Tensions were already rising in the 1950’s as the cold war had everyone slightly paranoid about the missile race gap between the United States and Russia. In 1955, U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower had proposed an “open skies” plan at a conference in Geneva, in which each country would be authorized to conduct mutual aerial inspections of nuclear facilities and launch pads of the other. Russian President Nikita Khrushchev refused the proposal continuing current the Soviet policy of rejecting international inspections of any form. Meanwhile, Khrushchev also boasted that the Soviet Union had developed numerous intercontinental ballistic missiles. This arose concerns from the U.S. about Soviet nuclear development, and from these concerns grew the U-2 spy plane program. Once America had constructed the U-2 aircraft, they immediately began to complete numerous successful missions flying over and around…show more content… He was initially criticized for failing to activate his aircraft’s self-destruct charge designed to destroy the camera, photographic film, and related classified parts of his aircraft before capture. He was also condemned by others for choosing not to use an optional CIA-issued “suicide coin”. Incoming president John F. Kennedy, who was taking office was asked if Powers should receive back pay or be considered a hero. “'Our recommendation would be no. He was hired to do a job, and he flopped at that job. He left his U-2 behind, substantially undamaged, so the Reds could copy or improve upon it. Under the circumstances, back pay would be laughable. He is lucky to be home again. Anything he can contribute about the Russians will be willingly received. But he is no hero, and he should not be regarded as one. The White House is eminently right in not bringing him in for a meeting with the President.” (Kennedy)