STILL NEED HELP
In the late 1960s, Mao Zedong established diplomatic relations with the United States since the Soviet Union and China were at odds. In response, the Soviet Union became better acquainted with America. In a paragraph of 125+ words, explain why the Soviet Union suddenly wanted to become better "friends" with the United States just because China had.

Question

STILL NEED HELP
In the late 1960s, Mao Zedong established diplomatic relations with the United States since the Soviet Union and China were at odds. In response, the Soviet Union became better acquainted with America. In a paragraph of 125+ words, explain why the Soviet Union suddenly wanted to become better "friends" with the United States just because China had.

aspenmurillo · Answer

you've been typing a long time @wwhitlock lol

wwhitlock · Answer

Wow! There is a lot to explain here. Here are the basics. 
Chinese Communism started to break with the Soviets early in 1960s. Most of the world didn't realize how bad it was. 
US spy planes picked up military activity on an island in the middle of a river along the Chinese-Soviet border in 1969. President Nixon saw an opportunity. Secretary of State Kissinger began secret negotiations with the Chinese which resulted in a surprise announcement in both countries that they would normalize relations between the two countries. Nixon visited Peking in 1972. (That's when the chinese let us know that Beijing is a better spelling.

Ok, what's this got to do with Russia.
Russia was seen as the major Communist power at the time. Now China is gaining legitimacy. One big change was the Big China got the seat in the UN. Little China (Taiwan) had the seat up til then. This is one of the 5 veto seats. Russia, US, France and Great Britain have the others. It's a big deal.
So Russia is diminished in power as China ascends. China starts to have influence in Third World countries. China is seen as peacemakers. China plays a role in the end of the Vietnam conflict. Chinese trades with more and more of the world.
Russia sees the writing on the wall. They can't afford to be the seen as the hardline Communist. They lose out militarily, economically, and all kinds of otherly unless they put on a nice face and come up with something. So then we got Detente and missile treaties and eventually the fall of the Soviet Union

aspenmurillo · Answer

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

wwhitlock · Answer

Sorry it took so long. I know way too much about this topic.