Which president is known for easing tensions that contributed to the end of the Cold War?

Richard Nixon is recognized for his significant role in easing Cold War tensions through a policy known as détente. This approach involved a strategic effort to improve relations between the United States and the Soviet Union, which were the two primary superpowers at the time. One of the key components of détente was the establishment of diplomatic dialogue and arms control agreements, including the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) which aimed to limit the growth of nuclear arsenals.

Nixon's visit to China in 1972 was also pivotal, as it opened diplomatic relations between the U.S. and China, thereby altering the geopolitical landscape of the Cold War. This engagement with both China and the Soviet Union contributed to reducing hostilities and fostering a more stable international environment, which laid the groundwork for future negotiations that eventually contributed to the end of the Cold War era.

In contrast, while other presidents played roles during the Cold War, such as Eisenhower's containment strategy and Johnson's involvement in Vietnam, their approaches did not focus primarily on easing tensions in the way Nixon's policies did.