“The Nixon, Ford and Carter Years” 1968 to 1980 We’ve already covered Nixon’s role in Vietnam… Remember??

The Slow Thaw A magazine cover about ping pong diplomacy, so called because better relations between the US and China came after the two countries’ ping pong teams played each other. Most film/TV villains were Soviets or communists; Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Crystal Skull, which is set in the 1950s, pays homage to the use of Soviets as villains. Cate Blanchette as Col. Dr. Irina Spalko in Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Crystal Skull

Détente (the easing of hostility or strained relations, especially between countries) Better relations between communists countries and the US began with one of the most hard-lined anti-communist presidents, Richard Nixon. I In his “only Nixon could go to China” trip, Nixon was the first US president to visit that communist country. Richard and Pat Nixon (in an appropriately red coat) at the Great Wall of China

The Slow Thaw… (SALT Treaties) In 1969 Nixon (Sec. of State Henry Kissinger) began negotiations with USSR on SALT I, common name for the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty Agreement. It was the first effort between US/USSR to stop increase nuclear weapons. SALT II was a second round of US/USSR talks (1972-1979), which sought to reduce manufacture of nuclear weapons. SALT II was the first nuclear treaty seeking real reductions in strategic forces to 2,250 of all categories on both sides. Nixon and Brezhnev toast the SALT I treaty. Carter and Brezhnev sign the SALT II treaty.

Gerald Ford Foreign Policy: 1. Henry Kissinger remains secretary of state 2. Détente: negotiates with China & Soviet Union 3. Helsinki Accords: 35 nations agree to cooperation Outcome: Ford’s greatest accomplishment 4. South Vietnam surrenders; Congress sends no aid

Jimmy Carter Establishing Human Rights Foreign Policy: 1. 1977 U.S. & Panama Treaty (U.S. give up ownership of Panama Canal Dec. 31. 1999) Outcome: improves U.S.-Latin American relations 2. Carter’s human rights policies end Détente & raise Cold War tensions 1. Soviet invasion of Afghanistan 2. SALT II signed by Carter/Brezhnev but not ratified by Senate

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan Interrupts Thaw Movie poster for Charlie Wilson’s War about US efforts to support the mujahideen In 1978, the USSR invaded Afghanistan and tried to set up a friendly government. It became the USSR’s Vietnam, a long war with no clear victory possible and many casualties and high costs. The US supported the Afghani rebels known as the mujahideen. In 1989 the Soviets finally withdrew. Islamic extremists used the opportunity to take over the country. The defeat weakened the Soviet’s economy and morale. Muhahideen celebrate the downing of a Soviet helicopter

1. 1977: peace negotiations begin between Israel Camp David Accords: 1. 1977: peace negotiations begin between Israel (Menachem Begin) and Egypt (Anwar el-Sadat) 2. 1978: Carter, Sadat, & Begin meet at Camp David & agree to agreement Israel withdraws from Sinai & Egypt recognizes Israel Iran Hostage Crisis: 1. Jan. 1979: revolution in Iran overthrows the shah of Iran with Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini 2. Nov. 4, 1979: 52 Americans taken hostage from U.S. embassy in Tehran 3. Outcome: negotiations for 444 days result in release Jan. 20, 1981