Contributed by Maine State Museum
Description
Soviet leader Yuri Andropov (1914-1984) wrote to Samantha Smith of Manchester in reply to her letter which urged peace but wondered if he wanted to start a war.
Andropov became General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in November 1982 following the death of Leonid Brezhnev. Concerned about talk of nuclear war, fifth-grader Samantha Smith wrote to the new leader to find out what his plans were.
In his letter, he insists he wants peace and invites Smith and her parents to visit the Soviet Union. Samantha, Jane and Arthur Smith traveled there in July 1982.
Andropov died in February 1984 and Samantha and Arthur Smith were killed in a plane crash in August 1985.
Transcription
About This Item
- Title: Letter from Yuri Andropov to Samantha Smith, 1983
- Creator: Yuri Andropov
- Creation Date: 1983
- Subject Date: 1983
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Locations:
- Manchester, Kennebec County, ME
- UR
- Media: Ink on paper
- Object Type: Text
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Political activity
- International relations
- Peace
- Smith, Samantha, 1972-1985--Travel
- Cold War
- Smith, Samantha, 1972-1985--Correspondence
- Andropov, Yuri Vladimirovich, 1914-1984--Correspondence
- Letters
- Children and peace
People
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine State MuseumMaine State Museum, 230 State Street, Augusta, ME 04330
207-287-2301
Website
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. No Permission is required to use the low-resolution watermarked image for educational use, or as allowed by the applicable copyright. For all other uses, permission is required.
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