The spirit of cooperation between the United States and the Soviet Union that was begun by Richard Nixon ultimately came to an end due to a variety of factors. On the one hand, Nixon’s foreign policy of détente, or lessening of tensions between the two superpowers, was successful in establishing diplomatic relations and engaging in cooperative activities in areas such as arms control and space exploration. However, the spirit of cooperation was also undermined by the hard-line policies of both countries, the growing distrust between them, and the lack of progress on difficult issues such as human rights and the status of Berlin.
Nixon’s foreign policy of détente was successful in establishing diplomatic relations and engaging in cooperative activities. Nixon and his Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, initiated a number of initiatives designed to reduce tensions between the two countries, including the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, and the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project. These initiatives helped to improve relations between the two countries, and provided the foundation for further cooperation.
At the same time, however, the hard-line policies of both countries undermined the spirit of cooperation. Both countries continued to build up their nuclear arsenals and military forces, while taking a number of hostile stances towards each other. The Soviet Union in particular was hostile towards the United States, and the two countries were frequently at odds over issues such as the Middle East and the Cold War in general.
The growing distrust between the two countries was another significant factor in the end of the spirit of cooperation. The two countries had a long history of mistrust, and the Cold War did little to improve the situation. This mistrust was exacerbated by the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, and the United States’ response, which included the imposition of economic sanctions.
Finally, the lack of progress on difficult issues such as human rights and the status of Berlin also contributed to the end of the spirit of cooperation. Both countries were unwilling to make concessions on these issues, which further increased the distrust between them and made it difficult to make any progress.
Conclusion
The spirit of cooperation between the United States and the Soviet Union that was begun by Richard Nixon ultimately came to an end due to a variety of factors. Nixon’s foreign policy of détente was successful in establishing diplomatic relations and engaging in cooperative activities, but the hard-line policies of both countries, the growing distrust between them, and the lack of progress on difficult issues all contributed to its ultimate demise.