Richard Nixon and Dentente
- 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 (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