Lesson Plan
US National Archives

Docs Teach: Nixon Visits China: The Week That Changed the World

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this activity, students will analyze images from President Nixon's visit to China in 1972 to determine the sequence of events and learn more about American and Chinese cultural differences.
Website
PBS

Pbs: Nixon's China Game

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains articles about the people who were involved in the China-United States relations in the 70s. It has a biographical sketch on Nixon, and discusses his trip to China in 1972.
Website
Other

Nixon's China Visit and "Sino u.s. Joint Communique"

For Students 9th - 10th
The Chinese Government's official diplomatic history of the visit of President Nixon to China.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Tirangular Diplomacy: u.s., Ussr, and China

For Students 5th - 8th
A discussion about Richard Nixon's foreign policies and his idea of triangular diplomacy where he used the rivalries between the USSR and China for U.S. advantage.
Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Us History: 1945 1980: Richard Nixon as President

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about Nixon's presidency, including his strategy to get the United States out of the Vietnam War, his foreign policy maneuvers with China and the Soviet Union, and his fall from grace due to the Watergate scandal.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: The Presidency and the Cold War: Richard M. Nixon

For Students 9th - 10th
The National Portrait Gallery explores the actions of presidents in regard to the Cold War. Read about the so-called anti-Communist warrior, Richard M. Nixon, and his opening of relations with Communist China. Watch Nixon's speech about...
Article
PBS

Pbs: American Experience: Richard M. Nixon: Foreign Affairs

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview of the foreign policy of the Nixon administration with a focus on China, the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty with the U.S.S.R., and Vietnam.
Website
China State Council Information Office and the China International Publishing Group

Backgrounder: Nixon's 1972 "Ice Breaking" Visit to China

For Students 9th - 10th
This site discusses Nixon's 1972 visit to China and its lasting effects. There is a recent article reflecting on a significant historical event. Includes links to information about other presidents and their relationship with China.
Handout
Digital History

Digital History: Detente

For Students 9th - 10th
One of the most remarkable foreign policies of the 20th century, Nixon pursued detente in hopes of easing tensions with the Communist world.
Website
US National Archives

The Eagle and the Dragon: 1972 1978 the Bamboo Curtain

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a brief discussion of Nixon's 1972 visit to China. Also includes pictures from a museum exhibit to that period in history.
Graphic
Curated OER

Time Archives: Richard Nixon's Long March to Shanghai

For Students 9th - 10th
1972 Time magazine article written after Nixon's return from China. Discusses the events and future effects of the visit.
Handout
Country Studies US

Country Studies: Detente

For Students 9th - 10th
As the Vietnam War ended, President Richard Nixon's priority became pursuing better relations with the world's two largest communist superpowers, China and the Soviet Union.