Nixon Visits China
Finding a Sequence
All documents and text associated with this activity are printed below, followed by a worksheet for student responses.Introduction
How important are U.S.-China relations today? Are you using or wearing products made in China right now?It may be hard to imagine, but after China became a communist nation in 1949, the U.S. wouldn't recognize the new government for over 20 years. Communism was considered such a threat that U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles refused to even shake hands with Chinese leaders in 1954. President Nixon's decision to visit China and improve relations was one of his most important accomplishments, and was carefully planned.
Analyze these images and put them in the order they happened to learn more about the "week that changed the world."
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Worksheet
Nixon Visits China
Finding a Sequence
Examine the documents in this activity. Put the corresponding document numbers in order using the list below. Write your conclusion response in the space provided.1
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Activity Element
Nixon and Chou En-Lai speaking at a banquet
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2
Activity Element
Young girl dressed in soldier attire at the arrival of the press plane in Peking, China
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3
Activity Element
Menu from Dinner Given During President Nixon's Visit to Peking, China
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4
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Arrival of Air Force One in Peking
Page 2
5
Activity Element
Ballet scene at the Great Hall of the People attended by President and Mrs. Nixon during their trip to Peking, China
Page 1
6
Activity Element
Crowds at a sports performance
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7
Activity Element
President Nixon meets with China's Communist Party Leader, Mao Tse- Tung
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8
Activity Element
President and Mrs. Nixon's arrival in Peking, China. Nixon reviewing troops at the airport.
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9
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President and Mrs. Nixon visit the Great Wall of China and the Ming tombs
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10
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Photograph of President Richard Nixon and Premier Chou En-lai
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11
Activity Element
President Nixon and members of the press in Shanghai
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Conclusion
Nixon Visits China
Finding a Sequence
President and Mrs. Nixon's visit to China made global headlines.- Why do you think the world was so interested in this visit?
- Which countries do you think had the most to gain?
- Which nations may have had the most to lose?
- What new aspects of Chinese culture do you think President Nixon learned about during the trip?
- Which do you think he saw as different or similar to life in America at that time?
Your Response
Document
Menu from Dinner Given During President Nixon's Visit to Peking, China
2/1972
This menu was printed for a formal dinner hosted by President Richard Nixon and Mrs. Nixon for Chinese Premier Chou En-lai during the President’s trip to Beijing in February 1972. The formal visit launched improved relations between the United States and China after decades of the Cold War.
This primary source comes from the Collection RN-SMOF: White House Staff Member and Office Files (Nixon Administration).
National Archives Identifier: 595300
Full Citation: Menu from Dinner Given During President Nixon's Visit to Peking, China; 2/1972; Collection RN-SMOF: White House Staff Member and Office Files (Nixon Administration), . [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/menu-nixon-china, September 10, 2024]Menu from Dinner Given During President Nixon's Visit to Peking, China
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Document
Young girl dressed in soldier attire at the arrival of the press plane in Peking, China
2/21/1972
Pictured: Young girl pictured is not identified. Subject: Trip to China II.
This primary source comes from the Collection RN-WHPO: White House Photo Office Collection (Nixon Administration).
National Archives Identifier: 194411
Full Citation: Young girl dressed in soldier attire at the arrival of the press plane in Peking, China; 2/21/1972; Collection RN-WHPO: White House Photo Office Collection (Nixon Administration), . [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/young-girl-soldier-attire, September 10, 2024]Young girl dressed in soldier attire at the arrival of the press plane in Peking, China
Page 1
Document
President Nixon meets with China's Communist Party Leader, Mao Tse- Tung
2/29/1972
Pictured: Mao Tse-Tung, President Richard M. Nixon. Subject: Trip to China.
This primary source comes from the Collection RN-WHPO: White House Photo Office Collection (Nixon Administration).
National Archives Identifier: 194759
Full Citation: President Nixon meets with China's Communist Party Leader, Mao Tse- Tung; 2/29/1972; Collection RN-WHPO: White House Photo Office Collection (Nixon Administration), . [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/nixon-mao, September 10, 2024]President Nixon meets with China's Communist Party Leader, Mao Tse- Tung
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Document
Ballet scene at the Great Hall of the People attended by President and Mrs. Nixon during their trip to Peking, China
2/22/1972
Pictured: members of the ballet company. Subject: Trip to China.
This primary source comes from the Collection RN-WHPO: White House Photo Office Collection (Nixon Administration).
