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Chapter 29 Section 5 Nixon and the Cold War. How did Richard Nixon change Cold War diplomacy during his presidency?. After the Vietnam War, President Nixon developed a new approach to the Cold War. He redefined America’s relations with the Soviet Union and China.
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How did Richard Nixon change Cold War diplomacy during his presidency? • After the Vietnam War, President Nixon developed a new approach to the Cold War. • He redefined America’s relations with the Soviet Union and China.
President Nixon redefined U.S. foreign policy. • Practical Politics- He did not divide the world into “us” (democratic countries) and “them” (communist countries). • He practiced realpolitik — foreign policy based on concrete national interests rather than ideology. • He concluded that there was no united worldwide communist movement.
Henry Kissinger • Henry Kissinger was President’s Nixon’s leading adviser on national security and international affairs. • Together they altered America’s Cold War policy, improving the country’s relations with China and the Soviet Union.
China • A political realist, Nixon wanted to establish diplomatic relations with China. • The United States stood to gain much by recognizing China. • Diplomatic relations with China would bring economic opportunities to the United States. • An improved relationship with China would weaken China’s ties to the Soviet Union. • China might pressure North Vietnam to accept a negotiated peace to end the Vietnam War
Ping Pong Diplomacy • China invited a U.S. ping-pong team to play in a tournament. • Kissinger used that opportunity to work behind the scenes, talking with Chinese leaders and ironing out sensitive issues.
Nixon Visits China • In February 1972 President Nixon visited China and met with Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai.
Benefits of Nixon’s China Visit • Nixon’s visit to China resulted in several benefits to the United States. • Trade thrived between the U.S. and China. • American tourists began to visit China. • Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev invited President Nixon to visit Moscow.
Nixon Visits Moscow • In May 1972 Nixon met with Brezhnev in Moscow. • They signed SALT 1, the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty, a major step towards ending the nuclear arms race. • The two leaders agreed to reduce pollution and undertake a joint U.S.–Soviet space mission.
Détente • Nixon’s policy of détente, the easing of Cold War tensions, replaced the old policy based on suspicions and distrust. • His foreign-policy breakthroughs moved the world closer to the end of the Cold War. • Leonid Brezhnev (1960)
