| In this thesis, I will explore relations between the United States of America and the People's Republic of China from 1972 to 1979. The primary research questions are "What was the significance of U.S.-PRC relations from the Shanghai Communique to normalization?," "How did the approaches U.S. presidential administrations factor into U.S.-PRC relations?," and "did the U.S. or PRC achieve some or all of the results they sought in developing U.S.-PRC relations after the Shanghai Communique?" The results of my research led to the conclusions that unofficial relations developed from 1972 to 1979 were crucial to founding, sustaining, and advancing U.S.-PRC relations. A cautious approach to advancing relations by Dr. Henry Kissinger ultimate achieved fewer results than the more broadly coordinated diplomacy conducted by the Carter Administration. The substantive basis of future U.S.-PRC relations was formed from 1972 to 1979 through liaison offices, exchanges, and trade. |
