Richard Nixon/ Détente
Notes
Richard Nixon
Reasons why U.S. sought detente:
The Helsinki Accords, 1975
- Elected 37th President in 1968
- Promised to end the Vietman War
- Pulled troops but increased bombing campaign, implemented Vietnamization
- Began a policy of Detente to lessen Cold War tensions
- Resigned after being implemented inWatergate Scandal, 1973
Reasons why U.S. sought detente:
- Nuclear and Strategic Parity- The Russians had caught the U.S. in most military areas (caused them to want to think of other options)
- Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (limit the spread of Nuclear weapons) Signed by Johnson in 1968 (France and China did not sign it)
- Many, like Henry Kissinger, felt detente 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 detente move
The Helsinki Accords, 1975
- USA, USSR, France, UK and 31 other countries met in 1975 in Finland
- Accept European frontiers (Diplomatic vicotry 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 ICBM's
- SALT II, 1979, intented to accomplish nuclear parity
- SALT II got interrupted by the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
- 1980 Ronald Reagan became President and ended detente
Quote
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
Summary
Richard Nixon became president by promising peace. He attempted to follow through with his promise by implementing the policy of detente to lessen the world wide tension. Detente had sucess, but Nixon did not follow through with his promise. Detente included four different events; the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Ostpolitik, The Helsinki Accords and the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks. Detente was interupted by the Soviets invading Afghanistan.