed and the actions taken following the plane’s failure.
How is this perspective similar or different to that of the Soviets?: The United States created the document as a cover up. They knew the truth that it was a spy plane. This is similar to the Soviet perspective because they already knew Francis Gary Powers was a spy for the United States.
Who is the audience?: This source was a press release, explaining the U2 Spy Plane Incident. This impacted the writing because the United States didn’t want US citizens or the Soviets to know that they were spying on the USSR.
What is the point of view behind this source?: The point of view behind the document was objective but supportive of the American government.
3) https://www.eisenhower.archives.gov/research/online_documents/u2_incident/5_11_60_State_Telegram.pdf
What was the purpose behind this text?: The purpose behind this text was to state that the US government did take an action within 24 hours of the incident and that they know what had happened.
How is this perspective similar or different to that of the Soviets?: The point of view of the US differs from the Soviets because the US stated that the plane was unarmed when the Soviets would say that the plane was armed since it was a spy plane. The Soviets had to respond to the US in order to make it look like they didn’t take down the plane.
Who is the audience?: The audience was the Embassy of Moscow in order to communicate about the incident in a timely manner.
What is the point of view behind this source?: The point of view of this text was that the US was innocent and tried to communicate with the Soviets to make sure that they stayed seemingly innocent and safe.
4)https://www.eisenhower.archives.gov/research/online_documents/u2_incident/8_23_60_Radio_Interview.pdf
What was the purpose behind this text?: The purpose of this text was to evaluate what had happened in the U2 Spy Plane Incident and give some speculation surrounding the event.
How is this perspective similar or different to that of the Soviets?: There is a discrepancy of whether the United States is correct about the plane’s failure or the Soviet’s view that they shot down the plane. There is also confusion as to whether the pilot was a spy or an ordinary citizen.
Who is the audience?: The radio interview was recorded for listeners, likely all in the United States. This impacts the writing because the two speakers are trying to make the event as exciting as possible to have more listeners.
What is the point of view behind this source?: The point of view was that the U2 Spy Plane Incident accounts had different views that caused some confusion. The interviewers found it a fascinating story that they suggested others look into.
5) https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/books-and-monographs/the-cia-and-the-u-2-program-1954-1974/u2.pdf
What was the purpose behind this text?: The purpose behind the text was to establish the U-2 Spy Planes and the spy program.
How is this perspective similar or different to that of the Soviets?: The perspective is different from the Soviets in the program itself. However the use of spies is similar because both sides wanted inside information from the enemy.
Who is the audience?: The audience would be US government officials in order for them to understand the policy and to look back to the texts if needed in a situation.
What is the point of view behind this source?: The point of view behind this is to show that the US has a lot of power and information that they can use for this program. The program will help the country get a step ahead of the Soviets.
What was the purpose behind this text?: This document was created to explain what had happened when Francis Gary Powers-who is unnamed in the text- during the plane crash in the USSR.
How is this perspective similar or different to that of the Soviets?: This account was made by the United States. They believed that the pilot had died, which differed from the Soviet knowledge that the pilot had survived.
Who is the audience?: The audience was likely people who were involved in the military and upper parts of government. This can be inferred due to the fact that the document is labeled as “Top Secret”.
What is the point of view based on this source?: The point of view was objective, giving the facts that the United States believed to be true.
2) https://www.eisenhower.archives.gov/research/online_documents/u2_incident/5_5_60_NASA_Release.pdf
What was the purpose behind this text?: This document was made to cover up the fact that the U2 Spy Plane was a spy plane. It explains how the plane crashed and the actions taken following the plane’s failure.
How is this perspective similar or different to that of the Soviets?: The United States created the document as a cover up. They knew the truth that it was a spy plane. This is similar to the Soviet perspective because they already knew Francis Gary Powers was a spy for the United States.
Who is the audience?: This source was a press release, explaining the U2 Spy Plane Incident. This impacted the writing because the United States didn’t want US citizens or the Soviets to know that they were spying on the USSR.
What is the point of view behind this source?: The point of view behind the document was objective but supportive of the American government.
3) https://www.eisenhower.archives.gov/research/online_documents/u2_incident/5_11_60_State_Telegram.pdf
What was the purpose behind this text?: The purpose behind this text was to state that the US government did take an action within 24 hours of the incident and that they know what had happened.
How is this perspective similar or different to that of the Soviets?: The point of view of the US differs from the Soviets because the US stated that the plane was unarmed when the Soviets would say that the plane was armed since it was a spy plane. The Soviets had to respond to the US in order to make it look like they didn’t take down the plane.
