Nixon & the Cold War Visit to People’s Republic Of China == immediate reaction from USSR USSR leader Brezhnev feared that improved US-Chinese relations

Nixon’s new approach to Cold War Prev approach: us & them; “enemy of my enemy is my friend” New approach: realpolitik Political goals --- defined by concrete nat’l interests, NOT abstract ideologies More flexible & pragmatic; no absolutes National Security Advisor: Henry Kissinger Nixon: conservative CA Republican, suspicious of E. Coast Kissinger…. Went to Harvard, Jewish, from Germany, had actually worked against Nixon in several previous presidential campaigns Realpolitik --- if Americans would put aside Cold War biases & look @ world with fresh eyes, US global interests could be surveyed in shades of grey rather than black & white. For ex: China & USSR --- America’s ideological enemies --- could be excellent trading partners. At same time – West Germany & Japan, who were our ideological friends, were developing into ECONOMIC rivals. Also concluded there was no united worldwide Communsit movement as other presidents believed. Important differences between unique ideologies of USSR & China and other communist countries like Yugoslavia, N. Korea, N. Vietnam, etc.

Normalizing Relations with China Nixon wanted to recognize China (most populous country but not officially rec’g or admitted to UN) Benefit: economics / trade; politically (division w/ USSR); maybe N. Vietnam February 1972: official state trip to China Full diplomatic relations 1979 Nixon had built his career as a hard-line Cold Warrior, a vigilant opponent of communism - was the last politician that people expected to extend olive branch of recognition (and therefore peace) China: Economic --- improved relations would bring significant trade agreements (esp good for California, Pacific Coast) Wedge between China & USSR --- had become rivals for territorial and diplomatic influence Maybe Chinese could pressure N. Vietnam to accept a negotiated peace to end the conflict, still going at the time Announced official visit in July 1971 Toured Great Wall, historical sites, talked w/ Zhou Enlai & Mao Zedong; learned enough Chinese to make a toast in the language of the country 1973: set up trade, American tourists could go --

Détente with Soviet Union May 1972: Nixon visited Moscow Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I): froze use of ICBMs, put limits on others (though not all) Did not end arms race, but one step toward goal Détente replaces previous efforts based on suspicion; efforts to reduce tensions/ hostility Visit to People’s Republic Of China == immediate reaction from USSR USSR leader Brezhnev feared that improved US-Chinese relations would isolate Russia, so invited Nixon to visit Moscow Agreements about a wide variety of things --- environmental quality/ pollution; cancer; heart disease; plans to conduct joint US-USSR space mission