Who was responsible for the policy of détente with the Soviet Union?

Richard Nixon was instrumental in the policy of détente, a strategic shift in U.S. foreign policy aimed at easing tensions with the Soviet Union during the Cold War. This approach marked a transition from the earlier confrontational stance of containment. Détente involved negotiations, diplomacy, and various agreements aimed at reducing the risk of nuclear conflict and fostering a more stable geopolitical climate.

Under Nixon's administration, significant milestones were achieved, such as the signing of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) and the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. These agreements sought to limit the arms race and establish frameworks for dialogue between the superpowers. Nixon's visits to China and the Soviet Union were key moments in this diplomatic strategy, expanding the scope of international relations and altering the dynamics of Cold War politics.

In contrast, leaders like Lyndon B. Johnson maintained a more aggressive stance during the Vietnam War, while Ronald Reagan later shifted back towards a more confrontational approach, particularly in his second term. Harry S. Truman, the president after World War II, was primarily focused on containing Soviet influence and did not engage in the policies associated with détente, which came later in the Cold War era.