Richard Nixon and Detente
Richard Nixon:
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
Detente (A relaxation of tension):
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
Ostpolitik:
German for ‘east politics’
Western German leader, Willy Brandt wished to unite the Germanys
Wanted improved relations between the two
1972 a Basic Treaty was signed with East Germany
Accused of selling out to the communist East Germany, others see it as another détente move
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
Detente (A relaxation of tension):
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
Ostpolitik:
German for ‘east politics’
Western German leader, Willy Brandt wished to unite the Germanys
Wanted improved relations between the two
1972 a Basic Treaty was signed with East Germany
Accused of selling out to the communist East Germany, others see it as another détente move