The

The In February 1972, President Richard M. Nixon shocked the world when he traveled to the People's Republic of China.

Remember, China had been closed off for over two decades from the rest of the world when he traveled to the People's Republic of China. Remember, China had been closed off

for over two decades from the rest of the world, and many saw them as espousing a radical

version of communism, one that was even more dangerous than that espoused by the Soviet Union.

Richard Nixon had risen to the presidency with a reputation as a stern anti-communist,

and yet he became the first American president to visit the People's Republic of China.

It was a historic moment as the leader of the world's most powerful capitalist democratic country

met Mao Zedong, the communist dictator of the most

populous country in the world. By this time, the former anti-communist firebrand, Richard Nixon,

now saw himself as a statesman who would usher in a new era of peace. He had said in his first

inaugural address that the greatest title that history

could bestow was that of peacemaker. And when Richard Nixon returned from the People's Republic

of China, he believed that he had attained that very title. In this speech, Richard Nixon had

just returned from China and arrived at Andrew's Air Force Base

and was greeted by a crowd and Vice President Spiro Agnew. He is at the peak of his diplomatic powers

and at the pinnacle of his presidency. As you listen to this speech, think about how President Richard Nixon believed

that he was ushering a new age of peace and a new foreign policy for the United States, one based

on realism and coexistence with the communist powers. Many of America's allies in the region,

like Taiwan and Japan, were concerned

that President Nixon's opening to China would mean a reduced commitment from the United States.

Listen to how President Nixon tries to assuage their fears and reinforce America's commitment to

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