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