Nixon – Foreign &
Domestic Policies
Mr. Williamson
Somerville HS
Nixon & The Cold War
O Before Nixon: American leaders shared common Cold War
Ideology
O Basic conflict between democratic/capitalist vs.
totalitarian/communist countries
O “Us vs. Them” divisions, “enemy of my enemy is my friend”
O After Nixon: with Henry Kissinger, leading national security
adviser, altered this traditional approach
O Embraced idea of “realpolitik”, German word meaning real
politics
O Stated that political goals should be defined by concrete
national interests instead of ideologies
O Argued if you put aside Communist bias, opportunities were
present
O Questioned the united/growing worldwide communist
movement from previous administrations
O Insisted on a flexible/practical foreign policy vs. theory/ideas
Nixon & The Cold War
O Nixon – focuses on global politics/alliances & its impact on
the US
O Relations with China
O Nixon realizes China could not be ignored (world’s most
populous country), diplomatic relations could benefit US
O Trade agreements would help California/Pacific Coast
economies
O US relations would drive a wedge between China/Soviet Union
(now rivals due to territory/global influence)
O Could pressure N. Vietnam to a negotiated peace
O Nixon announces state visit to China (arrives Feb. 1972) –
“Ping Pong Diplomacy”
O Tours Great Wall, Imperial Palace, lengthy talks with Premier
Zhou Enlai and Communist Chairman Mao Zedong
O 1973 – Tourists can travel, US companies set up new businesses
O 1979 – Full diplomatic relations with China are established
Nixon & The Cold War
O Nixon’s trip prompted an immediate response from Soviets
O Soviet Leader Leonid Brezhnev feared US/China relations
could isolate Russia, invites Nixon to Moscow
O Nixon/Brezhnev announce joint US-Soviet space mission
O Strategic Arms Limitation Agreement (SALT I)
O Froze the deployment/placed limits on ballistic missiles
O Did not end arms race, but giant step toward the goal
O Importance of SALT I
O Evidence of an easing of tensions between US/Soviets
O Policy of DÉTENTE (reducing tensions) replaces
suspicion/distrust
O Nixon relaxed foreign policy helps end Vietnam War
O One step closer to the end of the Cold War
Nixon & The Cold War
O With your assigned partner, read the following quote from President
Nixon and complete the questions using the primary source:
O “Recognizing the responsibility of the advanced industrial
nations to set an example in combating mankind’s common
enemies, the United States and Soviet Union have agreed to
cooperate in efforts to reduce pollution and enhance
environmental quality. We have agreed to work together in
the field of medical science and public health, particularly in
the conquest of cancer and heart disease.”
O 1. The Soviet Union and United States are partnering in
finding solutions to what problems? What is the reasoning
behind selecting these issues?
O 2. Why is this a smart approach by Nixon in easing Cold War
Tensions? Be specific and discuss why.
Nixon & The Watergate Scandal
O Using the cartoon history and short video on
the Watergate Scandal, what was the future
impact of this event? In other words, how
are the American people directly affected by
this incident?
O Name a minimum of 3 effects and be ready
to share with class.