Richard Nixon and Detente
Notes:
Richard Nixon:
Détente (A Relaxation of Tension):
Detente
Ostpolitik
The Helsinki Accords, 1975
USA, USSR, France, UK and 31 other countries met in 1975 in Finland
Agreed to:
Accept European frontiers (Diplomatic victory for USSR and relieved tensions in Eastern Europe)
To Respect human rights (in particular the USSR)
To make easier the movement of people across borders
Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT)
- 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
Détente (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)
Detente
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
The Helsinki Accords, 1975
USA, USSR, France, UK and 31 other countries met in 1975 in Finland
Agreed to:
Accept European frontiers (Diplomatic victory for USSR and relieved tensions in Eastern Europe)
To Respect human rights (in particular the USSR)
To make easier the movement of people across borders
Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT)
- Talks began in 1969, between US and USSR
- By 1972 the first SALT treaty (SALT I)agreed that both countries would limit their number of ICBMs
- SALT II, 1979, intended to accomplish nuclear parity
- SALT II got interrupted by the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
- 1980 Ronald Reagan became President and ended detente
SUMMARY :
Nixon ran on a peace platform (Vietnamization). He began a policy of Detente (lessen Cold War tension) but before he could implement he was forced to resign because he was associated with the bugging of the democratic room in Washington. Once he resigned Gerald Ford took over and became president.
Detente: New form of containment--> competing with the Soviets through other things (ie. sports)
Ostpolitik: German leader wanted to Re-unite families, Basic Treaty
Detente: New form of containment--> competing with the Soviets through other things (ie. sports)
Ostpolitik: German leader wanted to Re-unite families, Basic Treaty
Quotes:
The Cold War isn't thawing; it is burning with a deadly heat. Communism isn't sleeping; it is, as always, plotting, scheming, working, fighting.
Richard M. Nixon
Richard M. Nixon
Subjunctive questions:
How would things have been different without the policy of detente?