20th Century

Diplomacy and Conspiracy: President Nixon's Trip to China & Watergate Burglary

In the depths of the Cold War, America fixated on the Soviet Union as the ultimate enemy of the free world. But China, Communist since its 1949 revolution, was not always a slumbering giant that could be overlooked. In 1972, in the greatest foreign policy triumph of his administration and one of the high points of American diplomacy in the century President Nixon visited the People's Republic, ending a long freeze between the two nations. But just a few months after his triumphant return, his administration was in a shambles, undone by the Watergate scandal.

• Beijing
• CIA
• Chiang Kai Shek
• Chou En Lai
• Democratic National Committee
• FBI
• Mao Tse Tung
• Richard M. Nixon
• Taiwan/Formosa
• Watergate
• communism
• conspiracy
• diplomacy
• impeachment
• imperialism
• indictment
• paranoia
• resignation

Discussion Questions

1. What did we know about China in the 1970's? Why did Nixon decide to visit China in 1972? What was the significance of this trip?

2. Who was Mao Tse Tung? What was the little red book? Who was Chou En Lai?

3. What was the role of women in communist China? What was the role of foot binding?

4. From watching the video, what are some of the differences you see between China and the United States? What are some differences between a democratic, capitalist nation, such as the United States and a communist nation such as China?

5. What was the relationship between Taiwan and China in the 1970s? Today?

6. How did Nixon's trip to China effect Nixon's popularity? What was important about the fact that Nixon's visit coincided with prime time news in the US? Why is it important that Nixon's trip to China occurred in an election year?

7. How did the Vietnam War effect Nixon's popularity? Why was Vietnam considered a foreign policy problem? Why did the US begin withdrawing troops in 1969? What happened during Nixon's inauguration in 1972?

8. Who were the Watergate Plumbers? What was their origin? What was the role of the Committee to Re-elect the President during Nixon's second term? How did they effect Muskee's popularity?

9. Why did people break into the Democratic National Committee office? How many break-ins were there? How were they found out?

10. What was the role of the press in politics before, during and after the Watergate crisis? Who is Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein? How did reporters figure out this was not your average burglary?

11. What were the roles of the CIA and FBI in the Watergate investigations?

12. Who was

13. How did Nixon get re-elected to the Presidency the following Fall? Why did it take so long for the reporters' story to get out?

Extended Activities

1. Draw a map of China, including cities, rivers, mountains and seas. Include a detailed map of the city of Beijing including tourist sites Nixon visited.

2. What is the history of diplomatic relations between the US and China? Make a timeline of these events. Choose one event and describe its significance.

3. What is the role of the Press in politics today? Do you think they play an important role in politics? What are some positive and negative aspects of press involvement in politics?

4. How did Nixon violate his oath of office? Why do you think he made huge strides in Sino-American relations yet involved himself in illegal actions that led to the Watergate crisis?

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