1970s and Nixon Pt 2 Foreign Policy

Richard Nixon Elected in 1968 and 1972- through a lot of Vietnam Only president to ever resign- Watergate scandal

Foreign Policy Realpolitik – foreign policy of Nixon US should make decisions based on national interests; not ideas/beliefs (like anti-communist) Shift from strong anti- communist/containment position Resulted in new relationships with communist nations and a relaxing of tension

Détente –means “relaxing,” major shift in U. S Détente –means “relaxing,” major shift in U.S. policy towards relaxing relationships with Communist countries (pronounced day-taunt) Even if a country was communist, we could still have a relationship if it was in our best interest Nixon planned meetings with communist leaders Thought détente would lessen tensions and increase economic activity Also wanted to increase hostility b/t U.S.S.R. and China We didn’t like them being friends- wanted to divide them Foreign Policy

How did Nixon’s philosophies of realpolitik and détente differ from the idea of containment?

Changes with China Feb. 1972, Nixon went to China to meet with Mao Zedong (1st Pres to go to China) Agreed to support China’s admission to UN Started economic and cultural exchanges Finally agreed to recognize Communist China as a nation; 1979 **Ping-pong diplomacy (Forrest Gump)

What was the significance of Nixon’s trip to China?

US Relations with Soviet Union May ‘72, Nixon traveled to Soviet Union Soviets wanted U.S. foodstuffs; feared US/ China relationship Also tired of threats to destroy each other Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) – US and USSR had enough nuclear weapons to destroy each other If either country launched, the other would respond, assuring destruction of both But it also prevented nuclear war- fear of destruction Soviets approached Nixon about reducing weapons

SALT I SALT I- Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty; signed in May ’72 – attempt to reduce threat of nuclear war US and USSR agreed to freeze # of intercontinental ballistic missiles (not make any more nuclear missiles) ABM Treaty – agreed to limit # of antiballistic missiles systems (ABMs) which can protect against missiles ABMs considered dangerous b/c could make a country more willing to use nuclear weapons b/c ABMs would protect them from counterattack

Causes of oil crisis in the 70s: US producing less oil, but consuming more; had to rely on other countries Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) – founded in 1960 (Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela)- produces most of world’s oil Could control price of oil by how much they produce Oil Crisis of 1970s

Oil Crisis B/c of Yom Kippur War, OPEC imposed oil embargo against US (helped Israel); price of oil went up 4x Nixon refused to ration gasoline  gasoline shortage

What factors brought on the country’s oil crisis in the 1970s? US supported Israel in conflict OPEC embargoed oil against the US US didn't ration gas Massive gas shortages What factors brought on the country’s oil crisis in the 1970s?

Visits with communist nations SALT- Limit nuclear weapons Nixon's Foreign Policy Realpolitik Détente Visits with communist nations SALT- Limit nuclear weapons Oil Crisis and shortage

Ford’s Presidency Became president after Nixon resigned (remember Watergate) Bad economy- inflation, unemployment, no growth- called stagflation Stagnant economy (no movement) with inflation

Ford’s Presidency 75, U.S. completely withdrew from S Vietnam Ford asked Congress for more $$ for S Vietnam, but Congress said no because of War Powers Act Didn’t want to be in Vietnam anymore Americans evacuated Saigon, South Vietnam in ‘75 Refugees swarmed U.S. embassy building N Vietnamese surrounded embassy, only U.S. personnel got out Broke promises to help many S Vietnamese who assisted US to get out- they got left

How could you characterize Ford’s presidency?

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BIG IDEA How did Nixon’s philosophies of realpolitik and détente differ from the idea of containment?