Who is the audience?: The audience was the Embassy of Moscow in order to communicate about the incident in a timely manner.
What is the point of view behind this source?: The point of view of this text was that the US was innocent and tried to communicate with the Soviets to make sure that they stayed seemingly innocent and safe.
4)https://www.eisenhower.archives.gov/research/online_documents/u2_incident/8_23_60_Radio_Interview.pdf
What was the purpose behind this text?: The purpose of this text was to evaluate what had happened in the U2 Spy Plane Incident and give some speculation surrounding the event.
How is this perspective similar or different to that of the Soviets?: There is a discrepancy of whether the United States is correct about the plane’s failure or the Soviet’s view that they shot down the plane. There is also confusion as to whether the pilot was a spy or an ordinary citizen.
Who is the audience?: The radio interview was recorded for listeners, likely all in the United States. This impacts the writing because the two speakers are trying to make the event as exciting as possible to have more listeners.
What is the point of view behind this source?: The point of view was that the U2 Spy Plane Incident accounts had different views that caused some confusion. The interviewers found it a fascinating story that they suggested others look into.
5) https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/books-and-monographs/the-cia-and-the-u-2-program-1954-1974/u2.pdf
What was the purpose behind this text?: The purpose behind the text was to establish the U-2 Spy Planes and the spy program.
How is this perspective similar or different to that of the Soviets?: The perspective is different from the Soviets in the program itself. However the use of spies is similar because both sides wanted inside information from the enemy.
Who is the audience?: The audience would be US government officials in order for them to understand the policy and to look back to the texts if needed in a situation.
What is the point of view behind this source?: The point of view behind this is to show that the US has a lot of power and information that they can use for this program. The program will help the country get a step ahead of the Soviets.
Podcast
Essential Historical Questions Discussion
What makes the U2 Spy Plane Incident so significant in the context of US-Soviet relations? To what degree can this event be credited with escalating US-Soviet tension?
The U-2 Spy Plane Incident was the first ever exposed case of espionage between the U.S. and Soviet Union and marked a change in US-Soviet relations. The Eisenhower Administration attempted to cover up the incident and claimed that the plane that crashed in the Soviet Union was a NASA vehicle and not a military vehicle. But the Soviet Union came out with the information that they had captured Powers and were holding him as a prisoner. The American government was caught lying and the incident highly strained US-Soviet Union relations and escalated tensions between the two superpowers.
Legacy: How has the current societal view of international espionage been influenced by the U2 Spy Plane Incident?
Spy movies were being produced prior to the U2 Spy Plane incident, though there was a boom of espionage and spy movies created post-Cold War. The U2 Spy Plane Incident was one of the multiple events that helped contribute to more popular culture about spies and espionage. While correlation is not causation, it could be inferred that this incident was one of the spy incidents that inspired such espionage movies and shows. In fact, in 2015, a movie called “Bridge of Spies” was created to tell the story of Francis Gary Powers and the U2 Spy Plane incident.
What was the historical situation during the time at which this event took place? How did this affect the way this incident played out?
The U2 Spy Plane Incident occurred in the midst of the Cold War. Tensions between the Soviets and the US were rising as the situations dealing with spies increased. Both sides were worried about potential enemy spies finding inside information. This greatly impacted the way the incident played out. There was an arrangement made to swap the two spies in order for both sides to gain back their spy and to get information. This was the only fair option for the US and Soviets.
What does the failed coverup and the eventual prisoner trade say about the Eisenhower Administration’s position in the Cold War?
This incident shows that the Eisenhower Administration didn’t want to hurt the reputation of the US during the Cold War. Both superpowers were competing in the Cold War and did not want to risk a bad image. Because of this, the U.S. attempted to hide the incident from the public. The eventual spy swap shows that the Eisenhower Administration was still willing to negotiate and avoid war and conflict at all possible costs.
The U-2 Spy Plane Incident was the first ever exposed case of espionage between the U.S. and Soviet Union and marked a change in US-Soviet relations. The Eisenhower Administration attempted to cover up the incident and claimed that the plane that crashed in the Soviet Union was a NASA vehicle and not a military vehicle. But the Soviet Union came out with the information that they had captured Powers and were holding him as a prisoner. The American government was caught lying and the incident highly strained US-Soviet Union relations and escalated tensions between the two superpowers.
Legacy: How has the current societal view of international espionage been influenced by the U2 Spy Plane Incident?
