1. Nixon & the Cold War
Chapter 16 Section 5

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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

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