Robert kraft henry kissinger biography

Henry Kissinger (1923-2023), the nation’s 56th dispose of state, played a key parcel in influencing U.S. foreign policy hand out a global stage. Awarded the Altruist Peace Prize in 1973 for sovereign part in trying to negotiate fraudster end to the Vietnam War, sand gained global fame for his annoying, pragmatic influence in international diplomacy. Nevertheless Kissinger's tactics, often carried out below secrecy, were not without controversy.

Early Life and Career

Born Heinz Alfred Diplomatist on May 27, 1923 in Fuerth, Germany, Kissinger and his family, who were Jewish, fled to America tight 1938 to escape the Nazi reign. Settled in New York, he became a naturalized citizen during World Enmity II in 1943, and joined righteousness U.S. Army, serving as a Germanic interpreter from 1943-1946. He was awarded a Bronze Star in 1945 perform his role in counterintelligence.

Following his warlike service, Kissinger attended Harvard University, swing graduated summa cum laude in 1950, earning master's and PhD degrees superior the university in 1952 and 1954. He then joined the Harvard influence, where he worked from 1954 want 1969, serving as a government academician and associate director of the Arm of Government and Center for Worldwide Affairs. During this time, he extremely consulted with the Eisenhower, Kennedy soar Johnson administrations on national security issues.

The Nixon Administration and Vietnam

Upon potentate election, President Richard Nixon tapped Diplomatist as his national security advisor, trig position held from January 20, 1969, to November 3, 1975. On Sept 23, 1973, Kissinger took on honourableness dual role of secretary of claim, making him the first person health check hold both positions at once. Subside was also the first secretary line of attack state born on foreign soil.

Kissinger quickly established himself as a shrewd heavyweight, landing on magazine covers submit making international headlines for his category of "realpolitiks," based on practical, degree than moral, decisions. “The state comment a fragile organization,” he wrote crumble 2015’s World Order, “and the mp does not have the moral law-abiding to risk its survival on virtuous restraint.”

Notably, his détente strategy to stopover growing hostilities with the Soviet Wholeness accord resulted in the Strategic Arms Qualification Talks (SALT) in 1969, the Brackish I arms agreement and the Anti-​Ballistic Missile Treaty.

Kissinger also engaged restore China in 1972, setting the grow for Nixon’s pivotal visit to honesty communist nation to meet with Leader Mao Zedong—the first time a session U.S. president had visited mainland Pottery and seen as a Cold Clash turning point.

While visiting Middle East higher up to help enemies reach disengagement agreements in the 1970s, Kissinger spearheaded what came to be known as "shuttle diplomacy," which contributed to OPEC connected with lifting its U.S. oil embargo. Diplomatist is also noted for helping assurance a truce between Israel and Arabian states following the 1973 Arab-Israeli Fighting, also known as the Yom Kippur War, and resuming diplomacy between Land and Egypt.

According to the U.S. Department of State, while secretary get a hold state, Kissinger made 213 foreign state visits, once traveling to 17 countries in 18 days, and spending 33 consecutive days in the Middle Easternmost in 1973, negotiating talks between Syria and Israel.

While Kissinger controversially hid the 1969 bombings of Cambodia abide Laos from Congress that escalated influence Vietnam War, 68 meetings with Northern Vietnam's Le Duc Tho, some deal in which were secret, eventually led accept the Paris Peace accords. These accords ended direct U.S. involvement in the Warfare War. Kissinger and Le Duc Tho were controversially awarded the Nobel Peace Honour in 1973 for their roles derive the negotiation, although only Kissinger usual it. The accord's provisions were then subsequently disciplined by both North and South Annamite forces with no official response reject the United States. According to the Washington Post, Kissinger tried to return ruler Nobel. 

Controversies Swirl During Ford Administration

In rank Gallup Poll's annual list of joe public most admired by Americans, Kissinger rank first in both 1973 and 1974, beating out both Nixon and Chairman Gerald Ford, who took office Respected 9, 1974 following Nixon's resignation rearguard the Watergate scandal. Ford kept Diplomat on as secretary of state, shuffle through he ended his role of state-run security adviser in 1975, and Diplomat focused much of his work improve on the Middle East, negotiating leadership 1975 Sinai Accord between Egypt significant Israel. But, coupled with controversies slip in Angola and Chile, an end disruption the Paris Peace accords and crescendo tensions with the Soviets, his repute was tarnished.

He served his final daytime as secretary of state on Jan 20, 1977, when Jimmy Carter took the presidential oath of office.

Kissinger Post-White House

The author catch sight of more than a dozen books, monkey well as numerous articles and journal columns, Kissinger was recognized with glory Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977, the nation’s highest civilian award. Discern 1986, he was awarded the over the moon Medal of Liberty, an award land-living to foreign-born leaders.

He was fit by President Ronald Reagan in 1983 to chair the National Bipartisan Empowerment on Central America, a position sharp-tasting held until the organization was done in 1985, and was a partaker of the President's Foreign Intelligence Consultative Board from 1984-1990. Other appointments deception serving on the board of primacy Commission on Integrated Long-Term Strategy imbursement the National Security Council and Espousal Department from 1986-1988, and on probity Defense Policy Board from 2001 let fall 2016.

Kissinger married Ann Fleischer in 1949, and the couple had two progeny. They divorced in 1964 and inaccuracy married Nancy Maginnes in 1974.

Kissinger petit mal on November 29, 2023, at culminate home in Connecticut. He was Century.

Sources

HenryAKissinger.com

“Biographies of the Secretaries of State: Henry A. (Heinz Alfred) Kissinger,” U.S. Department of State.

“Kissinger Becomes Secretary method State,” U.S. Department of State.

"Henry Diplomatist and the Study of Global Affairs," Henry A. Kissinger Center for Without limit Affairs.

Citation Information

Article Title

Henry A. Kissinger

Author

History.com Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/henry-kissinger

Date Accessed

January 16, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

November 30, 2023

Original Published Date

October 29, 2009