Download - The Nixon Presidency
The Nixon Presidency
Foreign AffairsWatergate
What do you know about Nixon?
Election of 1968
• Richard Nixon (Republican) wins
Nixon and Foreign Affairs
• Realpolitik- foreign policy based on power of other nations, not ideals or morals– Weak countries (Vietnam)? “Ignore” them– Powerful countries (USSR & China)? Engage /
deal with themHenry Kissinger-Nixon’s NationalSecurity Advisor andEventual Secretary of State (hoodie and wall clockFor sale
Detente• Policy aimed at easing Cold War tensions• Nixon visits China (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5V9sP_nDCM) – February 1972- recognize for first time since 1949– Agree to expand diplomatic and economic
relations
Détente… USSR
• May 1972- Nixon goes to Moscow- 1st president ever
• SALT (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) • SALT I Treaty:– Limits number of ICBMs and submarine launched
missiles
• How can realpolitik and détente be seen as a departure from “containment”?
• • *****How did Nixon’s successful policy of
“détente” allow him to remove US troops from Vietnam “with honor”?
•
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXCxZE0hZ40 Watergate:
• What are examples of Nixon’s abuse of power as president?
• What happened at the Watergate hotel?
• Please explain how the Watergate scandal was an example of “checks and balances”:
Nixon and Vietnam
• “Vietnamization”: Prepare South Vietnam to defend itself
• 1st? Secretly bombs “Ho Chi Minh Trail” in Cambodia
• Starts Civil War there
• What is “impeachment”?• Why did CRP burgle Watergate hotel?
…Nixon• While bombing, brings troops home slowly– 500,000 to 25,000 troops, 1969- 1972
• Peace talks begin in Paris
End of war
• 1973- cease fire is arranged• 1974- last troops leave
Aftermath
• US continues to aid S Vietnam w/ $$$$• April 1975- Vietnam reunited, communist
Modern day celebration of “Reunification Day”
…Aftermath
• Cambodia goes Communist– Brutal reign of terror by (Pol Pot) Khmer Rouge
Aftermath…
• > 58,000 American dead• > 1,000,000 Vietnamese
Backlash against Presidential Power
• “Pentagon Papers” leaked in 1971– Proof the gov’t was planning on entering war even
while LBJ was saying they wouldn’t• “War Powers Act”- 1973– President MUST inform Congress within 48 hours
if troops are mobilized– Congress must approve or declare war within 90
days• ***Limits the power of the president***