Kansas to the Kremlin: Richard Nixon, Presidential Persuasion, and the Selling of Détente at Home and Abroad
Amerio, Avery J.
Amerio, Avery J.
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Abstract
"From Kansas to the Kremlin" investigates Richard Nixon’s unique use of presidential persuasion powers through informal diplomacy. This paper seeks to reconsider contemporary thought surrounding Richard Nixon as an American president. As divisive political figure, Nixon persists in historical scholarship as an awkward, unsure, and insecure politician. However, Nixon persuaded the Soviet Union to sign two bilateral arms agreements, and got a Democratic congress to support him, which conveyed his strength in the powers of persuasion. His predecessors struggled to do what Nixon did. How did Nixon’s personality and deep knowledge of his political role allow him to come out on top? As this paper will reveal, his personality, prior political experience, and use of alternative forms of diplomacy was central to his success in the domestic and foreign spheres.
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Submitted to the Department of History of the University of Kansas in partial fulfillment of the requirements for departmental honors.
Date
2024-04-18
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Department of History, University of Kansas