 Chapter 25, Section 5 and Chapter 27, Section 1

 Nixon and Kissinger (his most trusted advisor) believed in the idea of realpolitik (German for ‘realistic politics’) o This focused on concrete national goals as opposed to political ideologies. o The goal was to clearly define the goals and the U.S. would not be involved in affairs which it shouldn’t be.  Nixon also began U.S. recognition of communist China, specifically to further trade agreements. o It would also benefit the U.S. in driving a wedge between China and the Soviet Union and o Possibly influence the North Vietnamese to accept peace.  The U.S. formally recognized China in 1979.

 After Nixon journeyed to China, Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev began to fear Russian isolation. So he too invited Nixon to visit.  In 1972, Brezhnev and Nixon signed the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I). o It froze the deployment of ICBMs (delivery of nuclear weapons); o Placed limits on ABMs (surface to air missiles)  It did not end the arms race, but it was a step in the right direction. o This went along with Nixon’s policy of détente– reducing Cold War tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

 During his campaign, Nixon sought to be the spokesman for the ‘silent majority’ that was Middle America.  Nixon proposed the idea of a ‘New Federalism’, backing off the influence of the federal government in everyday affairs, and returning some power to the states. o He hoped to do this through revenue sharing: federal government shared revenue with the states to fund social programs.  These ideas benefitted Middle America– the key Republican demographic.

 After many years of strong growth and low inflation, the economy experienced both a recession and high inflation at the same time.  Though it began under Johnson, stagflation (the term coined) grew more troublesome under Nixon.  Causes included: expanding federal budget (due to Vietnam); rising foreign competition; increase in the price of oil. o Oil prices rose due to OPEC’s embargo on Israel and their Allies.

 Because Nixon had narrowly won the presidency in 1968, he hoped to increase his support for his 1972 bid, so he targeted blue-collar workers and southern whites, individuals who had traditionally voted Democratic. o This became known as Nixon’s Southern Strategy. It centered around being seen as a moderate. o Example: on civil rights issues, such as busing, Nixon sided with those he was trying to win the support of.

 A break-in at the Democratic National Convention at the Watergate hotel gained national attention.  Nixon denied wrongdoing, but from an informant known as ‘Deep Throat’ doomed Nixon.  Although Nixon’s top aides resigned in November, 1973, Nixon still claimed that “I am not a crook.” o With the discovery of secret Oval Office tapes, Nixon was forced to turn them over, possibly implicating himself in Watergate.  Though portions of the tapes were erased, they did implicate Nixon. The House impeached him, and Nixon soon resigned.

 What challenges did Nixon face during his presidency? How did he handle them?