Richard Nixon Case Study

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THE CONTEXT
The most important events that defined the years of Richard Nixon’s mandate and that also affected the future of the U.S. were: o The Cold War o The War in Vietnam o The Space Race o The Women’s Movement o The 1973 Oil Crisis
THE COLD WAR ~ DETENTE
-The tension between The Soviet Union and The U.S. began to cool down, only to return at its initial state in the late 70s’.
-The fright of a possible nuclear war became almost routine-like for both nations, especially after the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)
-Earlier agreements on Arms Control: o The Limited Test Ban Treaty (1963) -> the first arms control agreement of the Cold War
-Détente (formal agreements on arms control): o The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) 1968 -> an agreement
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Finally, both of them agreed to limit their number of nuclear missiles in their arsenals. (regarded as one of Nixon’s greatest achievements). o Strategic Arms Limitations Talks/Treaty (SALT) II -> because SALT I did not prevent The U.S. and The Soviet Union from enlarging through the deployment of Multiple Independently Targeted Re-Entry Vehicles onto their ICBMs (Intercontinental ballistic missile) and SLBMs (Submarine-launched ballistic missile) SALT II followed. It sought to limit the use of MITV. Even though the treaty was signed, it was never ratified by the United States Senate (because the Soviets invaded Afghanistan). It held up until its expiration in …show more content…
o Began withdrawing forces from Vietnam o “Vietnamization” -> the U.S. program of turning over to the South Vietnamese government responsibility for waging the conflict, in order to implement withdrawal of US military personnel.
-Kissinger (the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs) together with Le Duc Tho tried to reach an agreement on a peace settlement, however, President Thieu did not agree at first, fearing South Vietnam would be left alone to fight with North Vietnam and the communist forces that supported them. In the end he was persuaded and the peace treaty was signed on January 27.
- Consequently, in 1973 he ordered the withdrawal of U.S’s Army.
-In 1975 the war ended and North Vietnam triumphed, having communist forces supporting them. In a year the country was unified as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
THE SPACE

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