Richard M. Nixon

Foreign Policy: 1968-1974

“I’ve always thought this country could run itself domestically without a

President.”

Henry Kissinger• Nixon’s National

Security Advisor (1969-1973) Secretary of State in 1973

• Nixon’s closest and most trusted advisor

• Believed in ‘realpolitik’ - practical politics– Decisions based

on maintaining strength, not moral principles

– Détente - a relaxing of tensions between two nations.

Nixon and China

• Nixon and Kissinger took different approach to dealing with Communist China.

• US began series of moves to improve relations with China.

• “Ping-pong diplomacy”• Nixon traveled to

China in Feb. of 1972• Met with Chairman

Mao and Premier Zhou Enlai (to Nixon’s right).

• Nixon politically popular as a result.

The Soviet Union and China

• Soviet Union (Russia or USSR) communist but enemies of China.

• Nixon exploited this difference.

• Vietnam received majority of aid from Russia.

• Better relations with China could be a bargaining chip to end Vietnam War.

Nixon, the USSR, and China

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Strategic Arms Limitations Talks

(SALT I)• Nixon visited Soviet Union

in 1972.• First US President inside

the Kremlin• SALT I Treaty signed in

1972 by US and USSR– Wanted to limit the

proliferation (expansion) of offensive nuclear weapons.

– Froze the number of ICBMs and SLBMs at 1972 levels.

– Restricted the development of antiballistic missile systems.

Missiles… ICBMs (Intercontinental Ballistic)

SLBMs (Submarine Launched Ballistic)

Personal Diplomacy begins to pay off

• Paris Peace talks stalled since 1968. Renewed periodically.

• China relations, USSR visit created a bargaining ploy to end the war in Vietnam

• National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger claimed ”peace is at hand” - just before 1972 election.

• December 1972, new round of bombing - “Christmas bombings” (Nixon - a “mad bomber”)

• Bombed Hanoi, North Vietnam, mined the harbor

• Vietnam resumes negotiations with US

1973 - Paris Peace Accords

• The United States would withdraw all its forces from South Vietnam within 60 days.

• All prisoners of war would be released.

• All parties to the agreement would end military activities in Laos and Cambodia.

• The 17th parallel would continue to divide North and South Vietnam until the country could be reunited.

Paris Peace Accords: Vietnam

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Nixon’s Foreign Policy Legacy• Nixon’s focus and

most intense interest was always foreign policy

• His achievements are often overshadowed by the Watergate scandal.

• Nixon effectively ended the war in Vietnam

• Nixon ushered in a period of détente with former US enemies