National Archives Identifier: 194416
Full Citation: Ballet scene at the Great Hall of the People attended by President and Mrs. Nixon during their trip to Peking, China; 2/22/1972; Collection RN-WHPO: White House Photo Office Collection (Nixon Administration), . [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/ballet-scene-peking, September 10, 2024]Ballet scene at the Great Hall of the People attended by President and Mrs. Nixon during their trip to Peking, China
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Document
President Nixon and members of the press in Shanghai
2/28/1972
Pictured: members of the press, President Richard Nixon, members of the press. Subject: Trip to China.
This primary source comes from the Collection RN-WHPO: White House Photo Office Collection (Nixon Administration).
National Archives Identifier: 194428
Full Citation: President Nixon and members of the press in Shanghai; 2/28/1972; Collection RN-WHPO: White House Photo Office Collection (Nixon Administration), . [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/nixon-press-shanghai, September 10, 2024]President Nixon and members of the press in Shanghai
Page 1
Document
Arrival of Air Force One in Peking
2/21/1972
Subject: Trip to China II.
This primary source comes from the Collection RN-WHPO: White House Photo Office Collection (Nixon Administration).
National Archives Identifier: 194412
Full Citation: Arrival of Air Force One in Peking; 2/21/1972; Collection RN-WHPO: White House Photo Office Collection (Nixon Administration), . [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/air-force-one-peking, September 10, 2024]Arrival of Air Force One in Peking
Page 2
Document
Nixon and Chou En-Lai speaking at a banquet
2/21/1972
Pictured: Richard M. Nixon, Chou En-Lai. Subject: Nixon's trip to China.
This primary source comes from the Collection RN-WHPO: White House Photo Office Collection (Nixon Administration).
National Archives Identifier: 194410
Full Citation: Nixon and Chou En-Lai speaking at a banquet; 2/21/1972; Collection RN-WHPO: White House Photo Office Collection (Nixon Administration), . [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/nixon-chou-en-lai-banquet, September 10, 2024]Nixon and Chou En-Lai speaking at a banquet
Page 1
Document
President and Mrs. Nixon's arrival in Peking, China. Nixon reviewing troops at the airport.
2/21/1972
This photograph shows President and Mrs. Nixon's Arrival in Peking, China. Pictured are First Lady Pat Nixon, President Richard M. Nixon, Premier Chou En-Lai, troops, and others.
This primary source comes from the Collection RN-WHPO: White House Photo Office Collection (Nixon Administration).
National Archives Identifier: 194414
Full Citation: Photograph NLRN-WHPO-C8501-09A; President and Mrs. Nixon's arrival in Peking, China. Nixon reviewing troops at the airport.; 2/21/1972; Nixon White House Photographs, 1/20/1969 - 8/9/1974; Collection RN-WHPO: White House Photo Office Collection (Nixon Administration), ; Richard Nixon Library, Yorba Linda, CA. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/nixon-reviewing-troops, September 10, 2024]President and Mrs. Nixon's arrival in Peking, China. Nixon reviewing troops at the airport.
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Document
Crowds at a Sports Performance
2/23/1972
Pictured: members of the Chinese military (no names are provided). Subject: Trip to China.
This primary source comes from the Collection RN-WHPO: White House Photo Office Collection (Nixon Administration).
National Archives Identifier: 194418
Full Citation: Crowds at a Sports Performance; 2/23/1972; Collection RN-WHPO: White House Photo Office Collection (Nixon Administration), . [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/crowds-sports-performance, September 10, 2024]Crowds at a Sports Performance
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Document
President and Mrs. Nixon visit the Great Wall of China and the Ming tombs
2/24/1972
This primary source comes from the Collection RN-WHPO: White House Photo Office Collection (Nixon Administration).
National Archives Identifier: 194421
Full Citation: President and Mrs. Nixon visit the Great Wall of China and the Ming tombs; 2/24/1972; Collection RN-WHPO: White House Photo Office Collection (Nixon Administration), . [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/president-and-mrs-nixon-visit-the-great-wall-of-china-and-the-ming-tombs, September 10, 2024]President and Mrs. Nixon visit the Great Wall of China and the Ming tombs
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Document
Photograph of President Richard Nixon and Premier Chou En-lai
2/21/1972
This primary source comes from the Collection RN-WHPO: White House Photo Office Collection (Nixon Administration).
National Archives Identifier: 194409
Full Citation: Photograph of President Richard Nixon and Premier Chou En-lai; 2/21/1972; Collection RN-WHPO: White House Photo Office Collection (Nixon Administration), . [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/nixon-chou-enlai, September 10, 2024]Photograph of President Richard Nixon and Premier Chou En-lai
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