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Do Now. In the early 1970s, towards the end of the Vietnam War, President Nixon began to reshape American foreign policy towards the communists. . Based on what we have discussed about the Cold War, why do you think this change in foreign policy came about?. US Foreign Policy 1972-1990.
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Do Now • In the early 1970s, towards the end of the Vietnam War, President Nixon began to reshape American foreign policy towards the communists. • Based on what we have discussed about the Cold War, why do you think this change in foreign policy came about?
US Foreign Policy 1972-1990 • Nixon visited the Soviet Union & China in 1972 • Purpose Détente • Ease tensions between US and communist countries • Why? to limit the chance of nuclear war; • Better relationship with China & Soviet Union
“Ping Pong Diplomacy” • China invited Americans players to a ping pong tournament in 1971 • Purpose was to begin process of better relations for Nixon’s visit
Détente During the 1970s • The US and Soviet Union agreed to treaties limiting the # of nuclear weapons • Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I & SALT II) • Why do you think the US and Soviets wanted to limit nukes?
The End of Detente • 1979—Détente ends when the Soviets invade Afghanistan • Why? The US thought this might lead to more Soviet aggression
The End of the Cold War 1980s • During the 1980s, 2 major factors led to the fall of the Soviet Union • 1. Soviet policies glasnost and perestroika • 2. The US reignited the arms race • Soviets could not keep up with US arms spending, and their economy faltered
The End of the Cold War • President Ronald Reagan called for a “Star Wars” missile defense • This, combined with the policies of Soviet leader Gorbachev, led to the fall of communism in Eastern Europe • 1989Berlin Wall falls (symbolic end of Cold War) • 1990-91The Soviet Union breaks apart
Closure • Why do you think the change in US foreign policy away from containment helped lead to the end of the Cold War in the late 1980s-early 1990s?