Notes
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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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 was elected in 1967, and promised to end the Vietnam war and began the policy of detante; furthermore, resigned after the Watergate scandal, in 1972. Detente was implied to removed nuclear weapons from many countries; however, a few did not sign this, and the idea of containment was introduced. Ospolitik means 'east politics' which formed the Basic Treaty in 1972. The Helsinki Accords in 1975 involved more than 30 countries to agree to accept European frontiers, respect world rights, and to ease the movement of people across borders, which led to tourism and educational visits. SALT began in 1969 between US and USSR: SALT 1 (1972) implemented the limit of ICBMs, SALT II (1979) to accomplish nuclear parity; however, in 1980 Ronald Reagan became the new US president and ended all of detente.
Quote
"If you take no risks, you will suffer no defeats. But if you take no risks, you win no victories." - Richard Nixon
Subjunctive Question
Could have this (if all countries agreed) for sure ended the Cold War?