Spy movies were being produced prior to the U2 Spy Plane incident, though there was a boom of espionage and spy movies created post-Cold War. The U2 Spy Plane Incident was one of the multiple events that helped contribute to more popular culture about spies and espionage. While correlation is not causation, it could be inferred that this incident was one of the spy incidents that inspired such espionage movies and shows. In fact, in 2015, a movie called “Bridge of Spies” was created to tell the story of Francis Gary Powers and the U2 Spy Plane incident.
What was the historical situation during the time at which this event took place? How did this affect the way this incident played out?
The U2 Spy Plane Incident occurred in the midst of the Cold War. Tensions between the Soviets and the US were rising as the situations dealing with spies increased. Both sides were worried about potential enemy spies finding inside information. This greatly impacted the way the incident played out. There was an arrangement made to swap the two spies in order for both sides to gain back their spy and to get information. This was the only fair option for the US and Soviets.
What does the failed coverup and the eventual prisoner trade say about the Eisenhower Administration’s position in the Cold War?
This incident shows that the Eisenhower Administration didn’t want to hurt the reputation of the US during the Cold War. Both superpowers were competing in the Cold War and did not want to risk a bad image. Because of this, the U.S. attempted to hide the incident from the public. The eventual spy swap shows that the Eisenhower Administration was still willing to negotiate and avoid war and conflict at all possible costs.
Annotated Bibliography
This article served as a useful basic timeline and lay-out of the events. The research started at this site so more sources could be found through the details given. The bulk of the research information was found in this document.
Andrews, Evan. “Remembering the U-2 Spy Plane Incident.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 1 May 2015, www.history.com/news/remembering-the-u-2-spy-plane-incident.
BBC News’ article supplied the project with many quotes in order to gather a more detailed report and deeper understanding. There are specific quotes given by Powers on the events that led to the crash.
Caffrey, Jason. “Gary Powers: The U-2 spy pilot the US did not love.” BBC News, BBC, 3 Jan. 2016, www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35064221.
This page on the website dedicated to the work of Francis Gary Powers Jr. provides additional information on the famed spy swap that took place. This is one of the more specific pages of those used, with the purpose of providing additional detail.
“Francis Gary Powers, Jr.” Francis Gary Powers Jr, garypowers.org/1962-spy-exchange-of-powers-for-abel/.
This website was crucial to our research because by analyzing the Soviet point of view, the information provided is more objective. This article focuses on the misconceptions around the U2 Spy Plane Incident and the article denies that any vital information was given to the Soviet Union by Powers.
“The Truth About Gary Powers, a Cold War Hero.” The Moscow Times, themoscowtimes.com/articles/the-truth-about-gary-powers-a-cold- war-hero-12411.
It was important for the research information to include the most legitimate sources, and this document from the US State Department aided in this effort. This document outlines the key events of the U2 Spy Plane Incident and goes more into depth concerning Eisenhower’s actions following Powers’ capture.
U-2 Incident, 1960, www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/u2.htm.
Andrews, Evan. “Remembering the U-2 Spy Plane Incident.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 1 May 2015, www.history.com/news/remembering-the-u-2-spy-plane-incident.
BBC News’ article supplied the project with many quotes in order to gather a more detailed report and deeper understanding. There are specific quotes given by Powers on the events that led to the crash.
Caffrey, Jason. “Gary Powers: The U-2 spy pilot the US did not love.” BBC News, BBC, 3 Jan. 2016, www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35064221.
This page on the website dedicated to the work of Francis Gary Powers Jr. provides additional information on the famed spy swap that took place. This is one of the more specific pages of those used, with the purpose of providing additional detail.
“Francis Gary Powers, Jr.” Francis Gary Powers Jr, garypowers.org/1962-spy-exchange-of-powers-for-abel/.
This website was crucial to our research because by analyzing the Soviet point of view, the information provided is more objective. This article focuses on the misconceptions around the U2 Spy Plane Incident and the article denies that any vital information was given to the Soviet Union by Powers.
“The Truth About Gary Powers, a Cold War Hero.” The Moscow Times, themoscowtimes.com/articles/the-truth-about-gary-powers-a-cold- war-hero-12411.
It was important for the research information to include the most legitimate sources, and this document from the US State Department aided in this effort. This document outlines the key events of the U2 Spy Plane Incident and goes more into depth concerning Eisenhower’s actions following Powers’ capture.
U-2 Incident, 1960, www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/u2.htm.