Luke A. Nichter. Richard Nixon and Europe

Richard Nixon’s initiatives toward the People’s Republic of China and the Soviet Union marked his foreign policy. His responses to these particular communist powers and the Vietnam War have been widely researched, resulting in numerous publications. Yet, Nixon’s policies toward Western Europe have received less attention. Richard Nixon and Europe: The Reshaping of the Postwar Atlantic World adds to our understanding of the transatlantic relationship from 1969 to 1975. When Nixon assumed office, relations with Western Europe were strained and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was in disarray. The president was determined to improve the relationship with America’s European partners and revive NATO. The “Nixon Doctrine” outlined what this partnership entailed: the Europeans were expected to assume greater responsibilities in their own defense, monetary, economic, and political affairs. As Luke A. Nichter’s book shows, Nixon accomplished that goal but in ways unforeseen in 1969. In February 1969, Nixon successfully toured Europe in order to listen to European concerns and devise better venues of consultation and cooperation. NATO was Nixon’s top priority. Not only did its members have to bear a greater share of defense costs, but they also had to address social and environmental issues. The resulting Committee on the Challenges of Modern Society (CCMS) proved to be a lasting and successful endeavor of NATO.

China · Communism · Economic history · Foreign policy · General partnership · North Atlantic Treaty · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Transatlantic relations · Treaty · Historical Studies and Socio-cultural Analysis · History · Law · Vietnamese History and Culture Studies