Final answer:
President Nixon's aim during the "Kitchen Debate" with Khrushchev was to demonstrate the superiority of capitalism over socialism by showcasing American material prosperity. The event was symbolic of Cold War competition but also opened dialogue that eventually contributed to détente and arms control agreements.
Step-by-step explanation:
President Nixon's Goal in the "Kitchen Debate"
During the infamous "Kitchen Debate," President Nixon's primary goal was to highlight the benefits of capitalism. The debate took place in an American model home in Moscow and was an opportunity for Nixon to contrast the American standard of living, underpinned by a capitalistic society, with that of the Soviet Union's socialist system. Nixon and Soviet Premier Khrushchev discussed the merits of their respective economic systems, with Nixon defending the material prosperity that capitalism offered to American families.
The discussion didn't delve deeply into substantive debate but was significant for showcasing the differing ideologies between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War era. Although the debate did not directly lead to the end of the Cold War, it did open channels for better communication between the two nations, eventually leading to talks on détente and arms reduction, such as the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT).