Cristina+G.

=**May 10, 2010 - Preliminary research**=

Please post the following items:

Nixon and China "The week that changed the world"- a phrase often used to refer to U.S. President Nixon's visit to the Peoples Republic of China on February 21, 1972. Although a simple visit to a foreign country may not seem like such a big deal now-a-days, it was an event of great importance during that time period. The aftermath brought in by World War II left many damages, not only in a physical aspect, but also in an emotional one to all the countries involved. The United States in particular suffered from great losses, and conflicts amongst other foreign nations involved in the war became inevitable. China happened to be one of those countries in which the United States failed to conserve a strong relationship with. Because of their communistic views and problems over territory, China viewed the democratic U.S. as one of its greatest foes. Nixon began to focus on mending these relationships, and therefore set out to make things better by paying a visit to the Peoples Republic of China. This visit was of great importance, and was later popularized based on the fact that China was considered such a great enemy of the U.S. and Nixon was the first president to visit the country. As a result of President Nixon's visit to China in 1972, U.S. foreign relations improved, eased any previous tensions between the U.S. and the PRC, and demonstrated great amounts of public involvement from both sides as well as popularizing new forms of media and communication. As stated before, the United States had a very rough time making friends after World War II and the Cold War. China and the Soviet Union were two countries that ended up in the worst terms with the United States as a result of these wars. The Soviets were angered by the turn out of the war because they ended up loosing lives, territory, money, and ultimately power. The Peoples Republic of China wanted to continue with their communism, something that the U.S. and president Nixon (at the beginning of his term) were against. But such a distant and cold relationship between the U.S. and P.R.C. can not be blamed solemnly on wars. The United States had a long history of rocky relationships, especially with an isolated China. In a way, the Cold War can be considered the climax of U.S. involvement with China. After Nixon’s seven day visit, many issues between both countries were resolved and others were better yet just left alone. During the meetings, they tried to establish goals for what the two nations would like to accomplish together. They established clear understandings on where they stood in regards to territory, and their mutual awareness of the Soviet threats. There was no clear evidence as to what was exactly discussed during these meetings, but information was later released to the public in 1999. This visit many not have literally changed the world, but it did change a few things for the U.S. and it relationship with China, and future foreign relations. Before president Nixon had ever set foot in Beijing, tensions were running high between both countries. Both the U. S. and P.R.C. had many apposing views that people would have never expected future compromise from. The U.S. was a strong supporter of democracy, while China led in a communistic way. There was no hope for a light at the end of this tunnel; that is until President Nixon's visit. His visit began with an unexpected audience with Chairman Mao Zedong at the leader's home. Much was discussed, but their main goal was to settle conflict, and from the looks of it, Nixon achieved his goal. After a modest reception at Peking airport, the president was formally welcomed at a lavish banquet held in the Great Hall of the People hosted by Prime Minister Chou En-lai. Throughout the week, when not meeting with Chou and Chinese officials, Nixon attended cultural and athletic performances and more banquets, and toured such architectural and artistic treasures as the Forbidden City, Ming Tombs, and the Great Wall of China. This week visit would later become a very significant event in history because it helped mend any remaining tension between both countries through compromise and acceptance. Of such an important event, the public did not miss a thing! During this time period, advancements in technology had already begun to sore; some that would help communications expand and improve. No longer would the people in America have to read about Nixon’s visit days in China after it actually happened, but instead they were able to see it as it was happening! Cameras were everywhere, was soon as Nixon’s plane landed in Beijing. Americans faithfully followed every event that took place during Nixon’s seven day visit, and to those places, in which no cameras were allowed, people stayed attentive to any reports released by the media or news broadcasts. It is thanks to those innovations that we now still have pictures, video clips, recordings, and other primary sources of the infamous visit of President Nixon to the Peoples Republic of China.
 * Rough Draft**

I. As a result of president Nixon's visit to China in 1972, U.S. foreign relations improved, eased any previous tensions between the U.S. and the PRC, and demonstrated great amounts of public involvement from both sides as well as popularizing new forms of media and communication.** A. Intro to the Scene: Nixon's arrival in China B. Background Info: History behind rocky relations between both countries C. Importance of event: why this event was so important in history D. Thesis E. Transition into general U.S. forgein relations A. Brief summary of U.S. foreign realtions during that time period based on historical events B. "Allies" C. "Enemies" D. U.S. previous history with China up to this point E. How the visit to China changed these relations A. Run through of the arrival B. Followed by the reast of the events that visit C. Symbolism behind the visit D. How this event helped ease tension between countries A. Intro to technology during that time period B. Technology for communication C. How the technology helped the public get involved D. Examples of the involvement in comparison to previous important events
 * Outline
 * II. U.S. foreign affairs**
 * III. Eased Tensions**
 * IV. Increase in Public Involvement**
 * V. As a result of president Nixon's visit to China in 1972, U.S. foreign relations improved, eased any previous tensions between the U.S. and the PRC, and demonstrated great amounts of public involvement from both sides as well as popularizing new forms of media and communication.**

As a result of president Nixon's visit to China in 1972, U.S. foreign relations improved, eased any previous tensions between the U.S. and the PRC (Peoples Republic of China), and demonstrated great amounts of public involvement from both sides as well as popularizing new forms of media and communication.
 * Working thesis** statement**:**


 * Working bibliography:**
 * ====Black, Conrad. //Richard M. Nixon: A Life in Full//. New York: PublicAffairs, 2007.====
 * ====Crowley, Monica. //Nixon In Winter//. New York, NY: I.B. Tauris Co Ltd, 1998.====
 * ====Ebrey, Patricia Buckley. //The Cambridge Illustrated History of China (Cambridge Illustrated Histories)//. 2nd edition ed. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2010.====
 * ====Macmillan, Margaret. //Nixon and Mao: The Week That Changed the World//. New York: Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2008.====
 * ===="Nixon's Trip to China." //The George Washington University//. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2010. .====
 * ===="The American Experience | Nixon's China Game | The Nixon Visit." //PBS//. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2010. .====

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