Nixon & the Cold War Chapter 16 Section 5

Lecture Focus Question How did Richard Nixon change Cold War diplomacy during his presidency?

Nixon Redefines American Foreign Policy Previous policy: basic conflict between communism and democracy, “us versus them,” “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” Henry Kissinger: Nixon’s leading advisor Realpolitik: political goals should be defined by concrete national interests (ex: economics) instead of abstract ideologies

Playing the China Card Nixon wanted U.S. to officially recognize China Improved relations  significant economic benefits, especially for CA Stronger relations between U.S. & China  China pressures N. Vietnam to accept a negotiated peace to end Vietnam War

Ping Pong Diplomacy 1971: China invited an American ping pong team to play against its athletes 1972: Nixon visits China  HUGE SUCCESS!

Détente w/ U.S.S.R. Brezhnev invited Nixon to Moscow Genuine desire on both sides to decrease tensions Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT 1): treaty froze deployment of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM’s) Giant step toward ending arms race Nixon’s historic visits helped end Vietnam War and moved world toward ending Cold War

Lecture Focus Question How did Richard Nixon change Cold War diplomacy during his presidency?