Why Pepsi Had its Own Military | Tales From the Bottle

An often requested topic, today we look into the timeline of Pepsi's (yes, the cola company) naval fleet during the Cold War, which is popularly cited as having been the 6th largest military force in the world.

"In 1959, the USSR held an exhibition of Soviet technology and culture in New York. The United States reciprocated with an exhibition in Sokolniki Park, Moscow, which led to the famous kitchen debate. One of the American products exhibited was Pepsi Cola. After obtaining a photo of U.S. President Richard Nixon and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev sipping Pepsi, Pepsico executive Donald Kendall was able to capture the attention of the Soviet people and, in 1972, negotiate a cola monopoly in the USSR. Due to Soviet restrictions on transporting rubles abroad, PepsiCo struck a barter deal whereby Stolichnaya vodka would be exchanged for Pepsi syrup. This deal lasted until 1990, when the USSR and PepsiCo re-negotiated a $3 billion deal to exchange syrup for vodka and a small fleet of Soviet warships including 17 submarines, a frigate, a cruiser and a destroyer"

More on Wikipedia:

[Saviliana]

Actually, that the cruiser, was technically a assault carrier instead of a normal cruiser. It could launch LCAC and helicopter form the helipad. If Pepsi did want to, they could really able to use it as a mobile base to attack coca cola.

[nielsberg]

Finally, a political movement that fits perfectly with my ideals

[DoctorAllanGrey]

I remember watching someone else's video about this, and the most-even more disappointing thing about this is, iiirc, that after negotiating this deal, Pepsi didn't ever actually GET the ships to scrap. The Soviet Union collapsed and they had to start negotiations all over again with the new Russian Federation.

[nitrocharge]

This is almost as entertaining as the Ohio Michigan conflict over a 1 mile strip of land. And of course, like that conflict as well, it was very small scale, and led absolutely nowhere

[jakkakasunset]

Qxirism
Is it just capitalism but all the money goes through you?

[bungwater]

To summarize:
Soviets wanted Pepsi bad
Soviet money =crap
Soviet trade military for Pepsi
Pepsi takes ships
Pepsi sends Pepsi
Pepsi later scraps ships

[cheezez]

What about that Canada vs Denmark “war” over Hans island where they removed each other’s flag and left some whiskey behind. it’s a pretty small topic but it would be good for a quick/compilation video

[ecto_boy]

Communist Pepsi serves only the motherland

[gusgrau]

I love how none of this wouldn’t have started without a Russian political officer being offered a Pepsi during the Cold War at the right time

[jordonslamse]

One time i punted a baby over my neighbor's fence.

[nitroraptor]

I’m on RC Cola’s side. It is perfectly balanced, right in between the two.

[rosanirodrigues]

Lord of the Ring? I thought it was Star Wars vs Star Trek?

[DaggerStyle]

Everyone know that Qxirism is the pinnacle of modern society

[taillesschief]

I love your work! Keep it up! I share all of them with my friends! Let's get this man to 2 million subs!

[Skorpychan]

The trouble is that it didn't sell in Russia. Vodka was cheaper than water, and cola was more expensive than water. No contest, really.
This situation caused a lot of trouble for my uncle, who was involved in setting up manufacturing plants in Russia at some point.

[ffpidcg]

how to settle the cola wars:
pepsi is better when its cold
coke is better when its not cold

[mildsuffering]

2:34

This is the funniest fucking image without context ive ever seen

I woke up with youtube autoplayed to this frame and ive been laughing hysterically for 5 mins im not watching the rest because it would ruin the no context vibe but i am liking the vid this is great

[ffphantomii]

Could've been cool if the USA then gave Coke some tanks in retaliation.

[thejoseph]

Id get down with qxirism just like I did with the sickness.

[zaiz]

I love how you go from coca cola and pepsi rivalry, who are probably only “rivals” as some form of advertisement, to the USA and USSR whom were not at war with each other cause it could literally end the world.