Richard Nixon and Detente
-Richard Nixon was elected 37th President in 1968
-He promised to end the Vietnam war and pulled troops however he also increased bombing campaign and implemented Vietnamization.
-He began a policy of Détente to lessen Cold War tensions.
-Resigned after being implemented in the 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 and wanted improved relations between the two.
-In 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.
-He promised to end the Vietnam war and pulled troops however he also increased bombing campaign and implemented Vietnamization.
-He began a policy of Détente to lessen Cold War tensions.
-Resigned after being implemented in the 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 and wanted improved relations between the two.
-In 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.
Richard Nixon