The Limits of American World Power (1968-1974)

Question 1

What was Nixon’s role as a foreign policy president?

Answer 1

• His anti-communist stance gave him political capital
• He promised to end the war in Korea
• He wanted to improve US relations with China and Russia

Question 2

What was Nixon’s Madman Theory?

Answer 2

A foreign policy strategy, which he explained to Haldeman in 1968, in which he aimed to appear unpredictable and irrational to North Vietnam to gain leverage in negotiations

Question 3

Why did Nixon’s Madman Theory fail?

Answer 3

Ho Chi Minh was not moved by Nixon’s threats, even on his deathbed in August 1969

Question 4

What was Vietnamization?

Answer 4

A policy aiming to gradually shift the responsibility for combat operations from U.S. troops to the South Vietnamese forces, while reducing American troops in Vietnam

Question 5

How did Nixon get involved in Cambodia?

Answer 5

After a coup d’etat in the country, Nixon ordered secret bombing campaigns and later sending U.S. troops into Cambodia to disrupt North Vietnamese supply routes during the Vietnam War and destroy the Ho Chi Minh Trail

Question 6

What was the ARVN?

Answer 6

The South Vietnamese army

Question 7

How did Nixon end US involvement in the Vietnam War?

Answer 7

He pursued diplomatic efforts, including negotiations with North Vietnam, leading to the Paris Peace Accords of 1973, which formally ended U.S. involvement in the war

Question 8

What was Kissinger’s influence on US foreign policy?

Answer 8

• He worked very closely to Nixon, earing them the nickname ‘Nixinger’
• He emphasised the effective use of American power for the defence of national interests by negotiating directly with China and the ISSR

Question 9

How did Nixon get involved in China?

Answer 9

• Ping pong matches of the US team in Beijing
• Kissinger had a secret trip which led to China joining the UN in and taking Taiwa’s seat on the Securit Council in October 1971
• Nixon visited China in February 1972 (the first president to visit the PRC)

Question 10

How did Nixon get involved in the Soviet Union?

Answer 10

• He went to Moscow in May 1972 (First US president to visit the city) and signed SALT 1 and an Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty
• Brezhnev also visited Washington in 1973 and plans were discussed for the visits to become an annual event but Watergate ruined this