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***