HIST 2340W Lecture Notes - Lecture 19: Henry Kissinger, Nixon Doctrine, African Nationalism
Document Summary
China was emerging from the cultural revolution, but it was in a border conflict with the soviet union and became eager to break out of its international isolation. The soviets had achieved strategic parity with the u. s. , but defense spending was destroying the economy. The ussr was more dependent on the west, and needed greater relations with the u. s. more than before. These changes created a new type of foreign policy under president nixon. Nixon believed the u. s. had lost prestige and status because of the vietnam war. He wanted to create a foreign policy that integrated a realistic sense of what the u. s. could and could not do. Henry kissinger, secretary of state, was highly influential. Foreign policy making became highly centralized, often made in secret and without consulting congress. Believed that fp required being isolated from public opinion and the shifting tides of domestic politics.
