We started with harris' presentation on the Berlin wall.
The wall separated East and West Berlin.
Included guard towers along a largee concrete wall which circumcised a large open area.
THis was later referred to as the Death Strip.
There were also anti vehicle trenches, fakir beds and many other defenses.
One side of the berlin wall was communist where you were controlled by the government.
and the other side you were free.
In 1989 after a series of radical political changes in eastern bloc, things began to change.
After weeks of unrest, the east german governments announced on November 9, 1989, that immigration to west Germany and Berlin was permitted.
The final piece of the wall was officially removed on October 3, 1990.
THen Tara went and she talked about Nixon's visit to China.
Background. After WWII, america's and Soviet Union's relationship deteriorated.
Soviet Union went after countries on the edge of commnism, like china.
America felt communism would be the downfall of schools or labor unions.
Nixon was the first president to visit china.
He arrived in China in February 21-28. Met with Chairman Mao for the only time.
Secretary of state william rogers was excluded from the meeting.
Only other american nation security council staffer winston lord.
Other visits.
Also met with Chinese premier zhou Enlai many times throughout the week.
Visited great wall.
Government issued the shanghai communique
Both nations pledged to work toward the full normalization of diplomatic relations.
US also intended to pull all its fores out of Taiwan.
Results of the trip...
Enabled the US and PRC to temporarily set aside the crucial question obstructiing the normalization of relatios concerning taiwan's status.
US maintained official relations with the Republic of China in Taiwan until 1979.
US broke off relations with the Republic of China and established full diplomatic relatings with the PRC.
America's Reaction...
Relevised for eight days.
many books were written about it.
Max Frankel of New York Times recieved Pulitzer Prize.
Inspired John Adams opera nixon in china.
Detente...
It is a period of relaxation.
It is a french word meaning release of tensions.
It was hoped that this would beuild new relationships.
china wanted to go into detente because they were scared of what the USA had done in the vietnam.
The pile of weapons that they had was a lot smaller than the USA's.
Was worried about making the relationship between USSR and CHina.
USSR.
Living conditions were poor because of spending tons of money on weaponsat the expence of basic household goods.
Aware of the decreasing relationship with china.
Knew that USA was trying to improve their relationship with China.
USA.
Realized that there were better ways to contain communism that what had been done previously.
Was aware of how expensive the cost of weapon production and keeping a huge armed forces was.
Peaceful relationship with USSR would be benificial.
Salt 1.
Is the alternate name for strategic arms limitation talks agreement.
It stopped the number of ballistic missile launchers that already existed.
Provided for new submarin launched ballistic missile launchers.
These would be provided only if the same number of older inercontinental ballistic missiles and SLBM launchers had been deactivated.
One rule in the treaty required both countries to limit amount of sites protected by an anti-ballistic millile systme.
Salt II
Created a treaty that was never ratified by the US senate. replaced the short term agreement with a long term comprehensive treaty.
Providing many limits on strategic offensive weapon systems.
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