Johnson Administration’s Policy Toward Romania (1964-1968)

During the period of Johnson Administration, the United States put forward "Bridge-Building" policy and treated differently among the Eastern European countries and areas, and Romania became the other county which was valued by the U.S. government after Yugoslavia and Poland. This dissertation mainly discusses America’s policy to Romania during the period of Johnson Administration. In general, America’s policy to Romania was still within the framework of its policy to Eastern European countries, but the U.S. administrations’ policies toward Romania were always developing and changing. At first, the U.S. administration viewed Romania as a satellite of the Soviet Union, and then it changed its attitude and viewed Romania as an independent country and formulated its policy to this country, which was different from other Eastern European countries. The main reason for this change lied in the differences and conflicts between Romania and the Soviet Union in the1960s, and Romania pursued an "independent" road in international affairs, which exactly catered to Johnson’s "Bridge-Building" policy to Eastern Europe. As a result, the U.S. administration chose Romania as a "Wedge" to differentiate the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe Group, and they took policy to Romania, which was different from other Eastern Europe countries. They even provided nuclear technical assistance to Romania, which was shocking so much. Even though, there were limitations during Johnson Administration’s policy toward Romania, and Romania’s struggle for most-favored-nation finally failed during his tenure of office was the best description.