Activity Overview
Nixon's domestic policies aimed to solve several issues including the Vietnam War and the relationships with China and the U.S.S.R. Using a spider map, students will outline, define, and explain the foreign policies initiated by Nixon during his presidency.
This activity serves as a great way to provide students with a background from which they can analyze and synthesize how Nixon conducted foreign affairs as a whole, including his role in the continuing Cold War. Teachers may pre-select which major policies define his foreign agenda. Below are some suggested topics that students can also select from.
Nixon's Foreign Policy Suggestions
- Realpolitik
- Détente with the U.S.S.R.
- Ping-Pong Diplomacy in China
- Henry Kissinger
- Limiting Nuclear Arms (SALT I)
- The Vietnam War
- Energy Crisis
Extended Activity
Have students create a 5 Ws spider map on one specific foreign policy. Students should define and explain the major points of why such policy was initiated, as well as what effect it had on the American government, public, and global relations. This will allow students to gain a deeper understanding of the effects of Nixon’s policies as a president, as well as place his actions into a broader historical and global context.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Activities
Create a spider map outlining the foreign policies Nixon initiated during his presidency.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In each title box, enter one of Nixon's foreign policies.
- In the description boxes, write a summary of the policy, its aims, and its effects.
- Create an illustration for each policy using appropriate scenes, items, and characters.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
Nixon's domestic policies aimed to solve several issues including the Vietnam War and the relationships with China and the U.S.S.R. Using a spider map, students will outline, define, and explain the foreign policies initiated by Nixon during his presidency.
This activity serves as a great way to provide students with a background from which they can analyze and synthesize how Nixon conducted foreign affairs as a whole, including his role in the continuing Cold War. Teachers may pre-select which major policies define his foreign agenda. Below are some suggested topics that students can also select from.
Nixon's Foreign Policy Suggestions
- Realpolitik
- Détente with the U.S.S.R.
- Ping-Pong Diplomacy in China
- Henry Kissinger
- Limiting Nuclear Arms (SALT I)
- The Vietnam War
- Energy Crisis
Extended Activity
Have students create a 5 Ws spider map on one specific foreign policy. Students should define and explain the major points of why such policy was initiated, as well as what effect it had on the American government, public, and global relations. This will allow students to gain a deeper understanding of the effects of Nixon’s policies as a president, as well as place his actions into a broader historical and global context.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Activities
Create a spider map outlining the foreign policies Nixon initiated during his presidency.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In each title box, enter one of Nixon's foreign policies.
- In the description boxes, write a summary of the policy, its aims, and its effects.
- Create an illustration for each policy using appropriate scenes, items, and characters.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about President Nixon\'s Foreign Policies
Incorporate primary sources to deepen analysis of Nixon’s foreign policies
Primary sources help students connect directly with historical events and perspectives, making their analysis more authentic and engaging.
Select accessible documents or speeches for student use
Choose short, relevant excerpts such as Nixon’s speeches on China, SALT I agreements, or news articles from the era to ensure students can read and understand the material independently.
Guide students in annotating and questioning sources
Encourage students to highlight key points and write questions or reactions in the margins, helping them engage critically with the text and connect it to their spider map.
Facilitate small-group discussions to interpret findings
Organize students into small groups to share their annotations, discuss differing interpretations, and collaboratively deepen their understanding of Nixon’s foreign policy decisions.
Connect primary sources to students’ spider maps
Have students cite specific evidence from the sources in their spider map descriptions, strengthening their analysis and linking firsthand accounts to each policy’s summary and impact.
Frequently Asked Questions about President Nixon\'s Foreign Policies
What were President Nixon's main foreign policies?
President Nixon's main foreign policies included Realpolitik, détente with the U.S.S.R., Ping-Pong Diplomacy with China, involvement in the Vietnam War, the SALT I nuclear arms agreement, and addressing the energy crisis. Each aimed to reshape America's global relationships during the Cold War.
How can students use a spider map to learn about Nixon's foreign policies?
Students can use a spider map by placing Nixon's foreign policies as main branches. For each branch, they summarize the policy, its goals, and its effects, and add illustrations. This visual organizer helps students analyze and connect key aspects of Nixon's international actions.
What is détente and how did Nixon use it with the U.S.S.R.?
Détente is the easing of strained relations between countries. Nixon pursued détente with the U.S.S.R. through diplomacy and arms limitation talks, notably the SALT I agreement, to reduce Cold War tensions and promote global stability.
Why is Ping-Pong Diplomacy important in Nixon's presidency?
Ping-Pong Diplomacy refers to the exchange of table tennis players between the U.S. and China, which paved the way for Nixon to open diplomatic relations with China. This shift significantly changed the global balance of power during the Cold War.
What are the steps for creating a lesson on Nixon’s foreign policy for high school students?
To create a lesson: 1. Select key Nixon foreign policies. 2. Have students research and summarize each policy’s aims and effects. 3. Use a spider map for organization. 4. Include activities like illustration or 5 Ws analysis to deepen understanding.
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