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Why did the United States and Soviet Union Reach Detente During the Cold War

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==Opening Relations with China==
[[File:Mao_Nixon.jpeg|thumbnail|300px|Nixon's famous visit to Beijing in February 1972.]]
The emergence of China on the geopolitical scene almost created a tri-polar world. China by the end of the 1960s did not fall in the Soviet camp and Mao believed that the U.S.S.R. was adulterating Communist ideology. The U.S. refused to recognize the People's Republic since its victory in the Chinese Civil War in 1949. Chinese involvement against United Nations forces in the Korean War also deepened mistrust. However, this changed by the early 1970s. The two countries exchanged friendly ping-pong athletes for exhibition games, which evolved into deeper and deeper talks. Nixon had fostered such talks since his first term began in 1969 but by 1971 National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger traveled secretly to Beijing to begin talks of a deeper thaw. <ref>DeVoss, David, "Ping-Pong Diplomacy." Washington: Smithsonian Magazine, April 2002.</ref>
[[File:Mao_Nixon.jpeg|thumbnail|300px|Nixon's famous visit to Beijing in February 1972.]] In July 1971 Nixon shocked audiences in both the United States and Soviet Union by announcing that he was visiting China. In February 1972 he made the journey and had a cordial meeting with Mao. The United States also recognized China, allowing the PRC to take Taiwan's seat at the United Nations. Shortly thereafter full diplomatic and commercial ties were established. Presidents Nixon, Ford, and Carter attempted to use this as leverage to smooth relations further. Under the guise of improved relations and further local diplomacy, the United States removed combat troops from Vietnam in 1973.
==Conclusion==
Retrieved from "https://dailyhistory.org/Special:MobileDiff/1989"

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