Oklahoma Academic Standard 6. The student will analyze the origins of international alliances and efforts at containment of Communism following World War II.

Objective 6.4  Analyze the political and economic impact of President Nixon’s foreign policies including détente and the opening of China.

In a Nutshell

Students should understand the importance of evolving foreign policy toward the containment of communism and policy decisions made during the height of the Cold War. Richard Nixon promised to end military involvement in Vietnam by dealing with countries individually and relaxing tensions between the United States and communist nations. This policy of detente led to normalizing relations with China. In addition, students should be able to describe how the SALT treaty reduced tensions between the two superpowers.

Teacher Action 

Student Action 

• Reinforce students' critical thinking by evaluating and challenging ideas and assumptions related the policy of detente.

• Provide opportunities for students to examine the significance and impact of individuals who impact foreign policy.

• Analyze the impact of constitutions, laws, treaties, and international agreements, including the concept of sovereignty, in order to maintain national and international order. 

• Develop questions about multiple historical and/or contemporary sources to pursue further inquiry related to changing foreign relationships.

Key Concepts 

Misconceptions 

• Nixon's strategy to end the war; "peace with honor"

• Ping Pong diplomacy

• goals and impact of SALT II

• America's plan of  "Vietnamization"

• bombing for Cambodia 

• Some students may mistakenly assume that Nixon's sole motivation for opening relations with China was to expand foreign trade.

• Many students draw oversimplified conclusions that the United States lost the Vietnam conflict because of the public's loss of a will to fight; when, in fact, the outcome was the result of complex interacting factors.

Instructional Resources