Richard Nixon And Détente
Notes
- Elected 37th President in 1968
- promised to end the Vietnam War
- Pulled troops but increased bombing campaign, implemented Vietnamization
- Began a policy of Détente to lessen Cold War Tensions
- Resigned after being implemented in Watergate scandal, 1972
- Reasons why U.S. sought détente:
- Nuclear and Strategic Parity - The Russians had caught the U.S. in most military areas (caused them to want to think of other options)
- Early Success:
- Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (limit the spread of Nuclear weapons) Signed by Johnson in 1968 (France and China do not sign it)
- Many, like Henry Kissinger, felt détente was just a new form of containment
Summary
Richard Nixon was the 37th President Elected, in 1968. He came in and made a promise to end the Vietnam War. He began that by pulling troops from there, but also increased the bombing campaign, which did not help. He also began the policy of Détente, which was designed to lessen the tension in the Cold war, between the USA and Russia. One reason the USA wanted détente was because the Russians had caught up to them in almost every Military area. Early success of Détente was the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Many people thought that Détente was just another form of Containing Communism.
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Subjunctive Question
What do you think would have happened if Détente had ended the Cold War?
Political Cartoon
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Quote
I can take it. The tougher it gets, the cooler I get.
- Richard Nixon
- Richard Nixon