American Experience - Nixon Visits China

Yesterday, while planning a unit about China-US relations for my global studies class I rediscovered the American Experience videos about Richard Nixon. Through PBS Video it is possible to watch the whole series or just a segment of the series. I'm planning to use the seven minute segment about Nixon's trip to China in 1972. You can watch the segment below.

Watch the full episode. See more American Experience.

Applications for Education

American Experience suggests a simple scrapbooking activity as a follow-up to watching this video. While that activity is probably good for middle school students, it's a little too simplistic for my high school juniors and seniors. I'm currently developing an activity in which we'll be watching the segment then analyzing and comparing its influence in Cold War relations with that of post Cold War diplomatic relations.