Member-only story

Nixon and Kissinger: The Unlikely Partnership That Shaped the World

Jackson Hayes

·3.2k Followers· Follow

Published in Nixon And Kissinger: Partners In Power

5 min read · 3 weeks before

37 View Claps

9 Respond

Save

Listen

Richard Nixon And Henry Kissinger Confer During The Vietnam War Nixon And Kissinger: Partners In Power

Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger were an unlikely pair. Nixon, a conservative Republican from California, had a reputation for being ruthless and ambitious. Kissinger, a German-born Jew who had fled Nazi Germany, was a brilliant and unorthodox diplomat. Yet together, they formed one of the most powerful and consequential partnerships in American history.

Nixon and Kissinger: Partners in Power

by Robert Dallek

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3079 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	754 pages

Their partnership began in 1968, when Nixon was running for president. Kissinger was impressed by Nixon's intelligence and his willingness to take risks. Nixon, in turn, was attracted to Kissinger's intellect and his knowledge of foreign affairs.

After Nixon was elected, he appointed Kissinger as his national security advisor. Kissinger quickly became one of the most influential figures in the administration. He played a key role in shaping Nixon's foreign policy, including the opening to China, the détente with the Soviet Union, and the end of the Vietnam War.

Nixon and Kissinger's partnership was not without its challenges. They often clashed over policy, and Kissinger's arrogance sometimes grated on Nixon's nerves. But they also had a deep respect for each other, and they worked together to achieve their goals.

The Opening to China

One of Nixon and Kissinger's most significant accomplishments was the opening to China. For decades, the United States had refused to recognize the People's Republic of China, which had been established in 1949. But Nixon and Kissinger believed that it was essential to engage with China in Free Download to improve relations and reduce the risk of war.

In February 1972, Nixon and Kissinger made a secret trip to China. They met with Mao Zedong, the leader of China, and they discussed a wide range of issues. The visit was a success, and it paved the way for the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and China.

The opening to China was a major turning point in American foreign policy. It helped to reduce tensions between the two countries, and it opened up new opportunities for trade and cooperation.

The Détente with the Soviet Union

Nixon and Kissinger also pursued a policy of détente with the Soviet Union. Détente is a French word that means "relaxation of tension." Nixon and Kissinger believed that it was possible to reduce tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union through negotiation and cooperation.

In May 1972, Nixon and Kissinger visited Moscow. They met with Leonid Brezhnev, the leader of the Soviet Union, and they signed a number of agreements. These agreements included the SALT I treaty, which limited the number of nuclear weapons that each country could have.

Détente was a controversial policy. Some critics argued that it was too soft on the Soviet Union. But Nixon and Kissinger believed that it was necessary to reduce the risk of nuclear war.

The End of the Vietnam War

One of Nixon and Kissinger's most difficult challenges was the Vietnam War. The war had been going on for over a decade, and it had become increasingly unpopular at home. Nixon and Kissinger were determined to end the war, but they did not want to do so in a way that would humiliate the United States.

In 1973, Nixon and Kissinger negotiated a peace agreement with North Vietnam. The agreement called for a ceasefire, the withdrawal of American troops, and the release of American prisoners of war.

The peace agreement was a major diplomatic achievement. It ended the Vietnam War and brought American troops home. However, the agreement did not resolve the underlying conflict between North Vietnam and South Vietnam. The war resumed in 1975, and North Vietnam eventually defeated South Vietnam.

Legacy

Nixon and Kissinger's partnership was one of the most consequential in American history. They reshaped American foreign policy, opened up new relationships with China and the Soviet Union, and ended the Vietnam War.

Nixon and Kissinger were both complex and controversial figures. But there is no doubt that they had a profound impact on the world.